Institute for the Future: 2023 in review

As we start the new year, it’s time to reflect on the remarkable achievements of the Institute For the Future (IFF) at the University of Nicosia (UNIC) in 2023. Last year was a testament to our ongoing commitment to education, research, and innovation in blockchain, metaverse, and emerging technologies.🚀

New Academic Program:

Master of Science in Metaverse: IFF launched the pioneering MSc in Metaverse, a first-of-its-kind program aimed at equipping students with skills for careers in metaverse design and management. With a rich history in crypto and blockchain education since 2013, UNIC continues to lead the way in innovative educational offerings, cementing its position as a global leader in tertiary education in cutting-edge technologies!

Funding successes:

NEOLAiA Alliance Grant: The IFF played a pivotal role in the NEOLAiA Alliance’s securing of a 14.25 million euro grant to create an innovative European University. IFF is spearheading the digital transformation of the Alliance, bringing the Metaverse to 9 campuses across Europe.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) Doctoral Network grant: For the first time, the IFF received a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network grant, leading Metaverse research through the “AGORA — trAining younG researchers On shaping Metaverse for business and social vAlue” project.

DIGI4ECO: Set to commence in January 2024, this Horizon Europe funded project aims to advance the management and restoration of marine ecosystems.

TRUST-FOOD project: Launched in 2023, this Digital Europe-funded project focuses on providing access to high-quality and specialised training courses, that will reflect the latest developments in the area of Blockchain technologies applied holistically to the food supply chain and the agri-food sector.

Partnerships and Collaborations:

The Institute has established several new collaborations in 2023, including a partnership with Aleph Zero to advance blockchain technology and education. We also worked with the Dubai Police G.H.Q to offer a diploma program in “Financial Investigations for Digital Assets.”

Awards and Recognitions:

Our free MOOC “NFTs & the Metaverse” was awarded by INATBA for the “Most Exciting Project in Education” in 2023 while Professor Spyros Makridakis was recognized among the most Highly Cited Researchers in the world. Prof Soulla Louca was also recognized as one of the Top 20 Forbes Cyprus Women in Tech, paving the way for women in blockchain!

Issued the first fully on-chain generative art university certificates!

In December 2023, UNIC issued the first fully on-chain generative art university certificates! Every piece is unique and every piece of data, including the metadata, is delivered from the contract. They follow UNIC’s prior innovations in providing BTC-based certificates (2014) and NFT certificates (2022).

Scholarship Programs:

Partnerships with organizations like Binance Charity resulted in a scholarship program for local youth, emphasizing the Institute’s commitment to accessible education in blockchain.

In addition, to further support local and international students in pursuing their educational aspirations, IFF/UNIC announced a scholarship programme worth 300,000€ annually. These scholarships provide financial assistance to exceptional applicants, allowing them to pursue the MSc in Metaverse without financial constraints.

Successful organized M6 Competition and “Future of Forecasting” Conference

The Makridakis Open Forecasting Center (MOFC) at the University of Nicosia’s Institute for the Future succesfully concluded both the M6 Financial Forecasting Competition and the “Future of Forecasting and the M6 Competition” Conference. MOFC hosted in USA New York the “Future of Forecasting and the M6 Competition” Conference; a platform to explore essential aspects of forecasting, including discussions on AI, large language models, and the evolving role of forecasters.

2024, bring it on!

As we bid farewell to an eventful 2023, we eagerly anticipate the new challenges and opportunities that 2024 brings. With a solid foundation laid in the past year(s), IFF is ready to continue its pioneering journey in blockchain and metaverse education.

Our strong record of collaboration through various European-funded projects and industry initiatives, demonstrates how well-positioned we are to contribute to and benefit from both Europe’s and the world’s innovation landscape. We are actively seeking to expand our partnerships and engage in new projects and initiatives! We invite organizations, forward-thinkers, and innovators to reach out if you have a project or idea that aligns with our expertise in blockchain, the metaverse, and emerging technologies.

Let’s make the best of 2024!

Let’s #BUIDL together!