Blog ITW 2023 Welcomes Hogeschool Rotterdam as key partner

Rotterdam, 5th September, 2023 – VRDays Foundation is proud to announce its partnership with Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (RUAS) for Immersive Tech Week 2023 (ITW2023), which will take place from November 28 to December 1 at de Doelen in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The festival will serve as a dynamic platform for RUAS, bringing together educational institutions, professionals from diverse sectors, and a cohort of aspiring students and recent graduates to explore immersive technologies from a multifaceted perspective, ranging from healthcare and art to the social and economic domains.

Key highlights of the partnership

1. Multidisciplinary Collaborative Hackathon: The heart of Immersive Tech Week lies in collaboration and creativity to foster sustainable development of technology. The hackathon is part of RUAS’ and VRDays’ joint mission to engage students in the meaningful use of digital technology. During two and a half days, students will work alongside peers from various disciplines and educational institutes, fostering innovation and creativity. Last year’s edition witnessed Team Octopi’s groundbreaking concept: a sign language learning application designed as a response to a challenge posed by the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). Wessel Roelofse, a member of the winning team, exclaimed, “I didn’t know that hackathons could be so much fun and useful for your portfolio too.” The winning concept was developed in collaboration with TNO and has the potential for further refinement during internships.

2. Showcasing Talent: Immersive Tech Week’s free-for-all Playground, which showcases the newest in VR and AR technology, offers students and alumni from RUAS and other educational institutes a stage to shine, enabling them to spotlight their most exceptional projects to an audience of tech enthusiasts.

3. Masterclasses: During the conference programme of ITW 3, expert-led masterclasses will be given. In addition, there will be a virtual fashion lecture programme hosted by the Willem de Kooning Academy.

4. Student XR Awards: Current students and recent graduates can submit their projects for the Student XR Awards, competing in various categories for coveted prizes.

Igniting a Social Future with Technology

Immersive Tech Week 2023 isn’t just about technology; it’s about envisioning a future where technology intersects with societal needs. The event underscores the commitment of RUAS and VRDays to nurturing young minds and fostering meaningful and socially relevant technology applications. This partnership provides students the opportunity to broaden their knowledge about immersive technology, expand their network, work on their portfolio, and put their projects in the spotlight.
VRDays Foundation and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences are eager to welcome participants, industry experts, and enthusiasts to the 2023 edition of Immersive Tech Week and create a mutually beneficial experience for both the industry and students alike.

For more details and updates leading up to Immersive Tech Week 2023, please visit the VRDays website or the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (Hogeschool Rotterdam) website.