Kansas City Digital Drive, the KC Futures DAO, and UNIC’s Institute For the Future Partner to Expand Web3 Education Opportunities for the Kansas City Region

Kansas City Digital Drive (KCDD), representing the KC Futures DAO, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of the Future (IFF) of the University of Nicosia.  This collaboration aims to enhance access to blockchain, digital currency, and metaverse education, to empower the Kansas City community with innovative skills for the digital economy.

The MoU aligns with the KC Futures DAO’s vision to position Kansas City as a leader in entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, sustainability, research, and the arts. Together with KCDD and the University of Nicosia, the KC Futures DAO is driving the future of Web3 education and economic development in Kansas City.

As part of the partnership, UNIC will offer its free Mastering Web3 MOOC starting in February 2025 to all Kansas City Digital Drive members. This 12-week course will provide participants with a comprehensive overview of Web3 technologies, covering blockchain, cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and the Metaverse. Successful participants will be awarded with a blockchain-verifiable certificate of accomplishment from UNIC. In addition, KCDD and KC Futures DAO members will be eligible for exclusive discounts on UNIC’s leading Master’s programs in Blockchain and Digital Currency, the MSc in Metaverse, and Academic Certification Programmes.

Looking ahead, the partnership plans to introduce the KC Futures DAO Scholarships, a new initiative aimed at providing financial support for its members pursuing UNIC’s blockchain programs. UNIC’s Institute for the Future (IFF) will also offer tailored professional training programs focused on blockchain and Web3 technologies, specifically designed to meet the needs of KCDD and KC Futures DAO members.

Finally, KCDD will work alongside UNIC to support its blockchain students and alumni in securing career opportunities within the blockchain and digital assets sectors, ensuring a strong connection between education and employment within the industry.

Aaron Deacon, Managing Director of Kansas City Digital Drive, expressed his excitement about the partnership: “This agreement represents a significant milestone in our efforts to establish Kansas City as a global hub for blockchain innovation. By providing our community with access to top-tier educational resources and job opportunities, we’re building the foundation for a tech-forward future.”

Hazal Aripinar, Business Development and Enrollment Manager of IFF, UNIC echoed these sentiments: “Our collaboration with Kansas City Digital Drive and the KC Futures DAO is an exciting opportunity to expand the reach of Web3 education. We are dedicated to empowering KCDD and KC Futures DAO members, along with their community partners, with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the rapidly evolving digital economy.”

It’s worth noting that both parties were connected through Mr. Edward Manoukian, a recent graduate of UNIC’s MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency program and a resident of the Kansas City region.

About Kansas City Digital Drive
Kansas City Digital Drive is a non-profit organization dedicated to using technology to improve the lives of residents and drive the city’s digital transformation. As KC Futures DAO’s key partner, the KCDD leads initiatives that foster innovation and inclusivity in Kansas City’s tech ecosystem.

About the Institute For the Future
The Institute For the Future (IFF) is a leading global provider of education and research in blockchain, digital assets, and Web3. As an interdisciplinary research centre at the University of Nicosia (UNIC), it aims to advance emerging technologies and contribute to their effective application in industry, government, and education. IFF also evaluates the impact of these technologies on employment, wealth inequality, and society at large. Its mission is to educate leaders, develop knowledge, and build communities to help society prepare for a future shaped by transformative technologies.

UNIC|IFF operates the world’s first academic programs in digital assets and metaverse, namely the MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency and MSc in Metaverse, including its free flagship online course on Mastering Web3 which has been attended by over 145,000 people from more than 120 countries since 2014 and was recently revamped.

About the KC Futures DAO
The KC Futures DAO’s purpose is to transform Kansas City into a premier global hub for entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, sustainability, research, and the arts. By leveraging blockchain technology, the DAO will showcase and celebrate Kansas City’s diversity and abundance to foster and attract talent inventing the future, investors, and global partnerships.

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