Four Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS) students from the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS), University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), participated in a three-week laboratory internship at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. The internship was conducted under the mentorship of Professor Lunchakorn Wuttisittikulkij from the Faculty of Engineering.
Held from 13 to 31 May 2025, the internship was part of the international academic collaboration under the Metaverse Academic Nexus for Global Opportunities (MANGOs) initiative. The project aims to expand the use of immersive technologies, particularly within educational and research settings.
The participating students were:
- Mathieu Zachary Emocling
- Sherwin Elijah Fiel
- Jewel Claire Gatchalian
- Jana Denise Tomacruz
All four are 4th-year BAMS students currently working on their Special Project (SP) for MMS 200. The internship provided them with hands-on experience and technical training aligned with their degree program, while also contributing to the development of the UP OUverse through MANGOs.
During their training, the students learned to use Blender, a 3D modeling software, and Unity, a widely used platform for creating interactive and immersive digital environments. These tools are essential for developing and integrating 3D assets into the MANGOs metaverse platform.
The students were warmly welcomed by local students from Intaniaverse, a university club dedicated to metaverse development and engagement. They also had the opportunity to meet with the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Chulalongkorn University. In this meeting, they introduced the MANGOs initiative and discussed the potential for institutional collaboration, including the development of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between UPOU and Chulalongkorn. They also explored how the metaverse could serve as a platform for fostering international academic partnerships and expanding research initiatives.
As part of their activities, the students attended the 22nd International Conference on Electrical Engineering/Electronics, Computer, Telecommunication, and Information Technology (ECTI-CON 2025) on 20 May 2025. They participated in presentations and discussions focused on metaverse-related projects and research.
Beyond academic engagement, the BAMS students also collaborated with faculty and staff from another university through the metaverse, continuing work on their individual projects. Between project sessions, they engaged in informal cultural exchanges, further enriching their cross-cultural experience.
Written by: Christine Faye Pesimo | Edited by: Joy Abigail Rebulanan
Photos by: Sherwin Elijah Fiel