The highly anticipated "Metaverse Creators of Tomorrow” Competition and Training Programme, organised by the Department of Computing, has successfully concluded its journey at the closing ceremony held on 9 September. This groundbreaking programme provided a platform for local secondary school students to unleash their creativity and explore the unlimited possibilities of the metaverse, a concept closely intertwined with Web 3.0 that envisions the future of the internet.
To bridge university education and STEM education in secondary school, participants received comprehensive training and guidance, equipping them with essential skills in 3D modelling, scene design, game programming, virtual reality, augmented reality, and blockchain technology prior to the competition. Recognising the value of learning from real-life experiences, the training program included a session where four industry experts were specially invited to share their expertise, real-life cases, and firsthand information with the students. By combining theoretical knowledge, practical application, and insights from industry professionals, students had the opportunity to broaden their horizons and enhance their ability to excel in the competition.
Armed with these newfound abilities, the participants embarked on a fierce competition, where they showcased their skills and creativity through metaverse creation. The themes of elimination rounds were "Metaverse for Future Classroom" and "Metaverse for Future Mall." Out of the 70 competing three-person teams, only the top 10 teams advanced to the final round, where they needed to design a "Metaverse for Jurassic Park" to compete for the crown. In each round of the competition, teams faced the intense time constraint of 12 hours to finish their metaverse space creation and presentation deck, starting from the moment the theme was announced. Despite the time pressure, the teams persisted until the very end, delivering projects that surpassed the expected standards.
The closing ceremony on 9 September marked the culmination of weeks of intense competition and learning. Distinguished guests, including Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU; Prof. Hon William WONG Kam-fai, MH, Legislative Council Member; and Prof. LI Qing, Chair Professor of Data Science and Head of COMP, graced the ceremony with their presence. They delivered inspiring speeches and presented well-deserved awards to the winners of the "Metaverse Creators of Tomorrow" Competition and Training Programme. Judges, representatives from supporting organisations, as well as other students who had completed the programme, all came together to witness this significant moment and share in the celebration.
The winners of the programme are as follows:
Champion:
- Diocesan Girls' School (So Hei Ching, So Hei Tung and Yuen Faith)
First runner-up:
- La Salle College (Ho Yiu Hei, Wilson, Lee Long Sze, Lonz and Ng Kit Yan, Ian)
- Leung Shek Chee College (Huang Yunshi, Liu Suet Ying and Poon Hei Tung)
Merit Award:
- Po Leung Kuk Lee Shing Pik College (Li Tin Yan, Li Wing Man and Seto Yu Kiu)
- Shung Tak Catholic English College (Chan Pui Hang, Jiang Kit Hoi and Shum Ho Yeung)
The programme received an overwhelming response since its launch, with over 120 teams registered, 70 teams were finally admitted to the programme. The success of the "Metaverse Creators of Tomorrow" Competition and Training Programme highlights the commitment of PolyU to fostering creativity, technological expertise, and forward-thinking approaches among the younger generation. The participants have not only gained valuable knowledge and skills but also paved the way for a future where the metaverse plays a significant role in various aspects of life.
For more information about the programme, please visit the official website at https://metaverse.comp.polyu.edu.hk/home
For more photos, please visit: https://metaverse.comp.polyu.edu.hk/whats-new
