LG Uplus, a South Korean telecom provider and subsidiary of LG, recently introduced an innovative metaverse experience at Yonsei University in Seoul.
The metaverse, known as “Meta Yonsei,” replicates the university’s Sinchon campus, offering virtual access to iconic landmarks like the auditorium and library. Additionally, it provides students and faculty with tiered access to digital resources and private meeting spaces.
Unlike other metaverse experiences, Meta Yonsei restricts certain features to verified students. While prospective students and outsiders can explore the campus virtually, only registered students have access to peer meeting tools and specific areas within the metaverse.
According to a report in the local newspaper Chosun Biz, students at Yonsei University have responded positively to the Meta Yonsei experience.
Typically, metaverse experiences tailored to specific communities, such as universities, prioritize social interactions and cater to prospective students or business partners. These experiences often resemble digital museums rather than interactive spaces.
However, Meta Yonsei was specifically designed with productivity in mind. It incorporates tools such as virtual workspaces, video and audio conferencing, and automated annotation and captioning into its team meeting function. This integration encourages students to engage with the metaverse throughout their academic journey.
Moreover, this immersive experience can help prepare students for the modern global workplace, where productivity tools like Google Meet and Zoom, as well as real-time cross-border collaboration, have become the norm.
In addition to these features, Meta Yonsei facilitates structured check-ins and supervised activities for students and faculty. The project announcement in 2023 indicates that the metaverse’s auditorium, a digital replica of the university’s real installation, can accommodate up to a thousand users for virtual events. This includes the opportunity to watch guest speakers and experts on a virtual stage.