The University of Tokyo will offer a series of engineering courses using metaverse technology. The courses, which are expected to be offered later this year, will introduce students to engineering subjects and combine their knowledge with skills in working with metaverse-based worlds to manage the digital transformations that work and educational environments undergo.
University of Tokyo to Introduce Metaverse-Based Courses Later This Year
Institutions are beginning to recognize the power of metaverse platforms as a tool to be leveraged in the teaching and learning process. The University of Tokyo, one of Japan’s most prestigious institutions of higher education, recentlyannounced plans to offer metaverse-based engineering courses.
The courses in the metaverse will not be degree-based, but will be established by the university’s engineering department and will have two objectives. One is to introduce high school students to the University of Tokyo’s potential engineering and information science career paths. The other is to address the lack of personnel who can handle digital tools and new technologies in these academic environments.
The details of the metaverse platform that will be used for these tasks have not been disclosed by the University. The new project will offer courses in artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship education, and next-generation communication technologies. Students who complete these courses will receive certification from the University of Tokyo and will also be able to participate in face-to-face classes to complement their online activities.
According to reports, the university will focus on recruiting women because of the low participation of women in engineering courses.
Metaverse-Based Learning
The rise of the metaverse as a platform for many activities has led more companies and institutions to operate in this alternate world. A May survey by Argentine software company Globant found that 66% consider virtual learning as one of the metaverse applications that will change people’s lives in the next decade. Such learning environments can also serve as an introduction to remote work, another trend that some companies have adopted since the Covid-19 craze.
However, current metaverse technology may not yet be suitable for this type of application, according to a study conducted by researchers from Coburg University, Cambridge University, Primorska University, and Microsoft Research.
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