Resources and support for Extended Reality (XR) at UM
XR equipment access
All faculties received VR glasses (Oculus Quest 2), which every teacher and student can use in their classes. On page 51 of the report, find the contact your faculty's designated XR support person to make a reservation.
Maastricht University offers dedicated spaces for XR exploration and development:
The DEXLab is part of the School of Business and Economics (SBE) at Maastricht University. It serves as a resource for both staff and students, functioning as a hub for digital research and technology-enhanced learning (TEL). DEXLab's mission is to cultivate a thriving ecosystem where research on emerging technologies and innovation in education converge, providing a dynamic space for the exchange of knowledge centred on digital experiences in business settings. DEXLab serves as a beacon of open and accountable science, fostering collaboration and enhancing a network of similar initiatives across the university.
Student Opportunities: DEXLab regularly hosts Bachelor's and Master's thesis students, as well as visiting PhD researchers. In 2024-2025, the lab welcomed 10 Master's thesis internships, 3 Business Engineering thesis research projects, and multiple visiting PhD researchers focusing on human interaction with artificial intelligence. Students interested in XR technology can contact the lab about potential thesis or research opportunities.
The Plant serves as a resource for both staff and students seeking support and tools for their digital research and education endeavours. It provides an environment where faculty members are encouraged to explore their ideas freely, unburdened by the apprehension of failure. It is within this intellectual, physical, and technical space that creative thinking is nurtured, and innovative solutions are born.
In essence, The Plant is akin to a nurturing environment where growth occurs, much like a plant that extends both vertically, in terms of 'height,' and in 'depth.' Similar to the way a plant thrives through essential elements like water, soil, light, and the presence of other plants, the activities within The Plant depend on interactions among skilled professionals, active learners, (digital) technologies, time, and space. The Plant fosters a supportive environment for researchers and educators, especially those new to digital technology, guiding them through the learning curve and providing space for experimentation.
In line with the aim to transform the UM community into becoming digitally literate, the University Library is transforming its multimedia facilities into Digital Labs, integrating Virtual and Extended Reality (VR/XR) into its services. As part of this transition, students and staff are invited to participate in VR test sessions to explore how immersive technology can enhance well-being.
Upcoming events: Discover how Virtual Reality (VR) can enhance well-being at Maastricht University. Join VR test sessions at Randwyck Library and explore immersive technology in a guided, hands-on experience. During these sessions, participants can experience and evaluate different VR applications under the guidance of library staff. No prior experience with VR is required, just curiosity and an open mind.
UM does not have an infrastructure in place yet (hardware, manuals, maintenance, lending out, rostering, taking care of ‘onboarding’ when one starts using XR), but together with the UM VR network, this is a topic to join forces on.