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A.Enkhbayar: It is effective to show cultural heritages as real items in an abstract environment

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A.Enkhbayar: It is effective to show cultural heritages as real items in an abstract environment

A.Enkhbayar, CEO of “Digital Solutions” LLC, developer of “Guyuk metaverse”, who received the traditional “Silver Tree-2022” award given by the government to the best artist and work of the year, was invited for an interview. “Guyuk metaverse” is a social network based on the 3D virtual environment of Mongolian people. If you want to know what is there, you should visit this area. Everything A.Enkhbayar said was interesting, as he started to talk about the progress of electronic solutions in the field of culture and art two years ago within the framework of the “Silver Tree” festival.

- Please introduce your organization to our readers?

- Ours is a start-up company called “Digital Solutions” under the National University of Mongolia. The start-up is a result of the University's computer graphics research laboratory work and was developed by teachers and students to develop and produce innovative products. We are working on abstract creation of things in the real environment on the computer. One of the introductions of various technologies in the field of art is viewing museums in augmented reality, or VR. The technology allows special devices to travel and explore a computer-generated environment.

- Whose initiative was it to create such a network?

- It is the result of training work. People know well that we implemented the “Virtual Kharkhorin” project and built the city of Kharkhorin 800 years ago. Similarly, you can visit various museums, visit tourist centers, and learn about heritage through our company. Users were very interested in creating an environment with information about what the Lunar New Year is and how to enjoy it. Each participant entered the house where the table had been set. If someone who doesn’t know wants to go between the columns of ger, they won’t let him. They explain the reason for it. There is also information about the ritual of laying the rump and various games and parties. It was very interesting that we organized competitions such shagai nyaslakh, ankle bone shooting, and shagai dice. About 10,000 people from 21 countries contacted to know about the Lunar New Year.

- How do you fit so many people in one house?

- As many people as possible that is able to enter the ger. Estimated to be 50 people at once or on one server. People do not have to enter at the same time and day. It means that the house is open whenever someone comes in, morning, day or night. In general, various projects have been implemented in order to convey information and knowledge about history, heritage, culture and the beautiful nature of Mongolia to young people in an interesting and unique way.

- Can you visit even Ulaan tsutgalan, Huisiin naiman lake, Otgontenger khairkhan, and Khyargas lake?

- You can visit any of these beautiful places. It differs in that it is not a picture, but a three- dimensional world. It can be seen from all sides. You can even see what’s behind the rock. Do you agree that the information seems to be real? You can get a lot of information from where you are, as if it were real. For example, a geography teacher can gather his students from home and travel together in this world. This tourism palace was established in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture. In general, we are starting to build a city in a space with a 25-km radius of in the computer. It means that everything that has been established so far is in this city. This metaverse was established to spread our history and culture in a unique way, that is, to use technological advancements to spread it to the youth, to improve the quality of education, to ensure equality, and to improve distribution. Simply put, a computer-generated fantasy world. People can enter their own 3D models using devices such as mobile phones and computers.

- So, is it like talking on Facebook messenger?

- Yes. To clarify about sound, in this imaginary world, if everyone talks to each other, it will be a mess of noise. Therefore, it is managed so that only people within 20 meters can talk to each other.

- Let’s talk more about the work your organization will do in the near future.

- We are preparing to organize an educational expo soon. You can join it from anywhere in the world or country. When universities present their products and services at the Misheel Expo, the local community is always left behind. On the other hand, in the metaverse environment, everyone can be included. The expo will be organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science. In addition to introducing schools, advice and information will be distributed to help children choose a profession. The expo will last until next May.

- Does that mean that in the future it will be normal for people to live in the virtual world?

- Yes. It is the need of the times.

- Can it be understood that this is the future of mankind?

- It is not possible to say that exactly. Instead of using Facebook and Instagram, people are choosing the three-dimensional world.

- Is this technology widespread in developed countries?

- It is in now developing greatly. Children and young people in every country play various three- dimensional games. Based on their interests and needs, they are creating an environment for imparting knowledge of history and heritage.

- It seems that Mongolians are keeping pace with the world in this field. What if you hadn’t done it and haven’t studied it?

- If it is deemed necessary, it will be necessary to pay a high price for what the technologists of the USA, Japan, and South Korea.

- Where did you acquire this specialty?

- I am a mathematician. Graduated from the mathematics department of the National University of Mongolia. Later, I studied computer graphics at Iwata University in Japan. I earned my PhD on the topic of 3D modeling and building cultural heritage in virtual environments. After working there for several years, I came back to Mongolia eight years ago, established a research laboratory near National University of Mongolia, and began to teach my students what I had learned. Soon, I founded a start-up company with young people who were interested in continuing to study and work in this field. The Law on Innovation states that universities and academic institutions can establish start-up companies. It operates within this framework.

- They talk about building cultural heritage in the virtual environment, right?

- Yes, not drawing, but building.

- How many teachers are working in this field in your department?

- Three teachers are working.

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