On December 12, 2025, the 2025 Metaverse and Intelligent Simulation Forum, together with the Zhejiang Metaverse Art Exhibition (University Touring Exhibition) and the Welcome Ceremony for Professor Pan Zhigeng’s Appointment at Beihang University, was successfully held at the Hangzhou International Innovation Institute of Beihang University.

The forum was jointly organized by the Metaverse Technology and Application Innovation Platform, China Special, the China Virtual Reality and Visualization Technology Innovation & Strategic Alliance, the Asia Simulation Federation, the Hangzhou International Innovation Institute of Beihang University, and the Zhejiang Federation of Artificial Intelligence. It was hosted by the International Innovation Center for Simulation Technology of Hangzhou International Innovation Institute of Beihang University and the Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Cultural Tourism for Metaverse Scenario Applications, with support from the Jiangsu Metaverse Engineering Research Center, the Yangtze River Delta Metaverse Expert Committee,  the Committee on Metaverse of Zhejiang Computer Society, China, and the Metaverse Committee of Jiangxi Internet Society.

The forum brought together more than 60 experts, scholars, and industry representatives for in-depth discussions. The Zhejiang Metaverse Art Exhibition (University Touring Exhibition) was held concurrently, jointly building an international platform for academic exchange and innovation showcase in the fields of the metaverse and intelligent simulation.

The forum was co-chaired by Professor Lin Zhang of Beihang University, President of the Asia Simulation Federation, and Professor Pan Zhigeng, Chief Scientist of the National Key Research and Development Program of China.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Jingnong Weng, Secretary-General of the Asia Simulation Federation. Opening remarks were delivered by Rongjin Zou, Secretary-General of  Metaverse Technology and Application Innovation Platform, China Special, (on behalf of Academician Jianrong Tan, Chairman of the Platform), Weisheng Zhao, Vice President of Beihang University, and Jiyi Wu, Executive Vice President of the Zhejiang Federation of Artificial Intelligence.

Other distinguished attendees included Lin Zhang, President of the Asia Simulation Federation; Aimin Hao, Director of the the State Key Laboratory of Virtual Reality Technology and Systems; Ruigang Yang, IEEE Fellow and Distinguished Professor at the Global Institute of Future Technology of Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Yinghua Shao, Deputy Director of the Student Affairs Office of Beihang University and Head of Student Affairs at the Hangzhou International Innovation Institute of Beihang University; Guifei Jing, Director of the Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Educationin Asia and the Pacific(China) (Affiliated to the United Nations); Hao Sheng, Director of the Data Science and Intelligent Computing Laboratory at Hangzhou International Innovation Institute of Beihang University; Zhigeng Pan, Director of the Jiangsu Metaverse Engineering Research Center and Chief Scientist of the National Key R&D Program of China; Changli Li, Deputy Director of the Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Cultural Tourism and Associate Professor at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology; Bo Chen, Director of the Metaverse Committee of Jiangxi Internet Society; Sifeng Bi, Professor at Beihang University; Ruiping Wang and Muhammad Umar Farooq Qaisar, Associate Professors at the Hangzhou International Innovation Institute of Beihang University, as well as relevant representatives from universities, research institutions, and enterprises.

Landmark Achievements: Three Laboratories Unveiled

During the opening ceremony, three major research platforms were officially inaugurated: the Engineering Research Center of Complex Product Advanced Manufacturing Systems, Ministry of Education (Hangzhou Branch), the Lab on Metaverse and Embodied AI, and the Industrial Intelligent Simulation Laboratory. These platforms focus on key areas such as intelligent simulation, advanced manufacturing, and cyber-physical integration, and will systematically advance basic research, engineering applications, and technology transfer. They are expected to further enhance the institute’s research support capabilities and collaborative innovation in the fields of the metaverse and intelligent simulation.

The Engineering Research Center of Complex Product Advanced Manufacturing Systems, Ministry of Education (Hangzhou Branch) was inaugurated.

The Lab on Metaverse and Embodied AI was inaugurated.

The Industrial Intelligent Simulation Laboratory was inaugurated.

Parallel Sessions: Thematic Reports & Roundtable Forums

The academic sessions featured a series of thematic presentations centered on key technologies in metaverse and intelligent simulation, the integration of artificial intelligence and simulation, and cyber-physical collaboration and engineering applications. Experts shared the latest research outcomes, technical pathways, and practical progress, drawing on real-world application scenarios to present both research insights and engineering experience. In addition, a roundtable forum was held focusing on topics such as metaverse industry development trends, the engineering application of simulation technologies, key technical challenges, and mechanisms for collaborative innovation. The discussions provided valuable perspectives for advancing disciplinary development and accelerating the technology transfer.

Highlights from the Keynote Speeches

Roundtable Discussion Sessions

Zhejiang Metaverse Art Exhibition Successfully Held

As an integral part of the forum, the Zhejiang Metaverse Art Exhibition (University Touring Exhibition) was held concurrently on campus. Using metaverse technologies as a medium, the exhibition showcased innovative achievements at the intersection of technology and art through digital artworks and immersive experiences. Complementing the forum’s academic exchanges and paper presentations, the exhibition expanded the application horizons of the metaverse in the integration of culture and technology.