Educational Metaverse and SDGs: Bridging Readiness and Equity Gaps in Pakistan’s Teacher Education

Authors

  • Dr. Aysha Khalil Elementary & Teacher Education Department, Faculty of Education, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8467-5627
  • Yusuf Kalinkara Computer Programming Program, Technical Sciences & Vocational School, Gaziantep Islam Science and Technology University, Türkiye
  • Iqra Hameed College of Foreign Studies, Yangzhou University, China

Keywords:

educational metaverse, SDG integration, teacher education, institutional readiness, equity barriers

Abstract

This study explores the readiness and equity dimensions of Educational Metaverse (EMV) adoption in Pakistan’s teacher education sector through an extended UTAUT-SDG framework. As immersive learning technologies gain traction globally, their integration with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Women Participation and Safety), SDG 9 (Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), remains limited in developing contexts. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from four universities in Lahore through surveys and semi-structured interviews to examine institutional readiness, equity barriers, and infrastructural enablers. Quantitative results reveal low readiness and intention to adopt despite strong perceived usefulness. Regression analysis shows that equity barriers significantly suppress adoption intention, while SDG-9 enablers positively influence readiness. Qualitative insights reinforce these patterns, highlighting gaps in XR infrastructure, affordability, accessibility, and women’s participation. The study contributes theoretically by localizing UTAUT within an SDG-aligned, equity-sensitive framework and practically by proposing policy and institutional strategies for inclusive EMV adoption. Findings underscore that without systemic readiness and inclusive governance, the metaverse may amplify rather than reduce educational inequalities in Pakistan.

Author Biographies

Yusuf Kalinkara, Computer Programming Program, Technical Sciences & Vocational School, Gaziantep Islam Science and Technology University, Türkiye

Assistant Professor
Computer Programming Program
Technical Sciences Vocational School
Gaziantep Islam Science and Technology University, Türkiye

Iqra Hameed, College of Foreign Studies, Yangzhou University, China

Iqra Hameed is a doctoral researcher (PhD Scholar) at Yangzhou University's College of Foreign Studies. Her academic pursuits are cantered around the Department of Foreign Language & Literature, where she delves into the realms of language, literature, and cultural studies.

References

Abdulmuhsin, A. A., Owain, H. O., & Dbesan, A. H. (2025). Acceptance of KM-driven metaverse technology in higher education institutions: Are educators ready to be immersed? Information Discovery and Delivery, 53(2), 112–128. https://doi.org/10.1108/IDD-11-2024-0188

Achuthan, K., Ramanathan, S., & Raman, R. (2025). Exploring metaverse technologies in entrepreneurship through machine learning-based topic modeling. IEEE Access, 13, 93417–93438. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3567622

Ahmad, Z., Batool, S., & Bhatti, O. S. (2024). Unlocking the metaverse potential: evaluation of public and private higher educational institutions in Pakistan on adoption to futuristic technologies. Pakistan Languages and Humanities Review, 8(2), 138-147. https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2024(8-II)13

Aideed, H., Salem, I. E., Magdy, A., AlAmri, T. K., Alzubaidi, A. S., & Elbaz, A. M. (2025). Beyond reality: Harnessing the metaverse for transformative education through UTAUT-2 and task–technology synergy. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(1), 101169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijme.2025.101169

Ak, O., Şen Akbulut, M., Soydan, S., & Yildirim, E. (2025). Designing educational metaverses: a literature review to determine guidelines. Interactive Learning Environments, 33(2), 925-943. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2024.2365956

Alabidi, S., Alarabi, K., Khurma, O. A., Alarabi, A., & Taani, R. (2024, December). Sustainability in Three Dimensions: Mapping the Metaverse’s Blueprint on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a Bibliometric Journey. In 2024 25th International Arab Conference on Information Technology (ACIT) (pp. 1-7). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACIT62805.2024.10876936

Al-Adwan, A., Masaeed, S., Yaseen, H., Balhareth, H., Al-Mu’ani, L., & Pavlikova, M. (2024). Navigating the roadmap to meta-governance adoption. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-02-2024-0105.

Alam, S. S., Ahmed, S., & Kokash, H. A. (2024). Interplay of perceived organizational and external e-readiness in the adoption and integration of augmented reality and virtual reality technologies in Malaysian higher education institutions. Education and Information Technologies, 29(11), 13735-13761. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12428-7

Alkhwaldi, A. F. (2024). Understanding learners’ intention toward metaverse in higher education institutions from a developing country perspective: UTAUT and ISS integrated model. Kybernetes, 53(12), 6008–6035. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-03-2023-0459

Al-Sharafi, M. A., Al-Emran, M., Al-Qaysi, N., Iranmanesh, M., & Ibrahim, N. (2024). Drivers and barriers affecting metaverse adoption: a systematic review, theoretical framework, and avenues for future research. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 40(22), 7043-7064. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2023.2260984

Ateş, H., & Polat, M. (2025). Exploring adoption of humanoid robots in education: UTAUT-2 and TOE models for science teachers. Education and Information Technologies, 30(9), 12765–12806. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-025-13344-8

Bhat, M. A., Tiwari, C. K., & Bhaskar, P. (2025). What drives the adoption of metaverse-based educational technologies in higher education? Empirical insights from emerging economies. Interactive Technology and Smart Education. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITSE-02-2025-0039

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Diao, Y., & Su, Y. S. (2025). Exploring the impact of the metaverse on promoting students' access to quality education: A meta-analysis. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, 18(3), 321–334. https://doi.org/10.1109/TLT.2025.3550714.

Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). SAGE.

Gautam, A., Dadhich, P., Gupta, H., Rekhi, L., Upreti, S., Poonia, R. C., & Upreti, K. (2025). Unleashing metaverse for sustainable development: Challenges and opportunities. In Navigating cyber-physical systems with cutting-edge technologies (pp. 309–326). Springer.

Jafar, R. M. S., Sun, Y., Niu, B., Hussain, S., Zhu, J., Gu, M., ... & Yang, Y. (2025). Revealing the secrets of metaverse technology adoption for sustainable performance via dual-stage SEM-ANN analysis. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 41(13), 8296-8313. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2024.2407686

Joseph, A. (2023). An exploratory study on metaverse and SDGs. In How the metaverse will reshape business and sustainability (pp. 83-93). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-5126-0_9

Khalil, A., & Jumani, N. B. (2024). Feasibility of educational metaverse for immersive transformation of teacher education. Journal of Arts & Social Sciences, 11(1), 95-106. https://doi.org/10.46662/jass.v11i1.456

Khalil, A., Haqdad, A., & Sultana, N. (2023). Educational metaverse for teaching and learning in higher education of Pakistan. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 7(2).

Maghaydah, S., Al-Emran, M., Maheshwari, P., & Al-Sharafi, M. A. (2024). Factors affecting metaverse adoption in education: A systematic review, adoption framework, and future research agenda. Heliyon, 10(7). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28602

Mukred, M., Mokhtar, U. A., Hawash, B., AlSalman, H., Zohaib, M., & Abuzawayda, Y. I. (2025). Exploring the potential of metaverse adoption in higher education: A diffusion of innovation model approach to enhancing student engagement. SAGE Open, 15(3), 21582440251363668. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251363668

National Economic Council (NEC). (2018). National SDGs framework: Pakistan’s sustainable development goals strategy. Government of Pakistan. https://www.pc.gov.pk/uploads/report/SDGs_Framework_2018.pdf

Naved, M., & Gupta, A.K. (2023). Metaverse as a Tool for the Achievement of SGDs: Challenges, Opportunities, and Applications. In: El Khoury, R., Alareeni, B. (eds) How the Metaverse Will Reshape Business and Sustainability. Contributions to Environmental Sciences & Innovative Business Technology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-5126-0_11

Nguyen, A. H. D., Le, T. T., Dang, T. Q., & Nguyen, L. T. (2024). Understanding metaverse adoption in education: The extended UTAUMT model. Heliyon, 10(19). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38741

Raman, R., Hughes, L., Mandal, S., Das, P., & Nedungadi, P. (2024). Mapping metaverse research to the sustainable development goal of good health and well-being. IEEE Access, 12, 180631–180651. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3502171

Rao, O. R. S. (2024). Integrating educational technologies with pedagogy in higher education: An analytical perspective. ResearchGate preprint. https://www.researchgate.net/.

Rashid, S. (2025). Habit Predicting Higher Education EFL Students’ Intention and Use of AI: A Nexus of UTAUT-2 Model and Metacognition Theory. Education Sciences, 15(6), 756. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15060756

Rehman, A. U., Raza, M. A., & Abbas, N. (2025). Understanding AI Adoption In Education: The Role of Readiness, Confidence, And Social Influence Among Pakistani Students. Innovation Journal of Social Sciences and Economic Review, 7(1), 64-78. https://doi.org/10.36923/ijsser.v7i1.300

Subaveerapandiyan, A., & Sardar, H. (2024). Preparing for the future: metaverse readiness among library professionals in Pakistan. Library Management, 45(5), 297-316. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-12-2023-0131

UNESCO Pakistan. (2023). SDG 4: National midterm review - Pakistan. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://www.unesco.org/en/sdg4-midterm-review/pakistan

Venkatesh, V., Morris, M. G., Davis, G. B., & Davis, F. D. (2003). User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425–478. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036540

Yu, D. (2024). Designing Effective Learning Environments in the Educational Metaverse: The Role of Augmented and Virtual Reality. In Augmented and Virtual Reality in the Metaverse (pp. 81-100). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-57746-8_5

Downloads

Published

2026-02-25

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): February 2026

Section

Full Paper

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Aysha Khalil, Yusuf Kalinkara, Iqra Hameed

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

All articles in the Journal of Sustainable Innovation and Impact (JSII) are published open access under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Authors retain copyright and grant the journal a non-exclusive license to publish. Readers may share, adapt, and build upon the work for any purpose, including commercial, provided proper attribution is given to the original work and source.