Engineering and technology students explore VR, AR possibilities in technology demo

The Palestine Techno Park, in cooperation with the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, launched its first virtual- and augmented-reality technology demo day, titled “DISCOVER,” on Birzeit University’s campus on Saturday, May 4, 2019. 

“DISCOVER” is an initiative that aims to promote new immersive and interactive technologies such as virtual- and augmented-reality technologies to students and youth in Palestine. During the event, students were invited to test and experience these technologies firsthand using high-end equipment provided by the techno park’s AR\VR Innovation Lab. 

Rasem Suwan, director of Palestine Techno Park, explained that this technology demo day is part of the AR\VR Innovation Lab’s plans and programs to spur research that utilizes the latest technologies available. 

Highlighting its focus on new emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, financial technology, augmented reality, and virtual reality, Suwan explained that the Innovation Labs aim to introduce cutting-edge technologies to foster development in Palestine, linking the academia and the private sector with the aims of developing and providing innovative market-oriented solutions. 

Wasel Ghanem, dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, highlighted the faculty’s efforts to encourage students to produce research that uses virtual and augmented reality technologies, adding that the faculty is building and maintaining partnerships with local, regional, and international partners to promote research and development in numerous areas and on a wide range of topics.