By: Qhawekazi Memani – 17 April 2024

In December 2023, the European Union’s approval of funding for the Metaverse Academy project marked a pivotal moment in addressing Europe’s growing demand for immersive technology skills. The project, a collaborative effort among 11 European partners with VUT as the sole non-European representative, aimed to empower students and address the continent’s skills gap in immersive technologies.

The inaugural face-to-face kick-off meeting held in Bursa, Turkey from 4- 6 March 2024, saw Vaal University of Technology (VUT)’s Dr Narissa Ramdhani, the Convenor of the Grant and VUT’s Resource Mobilisation executive director, and Dr Anneke De Klerk, the Project Coordinator and a Senior Lecturer at VUT, representing the university. Their attendance not only highlighted VUT’s global reach but also emphasized the institution’s commitment to academic and technological advancement across faculties.

According to Dr Ramdhani, participation in the planning phase was integral for every partner, enabling VUT to highlight its strengths in contributing to the success of the immersive technology project. “Through rigorous dialogue and active engagement, VUT demonstrated its capability to fulfil project objectives, timelines, and responsibilities while presenting a robust collaboration strategy,” she said.

She furthermore stated that, despite the inherent challenges of collaborating with multiple partners, VUT’s solution-driven approach impressed coordinators and directors of the EU programme. This initiative-taking stance not only highlighted VUT’s readiness to tackle challenges but also positioned the institution as a key player in addressing Europe’s skills scarcity in Augmented, Virtual, and Extended Reality (AR/VR/XR) technologies.

As the only African partner, VUT’s participation in the Metaverse Academy project highlights its commitment to global trends and innovation in teaching and learning. By aligning with strategic goals focused on developing techno-entrepreneurs and fostering innovation, VUT solidified its position as a major contributor to the evolving landscape of immersive technologies.

Lastly, Dr Ramdhani shared that, “the success of VUT’s engagement in the Metaverse Academy project not only elevates the institution’s profile on the global stage but also paves the way for impactful collaborations aimed at shaping the future of immersive technology education.”