Necessity is the mother of invention! As cliché as it may sound, there is no other phrase that is more apt in the current scenario. The entire world is trying to get a grip over the COVID-19 situation in unique and sometimes ridiculous ways!
It would be unfair to say that only one community has been adversely affected, but without a doubt, students are one set of people who are bearing the brunt. Losing their offer letters, piling education loan-debts, postponement of examinations, delay in getting degrees, etc. – the list is endless when it comes to the kinds of problems they are facing.
The ‘New’ Way
BBT University graduation: Robots standing in for students’ graduation ceremony
While all this is going on in the world, some individuals from the academic community have managed to put a smile on our faces with their efforts and actions. One such collective is the students of BBT University in Tokyo.
Now, Japan is no stranger to innovation, and when it comes to areas like robotics and artificial intelligence, they are always at the forefront.
When students of the Business Breakthrough University were not able to make it to the graduation ceremony due to the social distancing guidelines, they decided to improvise and live up to the institution’s name.
The “Newme” robots in the university were attached with a tablet each to enable video-conferencing via Zoom. Graduates got the experience of going up to the stage and receiving their degrees virtually during a ceremony held at Tokyo’s Hotel Grand Palace on March 28.
BBT University graduation: ANA group built the remotely controlled avatar
There were only four students who were physically present in the venue besides Omae Kenichi, the college’s president, and other administrators.
The robot that was built by the ANA Group acted as a remotely controlled avatar. A gown adorned by the robot gave a very realistic touch to the entire event. The usage of the robot was not limited to this event –it was used for virtual museum visits and other tours too.
Master’s in Minecraft
Since COVID-19 has affected over a million people, led to the shutdown of transportation means, and disrupted the functioning of academic institutions, students are coming up with innovative ways to make up for or recreate the canceled events.
On similar lines, eight elementary-school students organized a graduation ceremony inside the popular game “Minecraft.”
Andrew Guo: A virtual university in Minecraft
Taking inspiration from these kids, the University of Pennsylvania scholars built a full-fledged virtual campus in “Minecraft” and held important events like graduation and get-togethers online. Could college get any cooler?
We simply hope that more such innovations grace the world as a positive outcome of the pandemic.
