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HKUST launches first virtual campus in the metaverse

HKUST launches first virtual campus in the metaverse
Image Credits: Ironity

In a press release, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announced it will be establishing the world’s first physical-digital twin campuses in the Metaverse in September. 

There, the students can use visualization tools, cameras,  virtual reality (VR) headsets, and sensors to take classes, interact with peers and attend open days on a virtual campus. Students in both Hong Kong and Guangzhou can also take their classes at the same time at an extended-reality classroom project co-led by HKUST professors by Wang Yang, the Project Lead of MetaHKUST, and Pan Hui, the director of the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity.

During the initial testing phase, special teaching and learning aids like VR headsets and sensors will be installed in XR classrooms, where staff and students can be onboarded in a crowdsourced scanning of the physical campuses.

Moreover, HKUST staff and attendees will come up with their own virtual contents, developing their own avatars, and designing non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for use in MetaHKUST.

In addition to leading the way on educational metaverse applications, HKUST was also amongst the first universities to introduce interdisciplinary teaching and e-learning. As the university website reads: “MetaHKUST is yet another major initiative of HKUST to facilitate immersive learning and connect students and research activities across different geographical locations.”

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