Meta Platforms, formerly Facebook, has teamed up with a French digital training firm to launch a “metaverse academy” in France for the new academic year, as per a Sunday announcement.
Metaverse which is widely viewed as the next iteration of the internet technically refers to an immersive digital world consisting of augmented or virtual reality and transforms the web from 2D to 3D.
As per the press release, the initial goal for the school would be to train for free around 100 students in two roles, specialist immersive technology developers and support and assistance technicians, Meta’s vice president for southern Europe Laurent Solly told AFP.
The teaching would be imparted in-person and revolve around projects, with a focus on the 3D world and interactions in the virtual universes, said Frederic Bardeau, co-founder and boss of Simplon, the Partner French firm
Located in the capital Paris and other cities including Lyon, Marseille, and Nice, the new academy will train 20 students per city each year.
Diversity would also be given particular attention. Solly said 30% of the first batch would be reserved for women.
Meta To Soon Launch Crypto Exchange
Back in October 2021, the tech firm said it intended to create 10,000 jobs in Europe in five years’ time to build the virtual world the US technology giant’s new strategic priority.
Till May 2022, it has filed five trademark applications in the U.S. for its newly rebranded payments product, Meta Pay. The applications indicate that the company may have plans to launch a slew of crypto-related products and services, including a crypto exchange and a wallet.
A week earlier, fintech head Stephane Kasriel said that the new payment projet wants to provide a cross-platform “single wallet experience.”
The trademarks, filed on May 13 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, aim to protect Meta’s newly acquired brand name “Meta Pay” as well as its associated logos and symbols related to a variety of crypto-related products and services, including a crypto wallet, a trading service, and an online social networking service for investors.
The trademark applications also suggest that platform is looking to enter into crypto lending, card, and investment services.