Virtual Horizons: Pioneering the Metaverse in Education and Industry Across ASEAN and Beyond

The integration of the Metaverse into the educational sector heralds a transformative era in teaching and learning paradigms, with the ASEAN region at its forefront. This manuscript examines the Metaverse's potential to transcend traditional educational barriers such as resource limitations, geographic isolation, and the lack of personalized learning. Active case studies from Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University (NPRU), Thailand, the University of Central Punjab (UCP), Pakistan, the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center, Thailand, and Chuo University, Japan, are presented to offer a comprehensive overview of the Metaverse's current applications. These case studies showcase the Metaverse's role in creating inclusive, immersive, and engaging educational experiences. The paper identifies critical research gaps in technological feasibility, pedagogical adaptation, and equitable access that need bridging to harness the Metaverse's full potential. It underscores the necessity for robust technological infrastructure, innovative teaching methodologies for 3D learning environments, and inclusivity strategies for diverse socioeconomic and physical ability spectra. The inclusion of Chuo University's advancements extends the discourse beyond ASEAN, indicating the global momentum of Metaverse adoption in education. The paper posits that ASEAN's venture into this digital frontier, alongside international collaborations, prepares the ground for a more interconnected and technologically advanced future. This investigation into the ASEAN region and its collaboration with Japanese innovation underscores a unique global position, suggesting that the convergence of technology and education is key to resolving deep-rooted disparities in educational access and quality.