Frontiers in Educational Research, 2025, 8(12); doi: 10.25236/FER.2025.081219.
Gulijianati Tuheti
Saxo Fintech Business School, University of Sanya, Sanya, China
The rapid evolution of financial technology (FinTech) necessitates continuous innovation in higher education curricula, particularly in areas like digital currency. Traditional teaching methods often struggle with outdated content, insufficient practical application, and low student engagement. This study explores the implementation of a project-driven teaching reform in the "Digital Currency" course within a FinTech undergraduate program. The reform involved restructuring learning objectives, updating course content to include central bank digital currencies (CBDC) and blockchain programming, and adopting a project-based learning (PBL) methodology complemented by case studies and group collaboration. A new assessment system focusing on process and outcomes was also introduced. The reformed course was piloted in the Fall 2024 semester. Results from student surveys and project evaluations indicate a significant increase in student satisfaction (from 78% to 92%), enhanced quality of project outputs, and improved classroom dynamism. This case study concludes that the project-driven model effectively bridges the gap between theory and practice, fostering practical skills and innovative thinking. It offers a replicable pathway for enhancing FinTech education and suggests future directions, including expanding the model to other courses and strengthening industry-academia collaboration.
Project-Based Learning; Curriculum Reform; Digital Currency
Gulijianati Tuheti. Project-Based Learning in Digital Currency Education: A FinTech Curriculum Reform Case Study. Frontiers in Educational Research (2025), Vol. 8, Issue 12: 131-135. https://doi.org/10.25236/FER.2025.081219.
[1] Helle, L., Tynjälä, P., & Olkinuora, E. (2006). Project-based learning in post-secondary education – theory, practice and rubber sling shots. Higher Education, 51(2), 287–314.
[2] Jiang, L., Zhang, L., & Wang, W. (2023). Research on the teaching reform of finance undergraduate programs under the background of FinTech. Financial Technology Time, (5), 78–82.
[3] Liu, S., & Yue, J. (2023). The updating of teaching content and the construction of a practical system in FinTech courses. Higher Education Exploration, (12), 45–50.
[4] Tang, X., Qin, T., & Song, X. (2024). Exploration of teaching reform in “FinTech” course driven by big data—a case study of Beijing Forestry University. China Forestry Education. DOI:10.3969/j.1001-7232.2024193.
[5] Wang, J., Guan, T., Shi, Y., & Wu, D. (2025). An analysis of the path for the digital transformation of the FinTech curriculum model in higher education led by educational digitization. Science and Education Guide, (4).
[6] Mitchell, J., & Tilley, E. (2024). The role of project-based learning at the core of curriculum development. Journal of Project-Based Learning in Higher Education, 12(1), 1–17.
[7] Silaghi, D. L., & Popescu, D. E. (2025). A systematic review of blockchain-based initiatives in higher education institutions. Computers, 14(4), 141.
[8] Samala, A. D., Mhlanga, D., Bojic, L., Howard, N.-J., & Coelho, D. P. (2024). Blockchain technology in education: Opportunities, challenges, and beyond. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies, 18(1), 1–15.
[9] Kumar, J., & Rani, M. (2025). Past, present and future of central bank digital currency: A systematic literature review. Journal of Banking Regulation, 26, 701–720.
[10] International Monetary Fund. (2024). Central bank digital currency: Progress and further considerations. IMF Policy Papers.
[11] Ozili, P. K. (2022). Central bank digital currency research around the world: A review of literature. MPRA Paper No. 111389.
[12] Auer, R., Frost, J., Gambacorta, L., Monnet, C., Rice, T., & Shin, H. S. (2021). Central bank digital currencies: Motives, economic implications and the research frontier. BIS Working Papers No. 976.