The Virtual Innovation Consortium (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.

Consortium Coordinator

Consortium Partners

STEP Seal for Highly Innovative Project

We are proud to announce that the Virtual Innovation Consortium was awarded the STEP Seal. The STEP Seal is a tool to promote and support high-quality projects that contribute to Europe's strategic technological development.

Updates

Step into the Future of XR with VIC at the Engineering Festival

20 September 2026 · 10:00–16:30 · Leonardo Campus, Politecnico di Milano

What will the technologies of tomorrow look like — and how will they change the way we learn, work, design and connect?

On 20 September 2026, the VIC – Virtual Innovation Consortium will bring the future of extended reality (XR), immersive technologies and social robotics to the Engineering Festival at Politecnico di Milano.

Designed as an interactive innovation playground, the VIC experience invites visitors of all ages and levels of expertise to explore emerging technologies through hands-on activities, immersive experiences and encounters with the researchers, universities, research centres and companies developing these solutions.

Professor Marco Romano (UNINT) Discusses the Future of AI and Human-Centred Innovation in New Interview

Professor Marco Romano (UNINT), one of the academic partners in Virtual Innovation Consortium (VIC), has shared his perspectives on the future of artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, cybersecurity and the role of people in the technological transformation of Europe in a newly published interview with FAKTI.

UNINT’s Master’s Degree in Computer Engineering for Immersive Technologies and Artificial Intelligence is now accredited

The Master’s Degree in Computer Engineering for Immersive Technologies and Artificial Intelligence (LM-32) at Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma (UNINT) has officially received accreditation, marking an important milestone for advanced education in immersive and secure digital technologies.

Interview Associate Professor Cecilia Bolognesi

We are delighted to share the latest media interview of Associate Professor Cecilia Bolognesi (Polmi) highlighting the progress of VIC.

Open day at International Studies of Rome (UNINT)

The University of International Studies of Rome (UNINT) welcomed prospective students to its Open Day, offering an in-depth introduction to the Master’s Degree Programme in Immersive Technologies and Artificial Intelligence, developed within the framework of the Virtual Innovation Consortium (VIC). The event was chaired by Professor Marco Romano and featured a keynote contribution from Gabriele Randelli, AI Customer Engineer at Google, who shared insights into the evolving role of artificial intelligence across industry and innovation.

VIC Newsletter March 2026 - June 2026

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

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

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"

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

Enter the world of horror game development with Unity!

XR Futures: Education, Innovation and Industry in Europe

🚀 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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

VIC Newsletter November 2025 February 2026

Gamification & Serious Games in the Metaverse

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"

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

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

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

Please see below the VIC Newsletter for June - October 2025

VIC Newsletter June October 2025

VIC Conference 2025

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

VIC Conference 2025 Goals

“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

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

Virtual Innovation Consortium to collaborate with XRLAB – Palo Alto Barcelona

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

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

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

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.

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.