As part of its ongoing work with universities, Meta has announced its Meta for Education beta program, which will see the tech giant partner with universities in the US and UK to test its new education applications for Quest headsets.

Participating institutions will be expected to provide feedback as Meta works to transform the way institutions teach through metaverse technologies. 

The program will include over a dozen colleges and universities across the US and UK, including Arizona State University, Houston Community College, Imperial College London, Miami Dade College, Morehouse College, New Mexico State University, San Diego State University, Savannah College of Art & Design, The University of Glasgow, University of Iowa, University of Leeds, University of Miami, and University of Michigan.

The universities are signed up to try out VR and XR prototypes as Meta tests its products ahead of an official launch.

Combining virtual and mixed reality, Meta said the technology makes it possible to “create immersive experiences that deepen learning and understanding beyond what is possible in the physical world”, noting the ability to simulate field trips to distant museums as well as providing “risk-free hands-on training”.

Meanwhile, in a further signal that Europe is opening up to the VR, the continent’s first three “digital twin metaversities” have launched, built by VictoryXR, and backed by a Meta grant.

University of Leeds, University of the Basque Country and University of Hannover are trailblazers for the European movement, following the multiple institutions across the US that have already embedded the technology in their offerings.

Participating institutions will be able to deliver live classes remotely, in an immersive environment that mirrors their physical campuses.

Dean of online learning and digital education in Leeds, Margaret Korosec, commented: “We are excited to have a virtual campus for those who wouldn’t otherwise come to campus and to have that experience of being in Leeds and experience the opportunity to be able to walk around, engage and speak with others in the space.”

Immersive classes at Leeds have already begun and have so far focused on performance and theatre classes.

“It’s an opportunity to look at where we are going with our fully online degrees but also how we can serve our campus students who are curious about what the Leeds experience might be. It’s really exciting,” added Korosec.

Matthew Sanders, Meta’s education and VR director of global affairs commented: “Universities teaching and using the metaverse is not science fiction. It’s not some distant reality. It’s happening right now in some of the most innovative universities in the US and Europe.”

Universities teaching and using the metaverse is not science fiction. It’s not some distant reality.
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Elsewhere in the world, a transformative partnership between Australian and Canadian universities is using virtual reality to break down barriers for Indigenous students seeking study abroad opportunities.

The program, which saw 20 Indigenous students from three Canadian institutions visit the University of Wollongong in Australia, is the first to bring together Indigenous mobility experiences and immersive VR technologies.