THRIVE: 10 Four years later, all of this has been made possible with the launch of the UJ Extended Reality (XR) Laboratory, in collaboration with UJ Metaverse Research Unit and the support of the Erasmus+ Funded SUCSESS project. The project enabled funding for the purchase of equipment such as a 360-degree camera, virtual reality (VR) headsets and theHoloLens to be used in the laboratory. The SUCSESS project, a partnership between: University of Johannesburg, Haaga-Helia University, University of Zululand, University of Oulu, University of Pretoria, and Sheffield Hallam University, started in 2020. The focus of the project is to improve collaboration with industry and enable better teaching and learning practices using technology – all with the aim of improving graduate employability. The XR facility is one of the key outcomes of the SUCSESS project. Through mentorship, coaching and benchmarking done in the USA and Finland, we are pleased to have been able to bring this facility to life. So, you may be questioning, why XR technology and what does it have to do with research? The short answer is that we will be adopting this technology for use in research, training, teaching, and learning. XR will be used as part of nutrition classes where students will be taught a concept in the classroom, and this will be demonstrated and assessed using XR equipment. In the context of research XR will be used for data collection. However, it is important to highlight that the quality of XR environments depends on time and effort. It also requires plenty of resources to create the real-life environments and experiences, hence the critical role that the SUCSESS project has played as an enabler. Notably, FERL has also received funding support through the University of Johannesburg’s GES 4.0 (Global Excellence Stature) and URC (University Research Committee funds). Since its establishment, FERL has made great strides in terms of research and technology, but all this innovation DOES NOT STOP here. Going forward, FERL aims to attract more funding in order add to the existing equipment that we have so we can continue to conduct innovative researchwith the use of the ever-evolving technology. Current project with VR application The use of VR Technology: Environmental factors influencing dietary choices and food-insecurity in young adults. In this project, a virtual buffet will be developed and customised for research purposes. Virtual food will include both healthy and nonhealthy options, with participants filling their plates with options they would eat. This will then be recorded and assessed. FERL Projects align to the United Nations SDGs: 2 (Zero Hunger); 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing); 12 (Responsible consumption and production) T e c h n o l o g y The XR facilities is one of the key outcomes of the SUCSESS project. Throughmentorship, coaching and benchmarking done in the USA and Finland, we are pleased to have been able to bring this facility to life photo credit (STH)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjU1NDYx