Abstract
The paper aims to propose a futuristic educational and learning framework called CO-MATE (Collaborative Metaverse-based A-La-Carte Framework for Tertiary Education). The architectural framework of CO-MATE was conceptualized in a four-layered approach which depicts various infrastructure and service layer functionalities. CO-MATE is a technologically driven educational metaverse environment involving loosely coupled building blocks to provide an a-la-carte model for platform designers. For this, the authors had undertaken a systematic mapping study of the pre/post-COVID period to review the application of various emerging technologies. Further, the paper also discusses the core attributes and component offerings of CO-MATE for a technology-driven and automated immersive-learning environment and exemplifies the same through various use cases.