According to an official press release, Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province in eastern China, revealed and inaugurated the China Metaverse Technology and Application Innovation Platform on May 22.
Developed by the Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST) in collaboration with academic institutions and metaverse-related companies, the platform aims to drive research and development in the metaverse field.
The platform’s introduction took place during the Nanjing 2023 Metaverse Application Co-creation Conference, an event that attracted over 200 metaverse experts, scholars, and business representatives from universities, research institutions, and enterprises.
The platform will enable the progress of metaverse-related disciplines, promoting stronger collaboration among campuses, schools, and enterprises. It also seeks to drive innovation and development in the metaverse industry, opening up new avenues for economic growth. Additionally, the Jianye District, one of 11 districts of Nanjing, plans to leverage the platform to expand its own metaverse industrial cluster.
This initiative builds upon Nanjing University’s previous efforts in the metaverse space, as the university renamed its Department of Information Engineering to the Department of Metaverse Engineering in 2022.
China has been actively engaged in Web3 technologies, exemplified by the country’s launch of its first regulated non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace in January 2023. In addition, the Shanghai Fengxian District introduced the “Tax Metaverse” last month, a virtual world aimed at enhancing the tax payment experience and efficiency.
Metaverse education has also gained traction in other parts of Asia. In July 2022, Tokyo’s Todai University announced the incorporation of metaverse courses to provide students with skills in artificial intelligence, next-generation communication technologies, and more. Likewise, in February 2022, Sungkyunkwan University distributed NFT-based award certificates to deserving graduates as a gesture of recognition for their outstanding achievements.
