THE National University of Singapore (NUS) is expanding. For just over $4,600, the university has acquired 64 additional acres, or one-sixth of NUS' current 370-acre Kent Ridge campus.

But here is the catch: The new school grounds are sited on Second Life, a virtual role-playing game platform, boasting 12 million players worldwide.

The virtual campus was launched to the NUS community over a three-day roadshow last week. More than 1,000 students registered avatars, or online alter egos.

A replica of NUS' iconic University Hall landmarks the virtual NUS. Music studios, career centres and an internal shuttle bus is expected to be completed this June.

The idea for the project was born two years ago.

Mrs Chew-Goh Swee Wah, the assistant director of NUS' Computer Centre, which spearheaded the project, said:" We were trying to develop an area where students can mingle among themselves or interact with staff and faculty freely."

Eager to incorporate new media trends while building a robust student community, Mrs Chew-Goh and her team turned to Second Life early last year.

Last November, a team of nine NUS student volunteers jumped onboard to give feedback on how to make it more hip. At least three course modules have already been taught in the virtual campus' classrooms since late last year.
More than 300 students took part in this "trial" stage. Setting up an online profile is free, but users must pay to own property.

The best thing about this is that everyone does not need to be in the same place at the same time (for exchange of ideas)," said Mr John Yap, a media producer at NUS' computer centre.

NUS counts Princeton University and the University of Edinburgh as immediate neighbours on Second Life. In Singapore, lecturers at Innova Junior College, Nanyang Polytechnic and Singapore Management University have also been conducting virtual lectures, though NUS is the first university to launch a full virtual campus.