TV host opens university's virtual reality centre

Sandi Toksvig officially opened the Extended Reality Peterborough (XRP) facility at Anglia Ruskin University

Writer and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig has opened a university's virtual reality educational experience.

The £5.7m Extended Reality Peterborough (XRP) extended reality facility at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Peterborough will combine elements of the virtual and the real world to create an immersive educational experience.

It will support simulated learning in Peterborough and the ARU campuses in Cambridge and Chelmsford.

Toksvig, who hosts QI and is also founder of the Women’s Equality Party, delivered a guest lecture about the new Mappa Mundi project at Cambridge University, which she is leading.

The Mappa Mundi project aims to create a new digital resource documenting women’s position, achievements and struggles across the globe.

XRP allows students to become active participants in their learning with technology that lets users feel they have stepped inside a giant VR headset.

The specialist technology can simulate workplace environments such as hospital wards, labs, and engineering workshops, and there are also plans to open the facilities to local employers to assist with staff training.

The future Centre of Excellence is on the ground floor of the Innovation and Research Centre at ARU Peterborough and was majority-funded with £13.78m from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Business Board’s Get Building Fund.

“The Lab”, the third phase of ARU Peterborough, is due to open this summer.

Toksvig said: "My project will be a three-dimensional, interactive view of the globe from a female perspective, with the goal of changing the world by learning to see it differently.

“I’m delighted to see that ARU Peterborough is also doing things very differently, and the fabulous new technology on offer to students is quite breathtaking.”

Principal Ross Renton welcomed Toksvig to ARU Peterborough

Professor Ross Renton, principal of ARU Peterborough, said it was an “honour” to welcome Ms Toksvig

“ARU Peterborough is being purpose built with the very latest technology to equip our students for the workplaces of the future. Instead of traditional ‘chalk and talk’, this facility puts students centre of their learning, with an opportunity to try new skills in a safe but realistic environment."

Chair of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Business Board, Al Kingsley, said: “Sandi’s visit marks another step forward for ARU Peterborough.

“With the facilities set to be available to the wider business community to improve workforce skills, this is yet another example of the wider impact and benefit this fantastic new university is having.”