Chulaverse, a Virtual World of Learning Aiming to be a Leading Platform for Immersive Learning 

Chulalongkorn University has developed Chulaverse, a virtual world platform consisting of CV World, where users can create their own avatars, explore Chulalongkorn University campuses, and participate in 3D activities, and CV Learn, a virtual classroom platform featuring a variety of immersive content. The goal is to become a leading platform for lifelong learning promotion. 

During the initial COVID-19 pandemic, many activities faced disruption and were canceled. However, we soon developed technologies that enabled us to continue with our lives, such as online learning and Zoom meetings, which have now become the new normal. 

Pandemics, earthquakes, and other disasters are all potential disruptors. Therefore, developing and preparing technologies that will help us adapt to these situations is essential. 

“On the day the earthquake hit in late March 2025, many university activities were canceled. At the time, several faculties were holding open houses, which prompted the Faculty of Science to launch Chulaverse. Instead of having interested students visit the university in person, we met in the virtual world of Chulaverse,” said Associate Professor Dr. Gridsada Phanomchoeng from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, and a member of the Immersive Technology Lab (IMT Lab) team that developed the Chulaverse project, discussing the opportunity to utilize this timely innovation. 

Similar to the Metaverse, Chulaverse is a virtual world platform designed to allow users to interact and participate in activities together through avatars and connect various university systems. This allows both current and future students to experience immersive learning and modern life experiences. 

“We aim to develop Chulaverse into a leading platform that integrates immersive learning, promoting lifelong learning for students. Though it’s similar to online learning, we focus on immersive learning, such as 360-degree video and VR (Virtual Reality). This sets Chulaverse apart from others.” 

In 2021, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gridsada and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lunchakorn Wuttisittikulkij from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, shared an interest in VR technology and began developing teaching materials and VR projects in collaboration with other organizations, including a student teaching club on the Metaverse. 

After completing the project, the two professors still wished to create one with real impact. Dr. Pravee Kruachottikul from the Graduate Program of the Faculty of Medicine suggested immersive learning. Together, the three of them developed the Chulaverse project in 2023 to allow professors, students, and those involved in education to conduct more immersive learning. 

Currently, the Chulaverse development team, also known as the IMT Lab (Immersive Technology Lab), consists of 19 members from various disciplines, including medicine, engineering, science, law, the Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration, and students. 

What’s in Chulaverse? 

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gridsada, Chulaverse consists of two main parts: 

1. Chulaverse World (CV World) 

Chulaverse World (CV World) comprises the main page, a 3D outdoor map, a 3D scene, and a 3D space. 

“Once you access the main page, you can create a user account, customize your 3D avatar, and browse various areas of the university, such as the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Medicine, the Central Library, and the Sala Phra Kiao student union. Furthermore, the 3D space displays important virtual activities, such as lectures, seminars, conferences, competitions, and exhibitions. Within this space, users can use the camera, microphone, emoticons, chat rooms, screens, and file storage. Students and the general public can access CV World,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gridsada explained. 

2.  Chulaverse Learn (CV Learn) 

Chulaverse Learn (CV Learn) focuses on developing a platform that aligns with lifelong learning. It collects immersive course content and features user information systems, course registration systems, learning scenario displays, and certificate issuance systems. 

“CV Learn can connect to the MyCourseVille system and the medical education system, such as MDCU MedUMore. It serves as a platform for storing, curating, and presenting content in virtual reality, including 180/360-degree video, simulations, and VR tours.  Users can use 3D glasses to immerse themselves in virtual learning experiences.” 

Two Channels to Access the Virtual World 

There are two models for accessing virtual worlds and immersive learning in Chulaverse: 

1. Virtual Reality (VR), which uses devices such as headsets or 3D glasses. 
2. Using a web browser (www.chulaverse.com). 

“For VR content, users must wear 3D glasses and enter the classroom. However, not everyone has 3D glasses. Therefore, we offer users the option to switch to Chulaverse by accessing the web browser instead.” 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gridsada stated that the two programming methods differ, but the basic modeling is the same: using Blender (3D software) to create models and Unity (a cross-platform software for software development and simulation) to compile models and create a world. 

“Unity” is a development platform to create interactive avatars, objects, or gestures such as holding, waving, and performing various actions. Unity provides the option to operate in VR with 3D glasses or on a web browser.” 

Virtual Classroom 

Chulaverse has created a virtual classroom in CV World. Initially, Chula students from three faculties, namely the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Engineering, and the Faculty of Science, started learning, brainstorming ideas, and discussing various issues in the virtual classroom. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gridsada cites the example of a virtual classroom for the Exploring Robotics course at the Faculty of Engineering, which involved the participation of 40 students. “First, we had to teach students how to use the virtual classroom. We provided a quick start guide for students to read, explaining how to interact with their avatar, how to walk and run, and so on. Once students were familiar with using the avatar, further use was relatively easy.” 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gridsada stated that compared to Zoom classes, where students would have their cameras off, CV World classes would have avatars representing them, allowing the instructor to observe them on stage presenting their work. 

For practical courses, such as those in the Faculty of Medicine, students can access CV Learn by wearing 3D glasses to learn about various procedures, such as performing CPR, performing surgery, and taking a patient’s pulse. This allows them to gain basic knowledge of these procedures before going to the actual field. 

However, virtual reality cannot replace the hands-on experience and human interaction in teaching and learning, Asst. Prof. Dr. Gridsada observed. 

“Virtual classrooms are a supplement for those who don’t have the opportunity. For example, Chulalongkorn University’s large number of exchange students can use Chulaverse to explore the campus before actually visiting. While it cannot replace the real world, it can complement the real world in many ways.” 

Chulaverse Back-end Collaboration 

The Chulaverse team spent approximately one and a half years developing the system. Asst. Prof. Dr. Gridsada said the challenge of this project was collaborating with people from various disciplines. 

“This project cannot be done alone. The team needed a large, collaborative team. We finally got Asst. Prof. Dr. Nattawut Nupairot and Asst. Prof. Dr. Atiwong Suchato from the Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Nakul Kuharojananon and Asst. Prof. Dr. Thitaya Wanwaree from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. Faculty of Science Asst. Prof. Dr. Gridsada Charoenlarp, ​​Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine; Dr. Phumisiri Damrongwut, Department of Civil and Commercial Law, Faculty of Law; and Dr. Pinnaree Theeramkorn, Department of Management, Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration, assisted with the project, with Dr. Kittikul Kowitangkun serving as project manager. 

“We had to sit down and discuss the login process, deciding which page students would access. Currently, they can log in through MyCourseVille and CU Nex. We designed the main lobby to allow users to choose between CV World and CV Learn,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gridsada explained the details of the system’s conceptualization and design. 

“Just the login system itself involved minute details starting from identity verification. We needed experts to create the main lobby and avatars, for which we consulted with NEXTClan from AIS.” 

“When accessing CV World, users select an avatar and are presented with a map of Chulalongkorn University. This aspect was supported by Fatos, a Korean mapping company, which helped develop the 3D perspective. Users can visit various Chulalongkorn University locations, such as the Central Library, the Faculty of Engineering, and the Faculty of Medicine. 

“On the CV Learn side, we’ll continue to design the content so that if users don’t want to tour the actual location and just want to see the content, we’ll have to decide what they will see. We’ll go through the content selection process, record content views, and manage content within the system.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gridsada said that even after the project is complete, the Chulaverse team will continue to meet weekly to continue developing the work. 

Expanding Borderless Learning 

Currently, Chulaverse offers 13 topics of immersive medical content, with approximately 1,000 users within the 12 months following the project’s completion. Despite the positive feedback, some users expressed concerns that some features are not easy or convenient for individual users. 

“Most users say it’s a novel technology and want to explore it further,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gridsada. “The Chulaverse team is also improving CV Learn.  As users of CV Learn currently long in via MyCourseVille, we’re working on creating our login system to make it compatible with MyCourseVille.” 

“Regarding immersive content, we’re currently working with the Boromarajonani National Institute of Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation (BNIRTD) to create content on drug addiction treatment,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gridsada concluded. 

Chulaverse has made it possible for Chulalongkorn University to be located not only in Pathumwan District, but also at www.chulaverse.com, offering a seamless, borderless presentation of Chula’s academic world. 

Read and find out more about us at http://www.sustainability.chula.ac.th/th/report/3429/. 

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Line