The Royal Society of Chemistry has awarded a 2024 Horizon Prize for Education to an international team, including Dr Blanka Hilton (Lecturer in Applied Bioscience at Kent’s School of Natural Sciences), for their creation of the 3DI and ISCC Virtual Reality Institutes. This virtual reality (VR)-based initiative, where specialist digital virtual centres can be used in the same way as real buildings, aims to make science education accessible, sustainable, and globally connected, breaking down traditional barriers in scientific training.
Through a collaboration involving institutions such as ICT Mumbai, Marmara University in Turkey, UCL, and Queen Mary University of London, the VR based platform provides a platform for immersive digital learning that is both inclusive and eco-friendly.
At Kent, this initiative has led to the development of Kent’s very own VR-based institute for training, designed to extend this collaborative vision and serve the needs of apprentices and students. Dr Hilton has pioneered the integration of this VR technology into sustainable training programs and has been leading the development of VR- enhanced training for science degree apprentices at Kent for the past three years. By collaborating with employers, she has introduced VR-based poster sessions and interactive labs, where students can present research, participate in practical simulations, and connect with industry partners — all while minimising travel and resource use, reinforcing Kent’s commitment to employer-friendly sustainable global education.
Dr Hilton said: ‘The 3DI Virtual Reality Institute is a groundbreaking example of how VR can democratise and modernise science education. At Kent, we’re committed to using this technology to create a more inclusive and environmentally sustainable learning model.’
The technological foundation of the concept of Virtual Reality Institutes was developed by Dr Stephen Hilton at UCL. His VR software is designed to blend multilingual conversational AI avatars with interactive virtual environments, enabling students to engage in real-time lab simulations, collaborative training, and virtual poster sessions. By offering 24/7 access to these digital resources, the platform ensures that students around the world can participate in hands-on learning experiences and scientific discussions as if they were in a physical lab by simply putting on a low-cost virtual reality headset.
Supported by the British Council, the 3DI Institute aligns with global sustainability goals by reducing carbon emissions from travel while building collaborative scientific training across borders. With over 700 students and educators already benefiting from the platform, the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Horizon Prize recognizes the 3DI Institute’s potential to reshape science education for a global audience.
Screenshot from 3DI and ISCC Virtual Reality Institutes software