PAK HEI Consortium Advances Immersive Learning in Romania -

INT’L COLLABORATION

The ERASMUS+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) initiative, under the flagship CATCH_VR Project, successfully convened its Project Review Meeting and Core Sessions of the Executive Committee from 4 partners universities (MUET, GIKI, QUEST, UETP) from Pakistan and 4 partner Universities from Europe (UoO Romania, UL Ireland, TUS, Bulgaria and UCC, Ireland) at the University of Oradea (UoO), Romania. The four-day event brought together distinguished academic leaders, researchers, and institutional partners from across Europe and Asia under the theme “Redefining Skills with Digital Twin & Immersive Experience.”

The meeting served as a critical platform to assess project progress, validate key performance indicators (KPIs), and chart a strategic roadmap for the project’s successful completion and long-term sustainability. Participants engaged in comprehensive discussions covering all major work packages, including project management, infrastructure development, academic program implementation, capacity building, quality assurance, and dissemination.

A key highlight of the meeting was the strong alignment observed between project activities and the objectives outlined in the Grant Agreement. Partners reported significant achievements since the interim review, particularly in establishing AR/VR and Digital Twin laboratories, developing innovative academic curricula, and launching specialized Master’s programs focused on immersive technologies and Digital Twin.

The Executive Committee sessions emphasized the importance of achieving all remaining deliverables within the stipulated timeframe. Particular attention was given to strengthening KPI performance, ensuring continuous data updates on the project portal, and enhancing the quality and impact of deliverables through robust quality assurance mechanisms based on the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) model.

In the area of academic development, partners reviewed the progress of the Master’s program in Immersive Technologies and Digital Twin, highlighting advancements in curriculum design, accreditation processes, and student enrollment. The consortium reaffirmed its commitment to fostering industry linkages and practical training opportunities to enhance employability and real-world impact.

Capacity building remained a central pillar of the discussions, with partners presenting outcomes from various training programs and identifying gaps to address in upcoming activities. These initiatives aim to equip students, faculty, and stakeholders with cutting-edge skills in AR/VR, digital twin technologies, and immersive learning environments.

The meeting also focused on dissemination and impact, underscoring the need to expand outreach efforts and increase visibility through digital platforms, publications, and collaborative events. The project’s contributions to education, industry, and society were widely acknowledged, reinforcing its relevance in addressing emerging technological and socio-economic challenges.

One of the most significant outcomes of the meeting was the endorsement of a Global Strategic Roadmap, designed to ensure the project’s sustainability beyond its funded duration. This roadmap outlines a transition from a grant-based initiative to a self-sustaining, scalable ecosystem, driven by academic excellence, diversified funding models, and strategic partnerships.

Looking ahead, the consortium agreed on several key initiatives to further strengthen the project’s impact. A two-day specialized training program on “Innovations in Immersive Learning: AR/VR and Digital Twin Technologies in Education” will be held at GIKI on 17–18 August 2026, focusing on enhancing the technical and academic capacities of project partners. A hybrid international conference, titled “Immersive Futures: Transforming Education through AR/VR Technologies,” is planned for 27–28 August 2026, to be hosted by QUEST under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Saleem Raza Samo. This event will serve as a global platform to showcase project outcomes and innovations in immersive learning.

Further strengthening the capacity-building agenda, a five-day advanced training program is proposed at the Technical University of Sofia (TUS), Bulgaria, in mid-September 2026. This program will cover cutting-edge themes such as holographic digital twins, smart city applications, VR development pipelines, immersive experience design, AI-driven sustainability, and capstone design projects.
Additionally, cross-laboratory training sessions will be conducted at MUET on 12-14 Oct 2026 to enhance inter-institutional collaboration and knowledge exchange, reinforcing the project’s commitment to building a cohesive and innovative learning ecosystem.

The consortium also announced that the Final Project Meeting will be held in Peshawar on 16-18 November 2026, bringing together all partners to review achievements, finalize deliverables, and approve the final project report. A one-day symposium on “Smart Learning Environments with AR/VR and Digital Twin Technologies” will also be held alongside this meeting, further amplifying the project’s outreach.

The meeting concluded with a strong reaffirmation of the consortium’s shared vision and commitment to excellence. By leveraging immersive technologies and digital innovation, the CATCH_VR Project is poised to make a lasting impact on higher education, research, and industry, contributing significantly to global efforts in digital transformation and sustainable development. – PR

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