Extended Reality (XR) training platform, ARuVR, has announced a three year partnership with City, University of London to provide its technology and expertise to engineering, computer science and applied mathematics undergraduate and postgraduate students within the School of Science and Technology, at what it said will be the UK’s largest bespoke augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and metaverse Design Training Centre.

Officially opening in September 2023, with funding from the Office for Students (OFS), the facility will train up to 50 students simultaneously to become the next generation of ethical tech pioneers in the field of AR and VR and its applications in engineering, computer science and applied mathematics. The development of skills in VR and AR, as well as the metaverse, is seen as a key skill shortage by industry, and the new facility is as a direct result of demand from the City, University of London’s industry and business partners who are seeking talent with advanced skills in this sector. 

The STEM skills gap costs £1.5bn per year in the UK, according to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Without access to modern, cutting-edge facilities and the means of flexible learning in an ever-demanding world it is unlikely the skills gap can be addressed in the higher education sector. The Interactive Ethical Learning Design Studio will provide a practical space to innovate and practice new industrial processes to deliver social and economic value. It will transform and grow the City, University of London’s specialist teaching and research capability in engineering, computer science and mathematics. The facility will also be used by students and researchers from the School of Health and Psychological Sciences and the School of Communication and Creativity.

As well as providing its AR and VR training platform, which allows students to easily create compelling content and uniquely allow trainers to simultaneously interact with multiple students all while in a virtual world, ARuVR will also provide the AR/VR hardware as a complete solution; jointly fund a place for a PhD student; provide consultancy to train the trainers; and provide practical work placements for students.

“Our partnership with ARuVR enables us to provide students with a scalable, cloud-based industry-leading AR and VR rapid application-building platform which will help them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of business across multiple sectors,” said Professor Rajkumar Roy, Executive Dean, School of Science & Technology (SST) City, University of London. “This partnership goes beyond just providing the technology, ARuVR will provide on-going expertise and guidance as well as real-world industry experience and practice which is invaluable as our students progress in their studies and their career.”