IIT Guwahati pioneers India’s first VR metaverse for PM Shri schools

In a groundbreaking initiative, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati is developing India's first VR-enabled metaverse platform for PM Shri schools in Assam, which will transform students' engagement with math and science.

This cutting-edge project, titled "Gyandhara," aims to make learning immersive, interactive, and accessible in local languages, fostering curiosity and creativity among young minds.

Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Department of Education, Assam Government, the initiative will be piloted in 56 PM SHRI Adarsh Vidyalayas later this year before scaling across the Northeast and beyond.

According to Dr. Keyur Sorathia, Associate Professor at IIT Guwahati and the lead innovator behind the project, the "Gyan Dhara Metaverse" will create 3D virtual environments where students aged 13 to 18 can engage with complex subjects in a visually compelling manner.

"Education should be an exciting and rewarding journey. Through Gyandhara, we are developing an educational metaverse powered by virtual reality to transform conventional learning. This platform will allow students to explore concepts beyond textbooks, enhance critical thinking, and collaborate with peers globally," Sorathia told news agency PTI.

The initial rollout will focus on mathematics, science, and social science for students in classes 8 to 12. The goal is to move beyond flat-board teaching by integrating interactive lessons in local languages, making abstract concepts easier to understand.

"This is the first-of-its-kind initiative in Indian schools. By leveraging VR technology, we aim to reshape classroom learning, ensuring that students are not just passive recipients of information but active participants in their education," Sorathia added.

With Gyandhara, IIT Guwahati is setting a precedent for how technology can revolutionize education, making learning more engaging, inclusive, and futuristic. (PTI)