20 September 2023
The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) spearheads a collaborative endeavour with Hong Kong Chu Hai College, HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE), and the University of Hong Kong (HKU), to develop the groundbreaking Metaverse Platform for Problem-Based Collaborative Learning on Logistics, Heritage and Journalism themes in Hong Kong. By utilising Virtual Reality (VR) technology, users experience immersive virtual learning across scenarios such as air cargo and warehouse operations, lost heritage reconstruction of Grade 1 historical building, Haw Par Mansion, and journalism live news reporting in an earthquake incident. This platform allows users across various locations to learn as a team collaborating and solving problems in designated stations, within the same virtual environment in real-time with performance assessment and evaluation. The project has received funding of over HK$8.7 million from the Quality Enhancement Support Scheme (QESS) of the Education Bureau.
The launch ceremony of the platform was held at HSUHK today. Professor Simon Ho Shun- man, President of HSUHK, thanked DHL Express, Kerry Logistics, and Aw Boon Haw Foundation for their support to the project. He said, “Education has become more than just textbooks and traditional classrooms. The joint efforts of the four institutions have resulted in a metaverse platform that is not only user-friendly but also scalable and adaptable to various educational settings. Whether it’s a work training programme, a university, or a lifelong learning programme, this platform will revolutionise how education and training are delivered and received. It will also foster interaction and teamwork collaboration among students, as well as between academia and industry.”
Dr Eugene Wong Yin-cheung, Director of Virtual Reality Centre of HSUHK, said, “There is a high demand for the metaverse in education over the world. The metaverse and virtual reality facilitate better teaching and learning beyond the time and space. We have developed in-depth problem-based collaborative learning context for students in practicing professional skills in logistics, journalism and heritage. We are glad to receive positive feedback on reconstructing the lost heritage of Haw Par Mansion for education and cultural preservation. Thanks to the team effort and everyone who has supported in the project development.”
The heritage-themed metaverse platform context reconstructs Haw Par Mansion in virtual form. This reconstruction was supported by the Antiquities and Monuments Office and Ms Sally Aw. References were also taken from old photographs of the Mansion. Through VR devices, users can visit and appreciate the Mansion’s ornate pagoda, wall mural of Ten Courts of Hell, and the Tiger Balm Garden. The platform also offers various problem-based collaborative learning stations, including a heritage figurine reconstruction workshop, interior design, event management, and antiques collection, to deepen learning experiences.
The logistics-themed metaverse platform involved a collaboration with two major logistics companies in Hong Kong to simulate actual operational processes, including air cargo screenings, acceptance checking, recovery actions, and cargo load planning for express and freight forwarding cargo in a warehouse. These simulations represent the first metaverse collaboration model in Hong Kong. Users can visualise and understand the intricacies of air cargo terminal operations, including facilities layouts, material handling systems, the flow of unit load devices and airside operations.
The journalism-themed metaverse was designed based on an earthquake disaster scenario, making it the first collaborative learning scene in Hong Kong with a natural disaster theme for journalism interview teaching. Through VR device, user can have an immersive virtual experience where they are taught how to deliver breaking news. This training helps develop users’ skills in reporting news from high-stress scenarios, as well as in a newsroom setting. It enhances their knowledge and capabilities in journalism and communication, as well as crisis management and responsiveness in breaking news situations.
