Soochow University Launches "Phygital Learning Classroom": Building a Cross-Disciplinary Practical Arena via XR × AI
On September 16, 2026 (Year 115 of the Republic Era), the Department of Data Science under the School of Big Data Management at Soochow University officially inaugurated its "Phygital Learning Classroom (XR Classroom)." The unveiling ceremony was jointly led by President Dr. Chan Chi-lung of Soochow University, donor alumnus Tsai Yuan-tao, Dean Dr. Chin Kai-yi of the School of Big Data Management, and Chairman Liang Wen-long of Jorjin Technologies Inc. This opening marks not only the construction of a new tech-enabled space, but also a crucial second phase in Soochow University’s drive to establish an "AI Application Talent Training Base"—shifting AI education from foundational learning toward immersive experiences, cross-disciplinary creation, and practical applications.
In response to generative AI rapidly reshaping industry demands and talent requirements, Soochow University is advancing its AI education paradigm from "learning to use tools" toward "integrating domain expertise to solve real-world problems with AI." With the vision of "building a Human-AI (HAI) cross-disciplinary educational ecosystem and cultivating next-generation non-ICT AI application talent," the Department of Data Science aims to empower students across diverse fields—including humanities, foreign languages, law, business management, and science—to leverage their core expertise alongside AI, XR, and digital technologies to foster cross-disciplinary capabilities.
President Dr. Chan Chi-lung stated: "What truly matters in the AI era is not turning every student into an engineer, but enabling students from various disciplines to understand how to collaborate with AI." Soochow University possesses deep foundations in the humanities, law, political science, foreign languages, and business. Students can identify problems stemming from literature, history, law, commerce, and societal needs, and subsequently utilize AI and digital tools to translate domain knowledge into actionable, verifiable, and applicable solutions. This serves as a vital direction for Soochow in advancing cross-disciplinary AI education.
The newly launched XR Classroom serves as a key site for the second phase of Soochow’s AI Application Talent Training Base. The first phase, the "Smart Innovation AI Learning Center (NVIDIA Classroom)," was launched in 2025 as a hub for foundational AI learning and hands-on practice, having hosted 64 workshops and events with over 1,500 total participants to date. The second-phase XR Classroom introduces 4-wall panoramic displays integrated with floor projection, MetaSpaceai Creator, and AR smart glasses, allowing students to engage in immersive learning, AR content creation, XR prototyping, and phygital (physical-digital) interactions. Unlike conventional technology classrooms that focus primarily on equipment demonstration, Soochow’s XR Classroom emphasizes "how cross-disciplinary teaching actually takes place." The inauguration showcased course projects such as "Cultural Landscapes and Media Application" from the Department of Chinese Literature and "Technology and Japanese Language Application" from the Department of Japanese Language and Culture, demonstrating how students combine specialized domain content with VR, generative AI, virtual avatars, and voice technology to create digital works and immersive learning experiences.
Dean Dr. Chin Kai-yi pointed out: "We hope students don't just sit in a classroom 'listening about XR and AI,' but rather step into the space, identify problems, create content, and return to the XR Classroom to bring their ideas to life." Consequently, the XR Classroom is positioned as a "Human-AI Collaborative Hands-on Arena" and a "Phygital PBL (Project-Based Learning) Project Hub." It enables cross-faculty student teams to collaborate on prototype development, user experience validation, and interdisciplinary practical projects, extending future applications to diverse scenarios such as cultural innovation, tourism, business, and law.
Looking ahead, Soochow University will roll out its third phase: the "AI Interdisciplinary Co-Learning Center – NVIDIA AI Lab at SCU." By connecting foundational AI learning, XR cross-disciplinary practical work, and interdisciplinary projects, Soochow will systematically construct a talent cultivation pathway spanning "high school exploration, university deepening, and cross-disciplinary practice." The Department of Data Science emphasized: "Our goal is not to turn every student into an AI engineer, but to enable every Soochow student to increase the value of their domain expertise in the AI era." From the NVIDIA Classroom and the Phygital Learning Classroom to the future AI Interdisciplinary Co-Learning Center, Soochow University will continue integrating AI, XR, and interdisciplinary educational resources to build a smart learning environment where students can explore, practice, create, and solve problems, cultivating a new generation of talent equipped with AI literacy and cross-disciplinary capabilities.
