Coventry University in England has relaunched its Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) as part of a £6 million ($7 million) investment, expanding its facilities and introducing a digital replica in the metaverse.
The relaunch includes the addition of nearly 2,000 square meters of space, new teaching and research facilities, six new laboratories, and a robotics and testing area.
The official re-launch event, which occurred today, November 8 at 9 am, featured a unique twist to ensure global participation by offering access through the metaverse. Here, avatars could watch, interact, and pose questions during the live event from the virtual space.
The metaverse space will remain accessible beyond the live event. Hosted on the Spatial metaverse platform, this virtual space allows individuals to participate as avatars, using VR headsets or other devices to explore a digital replica of the AME facility, take part in remote physical sessions, and engage with other metaverse users.
Coventry University’s embrace of the metaverse is in line with a broader trend in the education sector.
The University of Salford recently introduced a virtual MediaCity campus within the metaverse, facilitating interaction and collaborative virtual spaces for students and faculty.
Additionally, in October, the University of Glasgow unveiled plans for a $6.8 million Museum Metaverse project, supported by the UK Government, aiming to revolutionize museum experiences and grant access to hidden collections on a global scale.
