Greenwich, UK - The Royal Society of Chemistry has awarded the 2024 Horizon Prize for Education to the 3DI Virtual Reality Institute and the International Sustainable Chemistry Consortium (ISCC), two complementary initiatives that use virtual reality (VR) to break down educational barriers and promote sustainable science training. Professor Kevin Lam, a leading figure in electrochemistry at the University of Greenwich, played a significant role in the ISCC’s efforts to advance sustainable chemistry education through virtual platforms.
The ISCC, a collaborative project originally created to build educational links between the UK and India, now extends its reach as part of the 3DI Institute’s global network. Developed by Dr. Stephen Hilton at UCL, the VR software used in the 3DI Institute and ISCC provides multilingual AI avatars and realistic laboratory simulations that make advanced scientific training accessible to students worldwide via the use of low-cost VR headsets. Professor Lam’s pioneering work in electrochemistry is a key feature within the ISCC’s curriculum, allowing students to explore electrochemical processes and techniques in an immersive, virtual setting, regardless of geographic limitations.
Professor Lam emphasized the impact of this collaborative initiative: “The ISCC and 3DI Virtual Reality Institute bring complex scientific training to students who might otherwise lack access to high-level labs. By integrating electrochemistry into a virtual environment, we’re providing sustainable, inclusive educational opportunities that reduce the need for travel and physical resources.”
Supported by the British Government and the British Council, the 3DI Virtual Reality Institute aligns with the ISCC’s mission to build international collaboration and sustainability. This VR-based approach minimizes environmental impact while enabling real-time global learning and research exchange, setting a new model for science education that is both scalable and eco-friendly.
The Royal Society of Chemistry’s recognition of the ISCC and 3DI Institute underscores their combined potential to transform science education and provide a sustainable solution for training the next generation of scientists.
For more information on the 3DI Virtual Reality Institute and ISCC, visit these links below: ISCC - https://indouk-iscc.net/ 3DI network - https://www.3di-printing.org/
