World's 1st blockchain university to begin teaching in 2019

A team of Oxford academics hopes to bring university education into the 21st century with the world's first "blockchain university" when teaching begins early next year.

The pioneers at Woolf University will use blockchain, the technology behind crypto-currencies such as bitcoins, to provide a system of one-to-one education that will test cheaper for students and pay more for teachers. Forbes recently described the university as "uber for students and airbnb for academics."

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Why blockchain?

Woolf is the first university to use its own blockchain data ledger but it is certainly not the first to investigate the potential of this new technology.

Arizona State University has its own "Blockchain Research Lab" on a "see this technology positively impact the world." The college defines blockchain as "a decentralized, digital ledger system" that is "a chain because additions or changes can only be made by adding new information to the end. "

In other words, blockchain is a digital storage system in which any data entry can not be changed. Personal effects of their data.

It has been associated with cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin where the data is protected from outside interference.

"Woolf's blockchain is designed to cut the middle layer of bureaucracy between the classroom and the regulator," Joshua Broggi, Woolf founder and director, told ABC News.

"Brande, a research fellow at the University of Oxford, Faculty of Theology and Religion.

Tutorials, without the need for a traditionally resource-intensive university bureaucracy. Woolf tuition will be $ 19,200 a year.

Doubts

But there is some skepticism about the technology is really needed in higher education.

"At a fundamental level, the project misunderstands what at university education is about," Michele Finck, author of "Blockchain Regulation and Governance in Europe," said, expressing doubt.

"There is also the educational element in a strict sense, but more broadly, it's also about learning a range of soft skills and being part of a real-world community that supports, stimulates and challenges you in your way into adulthood."

Finck doubts that Woolf University will pass European data protection laws and applies the financial aspect to huge obstacle, she said.

"From an economic perspective," Finck said. "Tuition costs are $ 19,200 a year. Many [universities] could benefit from embracing technology. It's really not clear to me what blockchain would add to education. "

Woolf University

A borderless university

Borderless university. "

"We literally could not do without blockchain," Broggi, Woolf's founder, said. "I very much hope is the future of education. Woolf aims to solve two big problems in higher education: adjunct teaching and student access. "

Blockchain technology, meanwhile, will garner "very significant cost savings and this is crucial for student access," he said.

Broggi added. "We need to see fresh thinking about higher education because of the largest group of students in human history.

"Globally, we are not prepared for that. We would need to build hundreds of new universities. I think Woolf can meet part of that need. "