CelcomDigi Metaversity™ to bring metaverse, XR, and AI learning and education solutions to universities

• Driving innovative learning with Ministry of Higher Education to reimagine education
• Collaboration with 10 unis to pioneer learning and develop next-gen IR4.0 talent

CelcomDigi Bhd through its Innovation Centre launched Malaysia’s first experiential and immersive learning environment - CelcomDigi Metaversity™. Utilising metaverse, extended reality (XR), and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, supported by CelcomDigi’s 5G and fibre connectivity for optimal digital experience, this initiative will accelerate the development of Malaysia’s future talents’ AI-based emerging technologies expertise and spur the innovation of digital solutions for academia and enterprises.

The CelcomDigi Metaversity™ reimagines tertiary education by applying cutting-edge technology such as metaverse, XR, AI, robotics, and 5G in its immersive learning modules, to enable students with “hands-on” digital learning experiences in a virtual world and deepen their technical expertise for these in-demand competencies.

These immersive learning modules will open doors for students to apply their skills and create innovation opportunities across industry sectors such as healthcare, engineering, robotics, cybersecurity and more. Students who enrol in the immersive learning course will be given a metaverse certification by VIRNECT and XRA upon completion.  CelcomDigi’s Metaversity™ has implemented multiple use-cases in various faculties with six local universities, such as virtual museum, medical teaching hospital, car manufacturing, robotics, cyber security, and oil and gas engineering.

CelcomDigi Metaversity™ is a collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and was launched by Mustapha Sakmud, Deputy Minister of Higher Education. CelcomDigi and the Ministry of Higher Education are also collaborating to drive the adoption and implementation of innovative metaverse, XR, and AI learning and education solutions across 21 universities nationwide.

A total of 10 universities namely Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), MAHSA University, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), have also pledged their commitment to adopt CelcomDigi Metaversity™'s immersive learning modules. As the preferred connectivity provider for these universities, CelcomDigi will support with fibre connectivity and a range of digital IoT solutions to aid in the transformation journey of these tertiary institutions.

“Metaverse learning and education is an innovative method that opens many possibilities for our future talent to seize and experience. It is also a notable feat for CelcomDigi in spearheading this initiative towards innovating future-forward solutions that will inspire Malaysian students. We call upon more education institutions, as well as technology and industry players, to reimagine and revolutionise the nation’s education system together and bring our nation’s talents to greater heights,” said Mustapha.

Idham Nawawi, CEO of CelcomDigi said, “AI is changing the world and Malaysia needs to be ready. Our ambitions here are clear - we want to help accelerate the preparedness of Malaysia’s future talents and position our homegrown universities as some of the most advanced learning institutions in the region. By leveraging the power of 5G, AI, metaverse, and Internet of Things technologies, we can enhance how we educate and train our future doctors, engineers, scientists, and technicians alike.”

CelcomDigi’s Metaversity™ initiative began in Sept 2023 through a collaboration with VIRNECT and XRA to develop experiential learning and education using Metaverse, for Malaysian universities. The collaboration with homegrown universities aims to produce industry-ready graduates who are skilled in metaverse applications, transforming beyond traditional knowledge and learning programmes and accelerate the development Malaysia’s future talents with AI-based digital growth.

The use cases by six Malaysian universities under CelcomDigi’s Metaversity™ to date:

• University Malaya (UM) Virtual Museum – Creating a virtual environment to display university artifacts, enabling students with easy access for learning and training.
• Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) Medical Teaching Hospital – Training on how to teach junior doctors to manage Pericardiocentesis situations - a procedure to remove fluid that has built up in the sac around the heart (pericardium)
• Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Car Manufacturing – A comprehensive augmented reality for students to learn, identify and familiarise vehicle parts. They can also attempt to repair components within the virtual realm.
• Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) – Robotics -Augmented reality step by step guide for robotic arm installation learning and training
• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Cyber Security – Cyber security simulation and problem-solving training during crisis
• Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) O&G Engineering – Manufacturing plant simulation and developing training expertise.