The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the Centre for Immersive Learning and Metaverse in Education (CILME).

This collaboration between EdUHK and PolyU aims to develop a collaborative infrastructure for conducting interdisciplinary research to impact education, and also serve as a powerhouse to study technology-enhanced learning and teaching. The Centre will specifically focus on how immersive experiences, including those from virtual reality and metaverse in general, can enhance students’ cognitive processing, attention, memory, brain function and ultimately learning outcomes.

Combining the strengths and expertise of EdUHK and PolyU in cross-disciplinary research, learning science and pedagogical innovation, CILME will nurture researchers, incubate technology-based innovations in education, and facilitate knowledge transfer in teaching and curriculum design at both institutions and the community at large.

CILME Co-Director Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, EdUHK Vice President (Research and Development) and Peter T. C. Lee Professor in Psychology said, “Educational technology has been the university’s strategic area of development. At EdUHK, we have a strong body of researchers and educators who specialise in learning sciences and pedagogical innovation in the school sector. They are at the forefront of the development of learning theories and the application of innovative technology-based pedagogies in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools. This collaboration synergises EdUHK’s educational technology expertise with PolyU’s strengths in interdisciplinary research. Together, our areas of expertise can make this technology instructive, relevant and interactive for learners, while being adaptable, effective and user-friendly for teachers.”

CILME Co-Director Professor Li Ping, Sin Wai Kin Professor in Humanities and Technology at PolyU said, “In recent years, the education sector has actively uses digital technologies including virtual reality (VR), augment reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and metaverse technologies to bring real world experiences to learners and improve learning effectiveness. With CLIME, researchers and educators will work closely together to develop technological applications and solutions for immersive and active learning. At PolyU, we have sophisticated interdisciplinary research capabilities, a centralised teaching facility in VR/AR, and extensive connection with the industry. Capitalising on our strengths and the collaboration with EdUHK, we are looking to push new frontiers in education and technology for the benefit of learners, educators and the society.”

Under this agreement, the two universities will conduct both basic and applied research in metaverse and immersive technologies, develop practical guidelines to shape the educational values of these technologies for students, and promote the application of immersive learning among teachers and educators through regular workshops, seminars and conferences.