National University has announced plans to launch a new virtual campus that will harness the power of virtual and augmented reality experiences to power teaching, learning and student engagement. Through a collaboration with immersive experience developer Axon Park, the San Diego-based university will build a virtual campus that will enable online learners to explore campus, attend classes, interact with their peers and instructors, and participate in campus activities, just as they would in the physical world.
“Immersive technologies like AR and VR are already having a profound impact on day-to-day consumer experiences, with far-reaching implications for society, education and the world of work. We are just beginning to understand the ways that these powerful, immersive experiences will transform teaching and learning, increase access and engage and captivate students,” said Dr. Mark Milliron, NU’s president and CEO. “This is about creating immersive and engaging experiences that can bring the community of campus – and classroom instruction – into the convenience of the digital world. It’s an exciting next step in our effort to deliver next generation learning experiences for our students.”
With more than 40,000 students, veteran-founded NU is one of the largest private colleges in the U.S. The launch of the new virtual campus comes at a time when a growing number of colleges and universities are beginning to experiment with XR and immersive technologies as a tool for instruction and student engagement. Early research on the impact of AR and VR suggests the immersive and interactive nature of these emerging technologies may help improve content mastery, student engagement and retention.
National University’s virtual campus will launch in 2023 and will initially only be available to students in select programs.
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The first shipment of renewable diesel has arrived at San Diego International Airport (SAN).
“San Diego International Airport is thrilled to begin using renewable diesel to reduce the airport’s carbon footprint, improve local air quality and help meet our sustainability goals,” said Kimberly Becker, president and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “We thank our airlines for their cooperation and partnership during this process.”
Renewable diesel can reduce emissions by up to 75 percent compared to petroleum diesel. Becker said the sustainable fuel is now being used in all diesel-powered airside (non-road) vehicles and equipment, such as baggage tugs, belt loaders, and firefighting vehicles. Approximately 30 percent of all airside vehicles and equipment at SAN are now “alternative fuel” because of the switch from petroleum diesel to renewable diesel.
Scott Carrington, fuel category manager at Southwest Airlines and chair of the SAN Fuel Company, said: “This partnership is a great example of collaboration between the airport and its airline business partners and it provides a model for others to replicate.”
Renewable diesel is made from vegetable oil, animal fats and agricultural waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill. The diesel fuel is chemically identical to fossil fuel-derived diesel — and is delivered to the airport in a renewably fueled diesel-powered truck.
