Bridging Innovation and Education
The School of Chemical Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), is embracing the future of education with its groundbreaking work in the HECOF project. As part of this Erasmus+ initiative, NTUA is leveraging Virtual Reality (VR) technology to enhance learning in chemical engineering, specifically focusing on the extraction of bioactive materials from olive leaves.
In December 2024, a group of NTUA students took part in the first evaluation of the HECOF system, marking a significant milestone in integrating immersive digital tools into higher education. This hands-on experience allowed them to interact with cutting-edge VR applications that simulate laboratory experiments in a highly engaging way.
Adaptemy helped make learning more personal and effective for NTUA students during the HECOF pilot. By designing interactive lessons that worked alongside the VR experience, they ensured students could grasp complex concepts at their own pace. This made the transition from virtual practice to real lab work smoother, boosting confidence and understanding.
Transforming Learning with VR
The evaluation process consisted of multiple stages, during which students explored the functionalities of the HECOF system and provided feedback on their experiences. The highlight of the process? The VR laboratory. Students had the unique opportunity to conduct virtual experiments before stepping into a physical lab, making complex chemical processes more accessible and easier to grasp.
Their reactions were overwhelmingly positive:
“I really enjoyed the whole process. This is how future education should be!”
“It was a great experience—easy to use and very engaging!”
“I learned so much before even stepping into the actual laboratory!”
Why This Matters for the Future of Education
The HECOF project, funded by the European Union, aims to redefine teaching methods in higher education by integrating AI-powered adaptive learning and immersive VR environments. NTUA’s role in this initiative showcases how emerging technologies can:
✅ Enhance student engagement through interactive and personalized learning experiences
✅ Improve knowledge retention by allowing students to practice in a risk-free virtual setting
✅ Prepare future engineers with hands-on training before working in real-world laboratories
The Road Ahead
With the successful first evaluation completed, NTUA continues to refine and expand the use of the HECOF system. As education evolves in the digital age, projects like this open the door to smarter, more immersive, and more effective learning experiences in higher education.