LONDON: VR Education, a leading virtual reality (VR) technology company focused on the education and enterprise training space, announced that the Group has signed a multi-year enterprise licence agreement with Tokyo Global Gateway (TGG) for use of the Group’s proprietary ENGAGE platform, effective from 1 September 2020.

The agreement comprises an initial one-off fee for custom work alongside annual software licence fees.

TGG is a large-scale experience-oriented English-education facility, managed and operated by a consortium of five private-sector entities appointed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education (TBoE).  A majority shareholder of TGG is Gakken holdings co., Ltd. which is a leading educational service and content provider in Japan, whose aims are to contribute to educational reform in Japan via innovative solutions.

The agreement will see TGG use VR Education’s ENGAGE platform to teach Japanese students and corporate clients how to speak English in everyday travel situations – such as arriving at an airport, checking into a hotel or ordering food at a restaurant. The use of VR in a series of set locations, designed to simulate scenarios during a foreign trip, provides students with familiar surroundings as they learn how to speak English fluently. The use of the ENGAGE platform enables TGG to expand its existing facilities digitally and provide more complex locations and situations with relative ease.  Global Sky Education, Ltd., a cutting-edge learning design consultancy, will be supporting TGG by taking a role in VR learning development and execution of this landmark project.

Commenting on the agreement, David Whelan, CEO of VR Education, said:  “Tokyo Global Gateway is a leading educational institute in Japan, which has one of the world’s best-educated populations with 100% enrolment in compulsory grades and zero illiteracy. We’re delighted to be further strengthening our reach in Asia by working with this prestigious institution backed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education. In light of the COVID-19 crisis and growing pressures on education systems across the globe, this multi-year enterprise agreement, which has been secured in line with management expectations, shows the strong and growing demand for ENGAGE’s unique offering in the education, technology and XR space.”

Commenting on the agreement, Shoichiro Taniguchi, Chief Development Officer of TOKYO GLOBAL GATEWAY, said: “We are very pleased to be able to introduce the VR Education ENGAGE platform to Japan.  This is the first time for children in Japan to learn through VR.  The ENGAGE platform will provide Japanese students with new learning experiences, new surprises, and even greater curiosity.  TOKYO GLOBAL GATEWAY was founded by a corporate group which includes the largest educational company in Japan, the “GAKKEN GROUP”.  We believe that the VR learning experience provides a great opportunity to expand our operations, not only in English learning but in many subjects, and many sales channels.”