University Academy 92 (UA92) is to hand out NFTs to its students as it announced plans to join the metaverse in 2023.
Old Trafford-based UA92, which was launched by Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville in partnership with Lancaster University, has worked with DigiSomni and its Vircadia open source platform to build its virtual world "as it seeks to open its campus to global audiences and better serve international and remote students".
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UA92 said its plans to award NFTs to its graduates is a global first in the education sector.
As part of its plans, UA92 will provide lectures, presentations, character and personal development advice zones, well-being activities, campus tours and events on the virtual platform.
The open source platform will also allow students to help build and contribute to the development of the metaverse environment, a skill which will be taught directly through UA92 bootcamp courses.
Aaron Saxton, director of disruptive learning at UA92, said: "We are extremely proud to be launching our metaverse world in January 2023.
"This is a huge step forward for education. It enables us not only to serve our students here in Manchester with the next big thing in digital learning, but also bring our sense of community to students who cannot physically join us on campus here in Manchester and collaborate with them in growing our virtual facility.
"We have followed the growth of the metaverse, Web 3.0, and the innovations around the sector closely for a number of years, and we feel this is a prime time to be launching our digital campus and NFT achievements.
"We are once again showcasing our trailblazing innovation in education and the differences that UA92 offers compared to more traditional education facilities, and we look forward to welcoming our students both on campus and virtually in the New Year."
Kalila Lang, founder and CEO at DigiSomni and Vircadia, added: "We are so happy to be at the frontier of XR and metaverse, pioneering the future of education with the trailblazing students and faculty at UA92."
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