[Courtesy of LG Uplus]
Cheongju University in Cheongju, about 112 kilometers (69 miles) south of Seoul, partnered with LG Uplus (LGU+) to break the boundary between offline and virtual learning environments through the metaverse campus called "Meta-Life." Using avatars, residents can also visit the metaverse campus, which is to open in February 2023. Students can learn English in a special zone based on New York City's major crosstown street called "42nd Street."
The university would create an environment where two-way communication is active, such as applying games developed by students to the metaverse platform. "As the development of virtual convergence technology increases a desire to experience and learn in digital space, our metaverse platform will serve as a catalyst for the integration of offline and online campuses and the revitalization of student communities," Hong Young-ki, a faculty member in charge of education innovation, said in a statement on November 18.
A video showing a virtual entrance ceremony at Soonchunhyang University that was held in collaboration with K-pop girl band aespa in February 2022 has gained popularity on YouTube, surpassing 11 million views. The four-member girl band welcomed new students through their special performance in the video where many facilities including the school's gate and street were actualized.
Soonchunhyang University held South Korea's first non-face-to-face entrance ceremony amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, allowing freshmen to meet professors and colleagues using avatars. Welcome packages including VR headsets, quarantine kits and USBs were handed out in advance.
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