Meta announces new metaverse program with US universities

The social media giant launches a new teaching program in the US, anticipating growing momentum for VR education tools in Europe.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is launching a new program for teachers in the US to inspire students to explore the opportunities of the metaverse.

In a press release on Sept. 12, the Menlo Park-based company said the program is aimed at helping college students in the US to learn with the help of virtual reality (VR) and to test more ways to make it easier for Meta Quest users “to find educational resources in the Meta Quest store.”

As part of the program, Meta has collaborated with 15 universities across the US “who are actively embracing immersive learning.” They include Stanford University, Arizona State University, New Mexico State University, and others.

“The universities are each conducting classroom sessions and exercises in virtual reality to examine how immersive technologies can contribute to the future of education.”

Meta

While details of the program remain undisclosed, Meta is trying to bring more activity into its education-related apps available for Meta Quest. The company said it is working on new ways to help spotlight the apps available in the Meta Quest without going into details.

Meta also noted there is growing momentum for VR education tools in Europe. However, the company added that governments and other regulators must first embrace the “incredible opportunities” of the metaverse before everyone can benefit.

The company remains committed to the metaverse despite costly expenses. In Q2 this year, Meta’s Reality Labs division recorded a $3.7 billion operating loss. In 2023, Meta invested $7.7 billion in its virtual reality business, according to its earnings results released on July 26.