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US mission unveils
Web-based Virtual AIT World
By Shih Hsiu-chuan / Staff Reporter
The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) yesterday became the only US mission
abroad that runs a Web-based virtual program to promote US public diplomacy.
With the program, the AIT hopes to let Taiwanese know that the AIT ¡§is not only
a place where they come to apply for visas,¡¨ but that it ¡§provides many other
wonderful things¡¨ for them to discover, AIT spokesperson Christopher Kavanagh
said at the launch of Virtual AIT World.
During the initial stage of the program, the AIT will share online three of its
most popular exhibits ¡X ¡§American Footsteps in Taiwan,¡¨ ¡§Dr Sun Yat-sen and the
United States¡¨ and ¡§Picturing America.¡¨
¡§This exciting new online tool is our latest effort to share AIT¡¦s resources and
programs with more people in Taiwan. Virtual AIT World takes programs and
exhibits that might have only lasted a short time and gives them a much longer
life, enabling more people to enjoy them,¡¨ Kavanagh said.
For example, people who missed the ¡§American Footsteps in Taiwan¡¨ exhibition ¡§do
not need to feel regret anymore,¡¨ Kavanagh said. ¡§Virtual AIT World features a
720-degree panorama of the view of the exhibit [that] reproduces the scene and
makes you feel that you were there in person.¡¨
Virtual AIT World would be a ¡§living world that is constantly changing, adding
new programs and exhibits,¡¨ he said.
AIT spokesperson Sheila Paskman said the AIT obtained a lump sum of US$40,000 to
create Virtual AIT World after its application for a grant from the US
Department of State was approved.
¡§Taiwan is a very advanced country when it comes to being technical. People here
are very sophisticated users. We have to think of something new, not just the
same old kind of thing, to really reach the audience here,¡¨ Paskman said.
The AIT is the only US overseas mission to run a virtual program, she said.
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