CNU announced on August 20 that it decided to build a virtual campus using “metaverse” technology. CNU has recently launched a Metaverse Campus Planning Committee and it has been preparing to establish the campus at the university in phases while considering current technological circumstances. By opening the metaverse-based campus, the university aims to provide courses without a spatial barrier and in a space with a high sense of reality. The word “metaverse,” which is a compound word formed by combining “meta” and “universe,” refers to an immersive virtual space with experiences, in which people are able to engage in a variety of activities and to interact with each other on the Internet. The CNU’s metaverse campus will allow students to take regular courses and to participate in various on-campus activities using their avatars to be able to present themselves through facial expressions and actions in the virtual space.

Joo Chung-min (Professor, Dept. of Communication), who is a chairperson of the planning committee, said, “CNU will start the metaverse campus with several courses next semester. It will gradually be applied to host the CNU annual festival, graduation and entrance ceremonies.” Students are expecting this change to the learning environment and looking for how to access the virtual campus. Ko Seong-bin (Junior, School of Chemical Engineering) said, “I expect that the metaverse campus will be able to help students who entered CNU during the pandemic get to know the school better. I also did not expect to see the school festival again, but thanks to this technology, I am excited to enjoy the festival again.”

By Baek Du-jin, Editor-in-Chief