Purdue University Global Pilots VR Graduation

Purdue's vr headset

Photo: Kaplan Higher Education/Chad Skelton

Graduates at Purdue University Global recently had the option to participate in their commencement ceremonies virtually, thanks to a pilot program using virtual reality to provide an immersive remote experience of the event. While around 400 students attended in-person, about 75 donned VR headsets to see and hear everything as if they were there — including marching in the procession line, sitting with fellow graduates, hearing their name announced and more.

The ceremony was captured in 360-degree video using an Insta360 Pro 2 camera, and streamed live on YouTube 360. In addition, a traditional single-view video feed was broadcast via Facebook Live. Virtual participants received a Purdue Global branded VR headset as well as a commencement program, tassel and other ceremonial accoutrements.

"We are proud to be the first university to offer students who otherwise would not be able to attend the opportunity to share the excitement of graduation in a virtual setting," said Patti Pelletier, director of the learning and leadership community for Purdue Global, in a statement.

The development team for the virtual experience included George Takahashi, lead visualization scientist for Purdue's Research Computing Envision Center, as well as a number of students at the center.

"Our undergraduate and graduate students at the Envision Center are deeply involved in exploring new technologies and the development of interactive visualization and simulation tools for research and learning," explained Takahashi. "Through our time working with Patti, five of our students explored consumer virtual reality platforms and enterprise 360 video recording and streaming technologies with the objective of providing an accessible immersive graduation experiences to those who would otherwise be unable to attend."

The Purdue University Global commencement took place on Thursday, Feb. 27 in Los Angeles.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • illustration of a human head with a glowing neural network in the brain, connected to tech icons on a cool blue-gray background

    Meta Launches Stand-Alone AI App

    Meta Platforms has introduced a stand-alone artificial intelligence app built on its proprietary Llama 4 model, intensifying the competitive race in generative AI alongside OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and xAI.

  • illustration of an open textbook, computer monitor with flowchart, gears, a wrench, and AI cloud symbol

    Wiley Introduces New AI Courseware Tools

    Wiley has created four new tools for its zyBooks courseware platform designed to improve instruction, learning outcomes, and academic integrity in college STEM courses.

  • laptop displaying a phishing email icon inside a browser window on the screen

    Phishing Campaign Targets ED Grant Portal

    Threat researchers at cybersecurity company BforeAI have identified a phishing campaign spoofing the U.S. Department of Education's G5 grant management portal.

  • cloud, database stack, computer screen, binary code, and flowcharts interconnected by lines and arrows

    Salesforce to Acquire Data Management Firm Informatica

    Salesforce has announced plans to acquire data management company Informatica for $8 billion. The deal is aimed at strengthening Salesforce's AI foundation and expanding its enterprise data capabilities.