International Symposium 1: The Metaverse and XR Technology – Educational Applications and International Collaboration

Information

In the near future, it is hoped that anyone may be able to learn without restrictions on time and location. To this end, a collaborative environment that transcends time and space using the Metaverse and XR technology may enable online participants to enjoy the same knowledge and exchange experience as face–to–face participants while also allowing face–to–face participation.
Thus, using the Metaverse and XR technology, we will examine how we can contribute to the realization of SDG 4, “Quality education for all.”
Based on case studies conducted by Tohoku University, we will explore the ideal environment for International Collaborative Creation. Initially, high–quality classes will be conducted for small groups of students, with the long-term aim of expanding the size and number of the classes while maintaining quality.
The benefits and challenges of the Metaverse will be identified, as well as challenges to the realization of SDG 4. Recommendations will be made through panel discussions with panelists.

Date

Friday, December 2, 2022 – Saturday, December 3, 2022

Venue

Hybrid
· TOKYO ELECTRON House of Creativity 3F, Lecture Theater, Katahira Campus, Tohoku University [Access]
· Online

Registration [Nov. 28, 2022 Updated]

Registration Fee: Free
You can participate in just part of the program.
Language：Japanese

Registration deadline: ~~Friday, November 18, 2022 16:00 (JST)~~ Thursday, December 1, 2022 16:00 (JST)
*Deadline has been extended.
– Closed
*Please register by clicking on the link above.
*The Zoom link will be sent after the deadline.

Metaverse Participation

We will also accept requests to participate in the Metaverse on December 2 and 3.

*Metaverse Salon
On December 3, during the panel discussion from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., at the VR Chat venue, we will be offering a "Metaverse Salon*" where you can talk while watching the discussion. (The VR Chat venue is by the VRC Science Assembly, an organization that conducts academic exchanges in the Metaverse.)

Numbers are limited, so please register as soon as possible.
As for the link and other details, we will send them to you after the deadline.
Registration deadline: ~~Friday, November 25, 2022 16:00 (JST)~~ Thursday, December 1, 2022 16:00 (JST)
*Deadline has been extended.
– Closed
*Please register by clicking on the link above.

Capacity

Onsite: 40
Online: 500

Keynote Speakers

Masaru Kitsuregawa (Director–General, National Institute of Informatics / The University of Tokyo)
Hirotsugu Takizawa (Executive Vice President for Education and Student Support, Tohoku University)

Invited Speakers

Tomohiro Amemiya (The University of Tokyo)
Masako Hayashi (Tohoku University)
Akitaka Higashi (Kanazawa University)
Tomohiro Kawanabe (National Institute of Information and Communications Technology)
Yoshifumi Kitamura (Tohoku University)
Yusuke Morita (Waseda University)
Masayuki Ohzeki (Tohoku University)
Shin Takamura (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications) [Cancelled]
Hiroki Tanaka (Cluster, Inc.)
Yasunari Ueda (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
Satoru Yanagishima (Tohoku Bureau of Telecommunications, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)
Faruco (Virtual Conference)
Kuroly (VRC Science Assembly)

Panel Discussion

Agus Budi Cahyono (Brawijaya University)
Masako Hayashi (Tohoku University)
Hirokazu Igarashi (Tohoku University)
Njeri Kagema (United States International University – Africa)
Rie Oguma (Ghent University)
Ryan Spring (Tohoku University)
Takuo Suganuma (Tohoku University)
Kazuki Takashima (Tohoku University)
Hiroki Tanaka (Cluster, Inc.)
Zhishen You (Dalian University of Technology)

Time Schedule

Friday, December 2, 2022
Chair: Norihiro Nakamura (Tohoku University): 13:30 – 13:40; Opening Remarks; Hideo Ohno (President, Tohoku University)

Keynote Lectures: 13:40 – 14:10; Hirotsugu Takizawa (Executive Vice President for Education and Student Support, Tohoku University); Application of XR Technology and Metaverse in Education and Research at Tohoku University

14:10 – 15:10

Masaru Kitsuregawa (Director–General, National Institute of Informatics / The University of Tokyo)

Opportunity of Metaverse for Education

15:10 – 15:30

Break

Invited Lectures: 15:30 – 16:00; Masayuki Ohzeki (Tohoku University)[Online]; Quantum Annealing and its Potential to Education Program

16:00 – 16:30

Tomohiro Amemiya (The University of Tokyo)[Online]

Educational Applications of Metaverse and VR Technology: Possibilities and Limitations

16:30 – 17:00

Masako Hayashi (Tohoku University)

International Collaborative Learning – Connecting the World in Metaverse

17:00 – 17:30

Yusuke Morita (Waseda University)[Online]

Metaverse as a Virtual Learning Environment for Increasing Social and Emotional Engagement

17:30 – 17:55

Yasunari Ueda (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)

Creator Economy in the Metaverse, and Interoperability

17:55 – 18:05

Faruco (Virtual Conference)[Online]

Fostering Culture in the Cyber World and Virtual Society's Approach

18:05 – 18:15

Kuroly (VRC Science Assembly)[Online]

Accelerating the Fusion of Different Disciplines in the Metaverse

18:15 – 18:30

Summary and Closing Remarks of Day 1

18:30

Closing Day 1

Saturday, December 3, 2022
Chair: Hidefumi Yagi (Tohoku University): 10:20 – 10:30; Opening Remarks

Invited Lectures: 10:30 – 10:55; Tomohiro Kawanabe (National Institute of Information and Communications Technology); An Introduction to Remote Training System using XR Technology in Agricultural High School and its Peripheral Technology

11:00 – 11:25

Akitaka Higashi (Kanazawa University)[Online]

XR–based Metaverse Design for Education

11:30 – 11:55

Shin Takamura (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications) [Cancelled]

Discussion of Policies for METAVERSE at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Government of Japan

12:00 – 13:30

Break

Invited Lecture: 13:30 – 14:00; Hiroki Tanaka (Cluster, Inc.); The Future of Education and the Metaverse: What Cluster's user experiences bring to the table

Panel Discussion
Chair: Yasuhiro Tokida (A Graduate of Tohoku University, Faculty of Economics 2021): 14:00 – 14:55; Part 1: “Advantages and Technical Challenges in Educational Use of the Metaverse”; *Discuss technical aspects of educational use of the Metaverse.; Panelists:
Masako Hayashi (Tohoku University)
Hirokazu Igarashi (Tohoku University)
Takuo Suganuma (Tohoku University)
Kazuki Takashima (Tohoku University)
Hiroki Tanaka (Cluster, Inc.)

Chair: Ryan Spring (Tohoku University): 15:00 – 15:55; Part 2: “International Collaborative Learning Connecting the World with the Metaverse”; *Discuss educational uses of the Metaverse with educators from around the world.; Panelists:
Agus Budi Cahyono (Brawijaya University)[Online]
Masako Hayashi (Tohoku University)
Njeri Kagema (United States International University – Africa)
Rie Oguma (Ghent University) [Online]
Hiroki Tanaka (Cluster, Inc.)
Zhishen You (Dalian University of Technology)[Online]

16:00 – 16:20

Break

Invited Lectures
Chair: Takeshi Koike (Tohoku University): 16:20 – 16:45; Satoru Yanagishima (Tohoku Bureau of Telecommunications, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications); Promotion Strategy of Beyond 5G (6G), ICT infrastructure for the Metaverse Era

16:50 – 17:15

Yoshifumi Kitamura (Tohoku University)

Humanity–rich Telecommunications with Nonverbal Information – Toward Applications in Future Metaverse

Chair: Yasuhiro Tokida (A Graduate of Tohoku University, Faculty of Economics 2021): 17:20 – 17:50; Day 2 Summary and Future Perspectives

17:50 – 18:00

Closing Remarks

18:00

Closing

Organizers

Masako Hayashi (Tohoku University)
Hirokazu Igarashi (Tohoku University)
Norihiro Nakamura (Tohoku University)
Masayuki Ohzeki (Tohoku University)
Yusuke Morita (Waseda University)
Hidefumi Yagi (Tohoku University)
Takeshi Koike (Tohoku University)
Ryo Kitamura (Ricoh Japan Co., Ltd.)