On April 8, Hanyang University (HYU) opened its first ontact study zone called, “HOLMZ (Hanyang Ontact Learning Metaverse Zone).” The term ontact is a compound word of online and untact(non-contact). Unlike any other study zone, HOLMZ is significant as it was built to give a comfortable, “home-like” feeling to the students. Yang Joo-sung, the Department Manager of the Education Innovation Team said, “Our team wanted to create an environment where students could easily reach and feel welcomed. We focused on making sure the interior suited the current trends among the students while providing all the items needed for proper studying (good lighting, extension cords, calm music, etc.).”

   Due to the wide use of online platforms for classes and other activities after the spread of COVID-19, students needed a place to participate in. Recognizing these needs, HOLMZ consists of not only average study rooms but also special-purpose rooms. On the second floor, HOLMZ offers a total of 250 seats, both individual and group study rooms that can accommodate from two to six people along with an open-spaced study area. On the fourth floor, HOLMZ offers a total of 220 seats, including a studio and video editing room that can be used for filming and editing YouTube videos, self-introduction videos for job applications, and so on. What is more, the fourth floor includes a VR lab, an XR coding lab, a Croma studio, etc., which cannot be found in other university complexes.

   HOLMZ is now open to all HYU students to use freely based on their needs and personal preferences. It is located on the second and fourth floor of the Hanyang Plaza and is open from Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Reservations for study rooms can be made through the Paiknam Library application.