The University of Tokyo, also known as Todai will soon update the range of study programs later this year that will take place in the Metaverse. The project intends to address the lack of skilled personnel working on rapidly evolving technologies in Japan that include “digital transformation” and “advanced technologies.”
The courses will be offered to students ranging from high school to adult learners in the workforce according to a July 23 report from local news outlet The Asahi Shimbun.
The publication declared that the Metaverse study programs will not be delivered via its own dedicated faculty that offers degrees, but will instead operate under Todai’s faculty of Engineering and engineering-related graduate schools. Students who complete the courses will receive certificates.
University officials also claimed that studying in the Metaverse will also create a situation in which “anyone, regardless of age, gender, social standing, and area of residence, can learn about engineering and information science.”
Though Crypto and NFTs weren’t mentioned but considering the sector is often associated with the metaverse and boasts a number of popular metaverse brands, there is likely to be some mention of blockchain-based platforms.
The junior-high and high-school students will receive an introductory view of the space, along with learning about the potential roadmaps to find work in engineering, science, and other related fields. They will have both online and face-to-face lessons. While University students and those already in the workforce will get opportunities to reskill/to upskill via related online courses focused on artificial intelligence (AI), next-gen communication tech, and entrepreneurial education.
The women will be pushed to study programs more, as the lack of female representation in engineering has been identified as an issue.
There have been some notable applications of the Metaverse in Japan over recent months, as local citizens find interesting use cases for the technology.
Japan Today reported On July 25, that a support group from Fukuoka named the JACFA launched a virtual support room in the SecondLife Metaverse platform. The group specifically works on re-integrating Hikkikomori — secluded people that essentially refuse to leave their homes — back into society.
The problem has been emphasized as a big social issue in Japan, and the idea is to enable Hikkikomori to receive initial help without the pressure of being face-to-face.
In April it was also reported that 3,800 students from a total of 29 trade schools (beauty, sports, technology, hospitality, etc) under the NSG College League in Niigata, held their 2022 commencement ceremony in the Metaverse. The event was hosted virtually to let everyone easily attend without facing the risk of getting COVID-19.
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