【Text: Manager Chih-Yi Lin of the Digital Content Design Research Center; Edited by: Public Affairs Section】

【Translator： Ya-Hsin Wan】

【Promotion of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) series】

2025-02-21 Promoting Digital Education Innovation and Fulfilling University Social Responsibility, the National University of Kaohsiung officially launched the Ministry of Education’s "5G New Technology Learning Demonstration Project – Educational Metaverse Innovation Applications" today (21st). Partnering with multiple elementary and secondary schools in Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung, the initiative aims to create a collaborative digital learning environment, enhancing teaching quality and student learning experiences.

The event took place today at the Library and Information Center of the National University of Kaohsiung, opening with a theatrical performance by two students, Yung-Chi Chen from Fushan Elementary School and Chia-Chen Hsu from Fushan Junior High School in Kaohsiung. Their performance showcased the achievements of the "Educational Marketplace" VR teaching materials, guiding attendees from the education sector into a new era of digital learning. The event also featured achievements from the previous phase of the project (2023-2024), highlighting efforts to integrate virtual reality (VR), extended reality (XR), and educational metaverse technologies into teaching applications.

Hui-Ying Teng, Section Chief of the Department of Information and Technology Education at the Ministry of Education, along with National University of Kaohsiung's Vice President, Academic Affairs Shiow-Huey Chuang, Chief Secretary Shing-Tai Pan, and Dean of Academic Affairs Chih-Hung Chang, joined key project leaders, including Professor Sheng-Yi  Wu from National Tsing Hua University, Associate Professor Cheng-Hung Wang from National University of Kaohsiung, and Associate Professor Po-Han Wu from National University of Tainan. Together, they officially launched the 5G light pillar with a "Give Me Five" gesture, symbolizing the formal commencement of the project.

Hui-Ying Teng stated that since the launch of the 5G New Technology Learning Demonstration Project in 2021, many teachers and students have achieved outstanding and distinctive results. She expressed gratitude to the National University of Kaohsiung for its efforts in implementation and promotion. Looking ahead, the project will continue to be expanded and refined, supporting more schools in embracing a highly interactive and immersive learning era through new technology applications.

As the host representative, Shiow-Huey Chuang welcomed and acknowledged the participation of partners from higher education and K-12 education. She emphasized that the National University of Kaohsiung, as the leading institution for the Southern Region 5G New Technology Learning Demonstration Project, is committed to integrating and implementing cutting-edge technologies, embedding VR, XR, and Educational Metaverse into everyday teaching. She expressed confidence that, through the application of advanced digital tools and continuous support, students will be well-equipped to become future leaders in the digital era.

Cheng-Hung Wang outlined the key highlights of the project, which focus on "Integrating VR into Teaching," "Innovative Applications of the Educational Metaverse," and "XR Digital Collaborative Learning." The project team not only supports participating schools in incorporating VR and Educational Metaverse into their teaching but also provides advanced XR technology support to K-12 education, serving as a model for innovative educational applications.

The event also featured multiple thematic discussions covering topics such as natural sciences, interdisciplinary education, and the educational metaverse, bringing together teacher communities from various fields. Professors Po-Han Wu from the National University of Tainan, Hsu-Chan Kuo from the National Cheng Kung University, and Chih-Hung Wu from the National University of Kaohsiung led participating educators in discussions on integrating VR and the educational metaverse into teaching.

Additionally, the conference invited experts from the K-12 education sector, including Wen-Sheng Li, Hui-Yu Wu, Chen-Hui Li, Hui-Ching Lin, Chia-Li Tien, and Mei-Hui Lu, to share their hands-on experiences. They explored how to effectively incorporate 5G new technologies into the classroom, fostering student engagement and enthusiasm for learning.

#SDG4 @ The Digital Content Design Research Center & Research