The University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment, and Information Technology (EBIT) has announced the launch of its Immersive Technology Lab, focused on virtual reality (VR).
Located at the university’s Department of Information Science in Hatfield, the high-tech facility extends access to immersive technologies like VR to more students at the University of Pretoria.
The EBIT faculty says the lab will introduce staff and students to immersive technology, provide a platform for students to develop their own VR experiences, investigate the integration of immersive technology into teaching approaches, and encourage collaboration.
“The inauguration of the Immersive Technology Lab in 2024 represents an evolution from the VRI [Virtual Reality and Interaction] Lab, extending access to immersive technology to the wider university community,” it said.
“It is poised to chart new frontiers in education, research, and societal impact through immersive technology.”
The department first started investigating the integration of VR technology in 2023. It purchased early headsets for Honours students to experience the technology.
“As the appeal of VR grew, the lab evolved into the VRI Lab, formally inaugurated in February 2018, to accommodate a larger cohort of students,” it said.
EBIT added that the lab has played a crucial role in the Bachelor of Information Sciences Multimedia Honours and Masters programmes, with students conceptualizing high-calibre VR research applications and games.
“The Immersive Technology Lab stands as a testament to the Faculty’s commitment to innovation and academic excellence,” the department said.
Photographs of the launch are shown below.
University of Pretoria’s Immersive Technology Lab launch
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