By building MetaHKUST, the organization plans to create a quasi-learning environment that connects the two campuses – in Hong Kong and Guangzhou.
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has announced that it will host a virtual reality classroom launch party on Metaverse on September 1. The launch marks the beginning of HKUST’s plans to promote Immersive learning by building a virtual campus in Metaverse, called MetaHKUST.
An academic from HKUST told the South China Morning Post that the launch of the mixed reality classroom symbolizes the opening of a new facility in the city of Guangzhou, Hong Kong. Pan Hui, professor in charge of computer arts and communication at the Guangzhou campus, added that:
“A lot of guests may be overseas and not be able to attend [the opening], so we will hold the event in a metaverse manner.”
By building MetaHKUST, the organization plans to create a quasi-learning environment that connects the two campuses – in Hong Kong and Guangzhou. By connecting virtually every campus, HKUST hopes to help students overcome geographical restrictions when taking classes.
While universities across the globe turn to services like Zoom to conduct classes online during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hui believes studying in the Metaverse is a better option for students as it promotes higher engagement, adding:
“Through virtual reality, you can feel as if you are there. The way you interact with the students around you will increase your learning outcomes.”
Despite the technology’s novelty, Wang Yang, vice president of institutional development at HKUST, said Metaverse is “here to survive”.
Adding to the long list of use cases that Metaverse has to offer, Singapore’s Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong has decided to use the start-up technology in marriage, dispute and court proceedings. and government services.
Tong backs up his claim by highlighting instances when intimate events such as marriage ceremonies were held at the Metaverse, adding:
“It would be unthinkable that, in addition to marriage registration, other government services could soon be accessed online through Metaverse.”
Tong stated that the addition of such technology would not prevent traditional offline hearings from taking place and would rather suggest an “integrated platform” that could expedite the dispute resolution process. He noted that “there can always be a hybrid element.”