From August 1st to August 30th, 2023, 15 students along with one instructor from the School of Multimedia Design (SMD) under the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Vietnam, experienced the course “Application of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality in Design” in Rome, Italy. This was the first short-term technology course within the framework of cooperation between UEH and the Pantheon Institute of Technology and Design in Italy. The student delegation immersed themselves in the most exciting and informative AR/VR/MR technologies, creating unforgettable experiences in the capital of Europe’s light.
In today’s Industry 4.0 era, virtual reality technology is unlocking limitless potential and significantly impacting the direction of many industries. With major tech companies like Google, Facebook, and Apple continuously investing in AR/VR/MR, it’s clear that these technologies will continue to grow and become leading trends worldwide.
Recognizing this trend, the SMD department of UEH collaborated with the Pantheon Institute of Technology and Design, Italy, to organize the course “Application of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality in Design” for technology enthusiasts who want to stay ahead of global trends in the future.
The goal of the course is to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively apply VR and AR technology in design and related fields. Additionally, the course helps students integrate VR and AR into the design process, from creating 3D models to presenting design ideas and testing products.
During the August 2023 journey, most of the learning activities of the program took place at the Pantheon Institute of Technology and Design near the Vatican in Rome. The program began with an introduction to the application of virtual reality technology in design by Prof. Andrea Giansanti of the Pantheon Institute of Technology and Design. He introduced and guided students through the necessary software to create AR/VR products and how to apply them in the real-world product creation process. Following this, course participants engaged in practical exercises and experienced augmented reality games with modern equipment provided by the Pantheon Institute. The focus of the experience was primarily on user interaction with the products, allowing students to concentrate on these interaction points when creating their own products.
Group activities and discussions with instructors from Italy provided an excellent opportunity for students to gain more knowledge and experience exploring this new technology trend. Students could also explore many interesting cultural insights and life skills in Italy through valuable advice from local instructors. This multicultural and localized teaching and networking activity emphasized fostering and expanding international relations.
At the end of the course, UEH students had successfully created AR/VR game products, applying the software they learned under the guidance of dedicated instructors. Pantheon Institute instructors reviewed, experienced, and evaluated the products.
The program not only provided students with a solid understanding of virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality technology (AR/VR/MR) but also expanded their cultural knowledge through visits to famous art museums (Vatican Museum, Louvre Museum, Versailles Palace, etc.) and experiences like meeting Pope Francesco.
Reflecting on the one-month journey with the technology application course in Italy, Mr. Dinh Tien Minh, Head of Marketing Department, International Business Faculty, UEH, shared: “The past month’s experience was truly amazing. This time, I learned and updated a lot of new knowledge about technology. When participating in this course, we realized how small we are when there are so many design technology software with different purposes and applications. Besides studying, I and other students learned from each other to achieve the best results. If there are upcoming courses, my advice is for you to attend because you will learn a lot and gain many memorable experiences.”
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son, a former UEH student and one of the course participants, expressed: “Thank you so much to the University and the instructors for giving us the opportunity to study and have fun beneficially. This trip was overall fantastic! The instructors and students were all lovely, kind-hearted, and supportive, creating so many memories during a month in Europe. Whatever products Son creates in the future will surely reflect the image and memories of everyone.“
AR/VR/MR technology is developing rapidly, and mastering this technology can make a difference for students’ futures. The 30-day journey to conquer AR/VR/MR technology by UEH students in Rome, Italy, concluded with unforgettable impressions and opened up new horizons for applying creative AR/VR/MR technology to their real-world work. Additionally, the program nurtured and connected a community interested in and passionate about this technology, fostering development and expansion in the future. We hope that upcoming technology experience courses will continue to receive attention and active participation from students, providing interesting and memorable experiences.
The Pantheon Institute of Technology and Design was established in 1969, located near the Vatican in Rome. With over 50 years of experience, the school is now a quality university and post-university education institution recognized by the AFAM academy block accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities, and Research (MIUR).
University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City – School of Media Design
