Taylor’s VORTEX XR Lab transforms education from classroom into the virtual world of XR

Taylor's University has now expanded its education from classrooms and online lectures into the virtual world of XR through the launch of their VORTEX XR Lab. 

XR is an emerging umbrella term describing current immersive technologies, namely augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR). The lab represents the university’s effort to enhance virtual and immersive learning in an extended reality environment. It facilitates the virtual co-presence of learners and participants in a virtual metaverse. 

Students, lecturers and staff can now enter into a world where they can experience complete liberation from screen-bound experiences and venture into an extended reality (XR).

Taylor’s University Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer, Professor Dr Pradeep Nair, said the university has invested more than RM1 million in the lab to enable the creation of XR content and facilitate XR research, allowing students to engage and experience their learning in a 360⁰ immersive manner, and providing them the exposure needed to meet the demands of the XR job market.

Immersive XR Learning Experience

VORTEX XR Lab, which features facilities such as a Green Screen Studio, XR applications and LED stage powered by Zero Density, Mixed Reality Immersive rooms, VR Head Mounted Displays powered by Meta Quest and HTC, and a HoloLens 2 station, will support all Faculties, from hospitality and architecture, to medicine and culinary arts.

During the launch of the lab, the public was allowed to immerse in various experiences such as virtual welding and woodworking, kayaking in Antarctica as a virtual tourist, attending a virtual moot court simulation, viewing augmented reality Barbie dolls donning fashion designed by Taylor’s Fashion Design Technology students, and exploring the human anatomy through a hololens. 

The VORTEX XR Lab is an experimental space similar to a playground for academics and students to innovate using the world of extended reality as their creative canvas. Prof Dr Pradeep shared the need to be given the freedom and technology to explore possibilities for products, content, and application for education, as well as for various industries.

Professor Dr Pradeep added that the demand for XR technology and skills have grown exponentially around the world, as according to Market Research Future (MRFR), the XR market globally was valued at USD 27 Billion in 2018; it is expected to reach USD 393 Billion by 2025 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 69.4%.

While VR and AR were associated largely with the entertainment and media industries, they have now penetrated into multiple industries and sectors. Hence, Taylor’s now encourages all 16 schools in the university to come up with ideas on how to incorporate immersive technologies such as XR, VR and MR into their subjects and then come to the VORTEX XR Lab to get trained by Dr Charles Sharma Naidu, Director of VORTEX XR Lab and his team.

Dr Charles explained that apart from creating immersive educational content, the lab will also function as an XR Incubation Centre, divided into three components – XR Services that provides technical support and training for academics; XR Action that facilitates XR projects and also seeks funding for XR products, as well as commercialisation; and XR Advocacy and Research that conducts research and awareness relating to XR technologies.

Accelerating Innovation in Extended Reality 

Studies have shown that experiential learning increases learning quality and improves retention by up to 75%. Hence, Taylor’s initiative to establish VORTEX XR Lab facilitates the creation of XR content for immersive learning.

Collaborations with leading XR industry experts will further strengthen the student’s experience, such as an MOU with Ministry XR for the Interactive Spatial Design degree, the first major that will use immersive technologies in its curriculum in March 2023.

The VORTEX XR Lab is an experimental space that is in line with the Taylor’sphere ecosystem, to future-proof graduates with the right skills and experience to tackle real-world problems.

In a first step towards playing its role in nation building, VORTEX XR Lab has signed an agreement with Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS) Digital Village, to raise awareness of and promote XR technologies in Sarawak.

To discover more on the VORTEX XR Lab, click HERE. You can also go on an on-ground or virtual campus tour of the award-winning Taylor's Lakeside Campus, its research centres, VORTEX XR Lab, and learn other cutting-edge facilities from Taylor’s on 13 & 14 August 2022, from 10am to 5pm. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity!