Virtual Innovation Consortium

VIC Newsletter March 2026 - June 2026

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Please see below the VIC Newsletter for March 2026 - June 2026

VIC Newsletter March 2026 - June 2026

VIC Summer School 2026 Successfully Concluded in Lisbon

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The VIC Summer School 2026 has successfully concluded following an inspiring week of learning, collaboration, and innovation in Lisbon, Portugal.

Held from 22–26 June 2026 at ISTEC, Lisbon, the Summer School brought together participants from across Europe to explore the latest developments in Extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). More than a training programme, the event created a dynamic environment for knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and networking among professionals, researchers, educators, entrepreneurs, and creatives passionate about emerging technologies.

ISTEC Summer School in XR & Artificial Intelligence

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Join us for the ISTEC Summer School in XR & Artificial Intelligence, an international one-week programme designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

XR Futures Conference 2026: "Education, Innovation and Industry in Europe"

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

On 4 June 2026, the XR Futures Conference 2026: “Education, Innovation and Industry in Europe” brought together an inspiring community of educators, researchers, industry leaders, innovators, students, and XR professionals at FORUM Factory in Berlin.

Organised by the Virtual Innovation Consortium (VIC), the full-day conference provided a dynamic platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration focused on the future of Extended Reality (XR) and its growing role in skills development, education, research, and industry across Europe.

Unity Horror Game Workshop: Building a First-Person Escape Experience

Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Unity Horror Game Workshop: Building a First-Person Escape Experience

Enter the world of horror game development with Unity!

XR Futures: Education, Innovation and Industry in Europe

Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🚀 Registrations are now OPEN for the XR Futures Conference 2026!

“XR Futures: Education, Innovation and Industry in Europe”

📍 FORUM Factory, Berlin 🗓 4 June 2026 | 10:00–17:00 CET Secure your spot here: https://luma.com/pwklk0vp

Organised by the Virtual Innovation Consortium, this full-day event brings together leaders from education, industry, and research to explore how Extended Reality (XR) is transforming skills, learning, and innovation across Europe.

Expect a dynamic programme featuring:

SAVE THE DATE!

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Join us in Berlin for the XR Futures Conference 2026 🚀

“XR Futures: Education, Innovation and Industry in Europe”

📍 FORUM Factory, Berlin 🗓 4 June 2026 | 10:00–17:00 CET

Organised by the Virtual Innovation Consortium (https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtual-innovation-consortium/), this full-day event brings together education, industry and research to explore how Extended Reality (XR) is shaping the future of skills, learning and innovation across Europe.

From XR in education to industry applications and talent development, the conference will feature:

Presentation - VIC Master's Degree

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The VIC Master’s Degree Programme in Immersive Technologies and Artificial Intelligence has been presented to prospective students on April 18th at an Open Day hosted by Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma - UNINT (https://www.linkedin.com/company/universita-degli-studi-internazionali-di-roma/) . During the event, attendees engaged directly with key university services, orientation, placement and internships, international mobility, student administration, and accommodation. They also had the chance to connect with current students and participated in a hands-on workshop on Cybersecurity and Metaverse, gaining a practical and engaging insight into university life.

VIC Webinar - 3D Modelling for a whole digital world

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

We demonstrated how advanced 3D modelling is shaping both immersive digital environments and real-world industry applications during our second webinar introducing the VIC Advanced Training Programme on March 26 at Politecnico di Milano (https://www.linkedin.com/company/polimi/). Full video available here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgW5qxe7UKo

Advanced Training Programme – Second Webinar

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A second webinar presenting the VIC Advanced Training Programme will take place on Thursday, March 26, from 18:30 to 20:00 CET at Politecnico di Milano, ABC Department / VIC Immersive Tech and AI Lab, and online.

Our Webinar on Gamification & Serious Games in the Metaverse took place on 26 February

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The event opened the recruitment for our Advanced Training Programme. See this link for more information.

During this focused session, we explored how gamification, game design, and serious games can transform social XR spaces and metaverses into engaging, inclusive, and meaningful experiences. Participants discovered how to choose the right representation styles, interaction models, and game mechanics to align technology, audience needs, and project goals. The webinar also highlighted how motivational design, storytelling, and Positive Psychology shape user behaviour, participation, and emotional connection in immersive environments.

VIC Newsletter November 2025 - February 2026

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Please see below the VIC Newsletter for November 2025 - February 2026

VIC Newsletter November 2025 February 2026

Gamification & Serious Games in the Metaverse

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Playful Virtual Environments are a reality. We present a focused webinar on how gamification, game design, and serious games can transform social XR spaces and metaverses into engaging, inclusive, and meaningful experiences. The session explores how to choose the right representation styles, interaction models, and game mechanics to align technology, audience needs, and project goals. Discover how motivational design, storytelling, and Positive Psychology shape user behaviour, participation, and emotional connection in immersive environments.

VIC Event "Designing the Future: AI, Robotics, and Immersive Technologies"

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A VIC event “Designing the Future: AI, Robotics, and Immersive Technologies” took place at UNINT as a part of National STEM Week.

On the occasion of National STEM Week, the Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma – UNINT was pleased to host the event “Designing the Future: AI, Robotics, and Immersive Technologies,” which took place on February 11. The event was part of the VIC project and was organized by the UNINT working group on virtual and augmented reality (REAL).

Designing the Future: AI, Robotics, and Immersive Technologies

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

On the occasion of National STEM Week, the Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma – UNINT is pleased to host the event “Designing the Future: AI, Robotics, and Immersive Technologies,” taking place on February 11 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

The event is part of the VIC project and is organized by the UNINT working group on virtual and augmented reality (REAL).

Held in person at the University and also available via live streaming, the meeting will explore emerging technologies and their growing impact on education, inclusion, and society. Through institutional contributions, scientific presentations, and live demonstrations of social robotics and immersive tools, the event will highlight the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence, XR, and innovative educational models, with special attention to Women in Tech and the future of STEM skills.

Open Day - VIC Master's Degree

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Computer Engineering for Immersive Technologies and Artificial Intelligence (LM-32)

On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the Open Day of the Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma – UNINT successfully took place, offering prospective students the chance to explore the VIC Master’s Degree:

Computer Engineering for Immersive Technologies and Artificial Intelligence (LM-32) starting during 2026/2027 academic year. Participants were able to attend both in person and via live streaming, with the opportunity to ask questions to the speakers even remotely.

VIC Newsletter June - October 2025

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Please see below the VIC Newsletter for June - October 2025

VIC Newsletter June October 2025

VIC Conference 2025

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We are proud to share that over 200 people attended the VIC 2025 Conference in Lisbon on 29 October.

VIC Conference 2025 Goals

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

“Over the next four years, VIC will train more than 600 participants, with at least 60% coming from non-ICT fields such as healthcare, education, architecture, culture, and design", said Professor Gisela Canelhas at the VIC 2025 Conference on 29 October in Lisbon.

VIC Conference 2025 Materials

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Please find below materials for the VIC 2025 Press Conference on 30 October.

Virtual Innovation Consortium to collaborate with XRLAB – Palo Alto Barcelona

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dr. Òscar Garcia-Pañella, ENTI-UB, part of VIC, held a stakeholders’ meeting with the recently opened XRLAB in Palo Alto, Barcelona on 26 September.

Presentation at AI&Me Conference

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The VIC Project was presented at AI&Me: Living with AI, Robots & Metaverse, an experiential conference organized by UNINT – Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma – during Rome Future Week.

Interview Bloomberg TV

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We’re excited to share the interview of Dr. Maria Mateeva Kazakova (RAS institute) with Bloomberg TV Bulgaria, where she highlights VIC’s goals and accomplishments.

VIC Conference 2025

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

VIC Conference 2025: Unlocking the Power of XR Across Sectors

Immersive technologies such as Virtual and Augmented Reality are no longer confined to gaming or high-tech labs. Today, they are transforming healthcare, education, cultural heritage, architecture, design, entertainment, and industry.

Opportunity within the VIC project

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We are pleased to share an opportunity for aspiring researchers in the field of Virtual Reality and Digital Innovation.

Interview in Fakti Online Media

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We are proud to share that interview about VIC was published in Fakti.

Article in The Telepgraph Newspaper

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We are happy to share that an article on VIC has been published in the Telegraph, Bulgaria.

Publication in Il Mattino

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We’re proud to share that the Virtual Innovation Consortium has been featured in Il Mattino, one of Italy’s leading newspapers.

Privacy Policy

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us. This policy outlines what data we collect, how we use it, and your rights in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Website Analytics

We use Matomo, a privacy-focused analytics platform, to better understand how visitors interact with our website. Matomo is self-hosted on our own infrastructure.

What We Collect

By default, Matomo collects the following information:

Anonymized IP address (last 2 bytes removed)
Pages visited
Time spent on pages
Referring website
Browser type and operating system
Screen resolution

We do not collect or store any personal identifiable information (PII) such as names, email addresses, or exact IP addresses.

New Project Presentation Video

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We are proud to share our new project presentation video. Please see it on the link below.

Kick-Off Event

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Virtual Innovation Consortium to Launch with Kick-Off Event in Lisbon and Online Press Conference

Lisbon, Portugal — October 2025

The Virtual Innovation Consortium is proud to announce the official launch of its ambitious project aimed at accelerating the application of immersive technologies across a wide range of sectors.

About

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

VIC is an EU-backed initiative tackling the advanced digital skills gap by focusing on Extended Reality (XR)—including Augmented and Virtual Reality. The project brings together universities, research institutions, VET providers, and industry leaders to deliver cutting-edge training in immersive technologies. Designed for both ICT professionals and non-traditional audiences—from educators and healthcare workers to designers and engineers—these programmes support reskilling and upskilling, with a focus on inclusion, innovation, and job-readiness. By combining academic excellence with industry collaboration, VIC ensures graduates gain practical, market-aligned skills, boosting employability and contributing to Europe’s digital transformation.

Contact

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Coordinator

ISTEC Lisbon

Gisela Canelhas & Pedro Brandão | vic@my.istec.pt

Media Contacts

Research, Analysis and Strategy Institute

Maria Mateeva-Kazakova | kazakovamm@rasinstitute.com

Our Consortium

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

A Pan-European Consortium Shaping the Future of XR.

Our consortium brings together partners from 9 countries, combining complementary strengths across higher education research, vocational training, and industry.

Higher Education Institutions from Portugal, Spain, and Italy contribute strong academic foundations in computer science, digital media, and cybersecurity, with a shared focus on innovation, internationalisation, and alignment with labour market needs.

Research Centres based in Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, France offer cutting-edge expertise in immersive technologies, XR, 3D modelling, and strategic policy research, ensuring both technological excellence and alignment with European priorities. VET Providers from Kosovo and France deliver inclusive, practice-oriented ICT training, with specialised programmes in network development, app creation, and immersive digital tools like VR.

Programmes

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

This project is developing innovative educational pathways to equip Europe’s workforce for the digital future through a unique collaboration between higher education institutions, vocational education and training (VET) providers, industry partners, and research organisations.

What We’re Creating:

A specialised Master’s Programme (ISCED Level 7, 120 ECTS) tailored to XR technologies

An advanced training programme offering flexible, self-standing modules

An annual Summer School focused on hands-on XR skills and collaboration.

Who It’s For:

Registration: Advanced Training Programme

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

1. Essential Contact Information

Full Name:

Email:

LinkedIn Profile:

2. Demographic & Diversity (Inclusive)

Country Of Residence:

Gender:

Age Range:

3. Academic & Professional Background

Highest Level of Education:

Current Professional Status:

Field of Study/Work:

Years in Tech:

4. Technical Readiness (Lead Scorer)

AI/Immersive Proficiency (1–5):

Hardware access:

VR Headset AR-capable smartphone High-performance PC

5. Intent & Marketing Data

Primary goal:

How Did You Hear About Us?:

I agree to receive future course information and newsletters

Registration: Gamification Webinar

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

1. Essential Contact Information

Full Name:

Email:

LinkedIn Profile:

2. Demographic & Diversity (Inclusive)

Country Of Residence:

Gender:

Age Range:

3. Academic & Professional Background

Highest Level of Education:

Current Professional Status:

Field of Study/Work:

Years in Tech:

4. Technical Readiness (Lead Scorer)

AI/Immersive Proficiency (1–5):

Hardware access:

VR Headset AR-capable smartphone High-performance PC

5. Intent & Marketing Data

Primary goal:

How Did You Hear About Us?:

I agree to receive future course information and newsletters

Registration: Webinar Unity Horror

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

1. Essential Contact Information

Full Name:

Email:

LinkedIn Profile:

2. Demographic & Diversity (Inclusive)

Country Of Residence:

Gender:

Age Range:

3. Academic & Professional Background

Highest Level of Education:

Current Professional Status:

Field of Study/Work:

Years in Tech:

4. Technical Readiness (Lead Scorer)

AI/Immersive Proficiency (1–5):

Hardware access:

VR Headset AR-capable smartphone High-performance PC

5. Intent & Marketing Data

Primary goal:

How Did You Hear About Us?:

I agree to receive future course information and newsletters

Virtual Innovation Consortium

VIC Newsletter March 2026 - June 2026

VIC Summer School 2026 Successfully Concluded in Lisbon

ISTEC Summer School in XR & Artificial Intelligence

XR Futures Conference 2026: "Education, Innovation and Industry in Europe"

Unity Horror Game Workshop: Building a First-Person Escape Experience

XR Futures: Education, Innovation and Industry in Europe

SAVE THE DATE!

Presentation - VIC Master's Degree

VIC Webinar - 3D Modelling for a whole digital world

Advanced Training Programme – Second Webinar

Our Webinar on Gamification & Serious Games in the Metaverse took place on 26 February

VIC Newsletter November 2025 - February 2026

Gamification & Serious Games in the Metaverse

VIC Event "Designing the Future: AI, Robotics, and Immersive Technologies"

Designing the Future: AI, Robotics, and Immersive Technologies

Open Day - VIC Master's Degree

VIC Newsletter June - October 2025

VIC Conference 2025

VIC Conference 2025 Goals

VIC Conference 2025 Materials

Virtual Innovation Consortium to collaborate with XRLAB – Palo Alto Barcelona

Presentation at AI&Me Conference

Interview Bloomberg TV

VIC Conference 2025

VIC Conference 2025: Unlocking the Power of XR Across Sectors

Opportunity within the VIC project

Interview in Fakti Online Media

Article in The Telepgraph Newspaper

Publication in Il Mattino

Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Website Analytics

What We Collect

New Project Presentation Video

Kick-Off Event

Virtual Innovation Consortium to Launch with Kick-Off Event in Lisbon and Online Press Conference

About

Contact

Coordinator

ISTEC Lisbon

Media Contacts

Research, Analysis and Strategy Institute

Sign up for our newsletter

Our Consortium

Programmes

Registration: Advanced Training Programme

Registration: Gamification Webinar

Registration: Webinar Unity Horror