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EUA calls for public investment in virtual reality technologies

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Private investment in metaverse and other virtual worlds not enough, says European University Association

Public investment in virtual reality technologies is needed to meet the needs of academia and wider society, according to the European University Association.

Virtual reality is increasingly being used in research and education, for activities including simulation, modelling, virtual mobility and collaboration, the EUA said on 3 May.

It is “vital” that such activities be “underpinned by physical and digital infrastructure that enables innovation and safeguards academic values”, the group said.

To achieve this, even with an increase in private investment, “ambitious public investment will remain a necessity if universities are to contribute to the development and use of these technologies”, it said.

The EUA called for additional support for universities to develop, maintain and access public virtual infrastructures, as well as commercial options, which it said should not be dominated by a small number of large companies.

“It is unlikely that the existing European programmes will be sufficient for the necessary investment, beyond the financing of pilot projects or similar,” it said.

EU standards

The group also recommended the development of EU-level standards for virtual technologies, to promote access, interoperability and privacy.

A governance structure for such technologies must include a diverse set of stakeholders including from higher education and research, it said, and would benefit from EU foresight “to monitor the development of virtual worlds and identify trends, needs and opportunities”.

The suggestions came in EUA input to a European Commission consultation on “emerging virtual worlds”, such as so-called metaverses, which closes today.

Commission proposals for EU policies on the development of such technologies are expected to follow.