Overview

This event highlights the integration of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies to address challenges faced by chemical engineering students in process design. Traditionally reliant on 2D drawings and scaled models, students often struggle to visualise actual equipment sizes and spatial relationships, leading to design distortions and conceptual gaps. Through immersive AR/VR solutions, the event demonstrates how these technologies enhance spatial understanding, improve design accuracy, and bridge the gap between theory and real-world applications. Join us to explore how immersive tech is transforming chemical engineering education and preparing students for industry-relevant, future-ready learning experiences.

Speaker

Dr Tiong Timm Joyce, Associate Professor, University of Nottingham Malaysia

Dr. Tiong Timm Joyce is an award-winning educator and researcher at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, specialising in immersive technologies for engineering education. With a background in chemical engineering and a strong passion for innovative teaching, she leads projects that integrate Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) into the curriculum to enhance spatial understanding and design skills among students.

Dr. Joyce has received prestigious recognitions including the Lord Dearing Award and the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for her excellence in teaching and educational innovation. Her current work focuses on developing AR/VR platforms to address gaps in traditional learning methods and improve student engagement in STEM.

The material presented in this webinar has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenter's own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Education Special Interest Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE

Agenda

• Introduction to the event and relevance to immersive technologies in chemical engineering education
• Overview of current teaching practices
• Challenges faced by students
• Showcase of AR and VR enviornments simulating process equipment and plant layouts
• Examples of the tools in improving spatial understanding
• Insights into the develpoment process, tools used.
• Future plans
• Closing remarks and Q&A

Time

09:00 - 10:00 BST.

Software

The presentation will be delivered via Microsoft Teams. We recommend downloading the app from the Microsoft website, rather than using the web portal.