VICVirtual Innovation Consortium

Cecilia Maria Bolognesi (Principal Investigator)

VIC is a project supported by the European Union that addresses the gap in advanced digital skills by focusing on Extended Reality (XR) technologies, including Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). The project brings together universities, research centers, vocational education and training providers, and industry partners with the aim of delivering innovative training pathways in the field of immersive technologies. The programmes are designed both for ICT professionals and for non-traditional digital profiles—such as teachers, healthcare workers, designers, and engineers—supporting upskilling and reskilling pathways. The approach combines inclusion, innovation, and job-market readiness, integrating academic excellence with close collaboration with industry to ensure concrete, immediately applicable skills aligned with Europe’s digital transformation needs.

Among the project’s objectives are:

• Increasing the number of ICT specialists in Europe: through a dedicated Master’s programme and advanced training modules in Virtual Innovation, the project aims to educate highly qualified professionals capable of meeting the growing demand for specialized digital skills.
• Strengthening students’ digital skills: the curriculum covers both foundational theoretical aspects and more advanced topics related to virtual environments, ensuring comprehensive preparation and practical expertise in VR/AR technologies.
• Promoting industry collaboration: thanks to the involvement of industrial partners, the project offers internship opportunities, real-world project work, and expert lectures during training activities such as the Summer School, fostering practice-oriented learning.
• Fostering inclusion and diversity: the project provides scholarships and financial support schemes to ensure access to advanced education for students from diverse backgrounds, promoting equal opportunities in the digital sector.