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Pakistan is on the brink of an innovative educational shift, as plans unveil the nation’s first university to provide metaverse-based classes.
According to a local news report, the Information Technology University (ITU) in Lahore is set to enable students to attend classes within the metaverse, promising a more immersive experience compared to traditional online classes.
Teachers will have the flexibility to join classes from any location worldwide, simply by donning a virtual reality (VR) headset. Moreover, motion-tracking devices will further enhance the authenticity of the experience by replicating real-life movements within the virtual classroom.
The need for remote connectivity arose significantly during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting educational institutions to seek alternative methods of teaching and learning. Traditional online classes often fell short of delivering a truly engaging, realistic educational experience.
Recognizing this gap, ITU joined forces with the University of Denmark to pilot the integration of the metaverse into its educational programs.
This move aligns with a broader trend within the education sector, as many universities and educational institutions worldwide have been exploring the potential of the metaverse.
For instance, King Saud University recently unveiled a virtual campus within the metaverse, showcasing its Media Department’s facilities and enabling immersive learning experiences for students globally. Similarly, in October 2023, the University of Salford introduced a virtual MediaCity campus within the metaverse, fostering interactive engagement among students and faculty members.
Indeed, the metaverse holds promise in addressing various challenges within the education industry. From replicating real-world classrooms and laboratories to fostering more dynamic and interactive learning interactions, the metaverse offers a compelling alternative to conventional online learning platforms.
Market projections further underscore the growing significance of the metaverse in education. According to Statista, the metaverse education market is anticipated to expand by 42.41% from 2024 to 2030, reaching a market volume of $8.3 billion by 2030.
