Dates, Times, Location
- Dates: MAR 24 | APR 28 | MAY 26 | JUN 23 | JUL 28 | AUG 25 | SEP 22 | OCT 27 | NOV 24 | DEC 22 | JAN 26 | FEB 23 | MAR 22 | APR 26 | MAY 24 | JUN 28 | AUG 23 | OCT 25
- Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time
- Location: VIRTUAL (ZOOM WEBINAR)
Register
Participants who attend a minimum of 50% of sessions will receive a certificate of attendance from CIFAL York
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this monthly seminar series is to provide a platform for academia, education and industry in the field of Virtual Reality (VR) and Extended reality (XR) to share their knowledge and experience in using Virtual Reality based training and education. The seminar will focus on the latest trends and developments in VR technology and its applications in training and education in various fields such as healthcare, education, and more.
CIFAL York also aims to mobilize York University capacities in VR/XR and develop some VR/XR based training and education. In particular CIFAL York is partnering with DEXR Lab to achieve this and create new and innovative training with the use of VR technologies based on leading interdisciplinary research from all relevant fields.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The key goals and objectives of this speaker series are:
- To provide a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences related to VR/XR-based training and education in different domains.
- To create a community of practitioners, researchers, and educators who are interested in VR/XR-based training and education.
- To provide attendees with practical information and tools that they can use in their own work related to VR/XR-based training and education.
- To assess the use of VR/XR technology.
- To foster collaboration and networking among attendees, speakers and stakeholders.
- To stay up-to-date with the latest research, developments and trends in VR/XR-based training and education in public safety, public health, and disaster and emergency management.
- To provide attendees with an opportunity to test and provide feedback on VR/XR applications developed by different developers.
TARGET AUDIENCES
- Professionals, researchers, and students in the field of VR/XR training and education.
- Professionals, researchers, and students in the field of education, training, and educational material design with an interest in VR capabilities.
- Science and engineering professionals, researchers, and students.
SESSION 1 FRIDAY MARCH 24 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Moderator: Dr. Ali Asgary
Professor, Disaster & Emergency Management, School of Administrative Studies, York University
Director, CIFAL York, York University
Speaker: Benjamin Alsbury-Nealy
CEO and Co-Founder of SilicoLabs
Topic
Understanding Human Behaviour Using Extended Reality (XR) for Emergency Management
Speaker: Kyla Alsbury-Nealy
Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder SilicoLabs
Topic
Understanding Human Behaviour Using Extended Reality (XR) for Emergency Management
Speaker: Chirag Chopra
Chief Business Development Officer at SilicoLabs and Chief Innovation Officer at Airlift Emergency Response Operations (AERO)
Topic
Understanding Human Behaviour Using Extended Reality (XR) for Emergency Management
SESSION 2 FRIDAY APRIL 28 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Dr. Eva Hava Peisachovich
Associate Professor, Faculty of Health, School of Nursing, York University
Topic
VR as a Medium to Education Deliverables
Speaker: Dr. Bill Kapralos
Associate Professor & Research Excellence Chair, Software Informatics Research Centre (SIRC), Ontario Tech University
Topic
VR as a Medium to Education Deliverables
Speaker: Gabrielle Hollaender
Graduate Student, Computer Science, Ontario Tech University
Topic
VR as a Medium to Education Deliverables
Speaker: Claire Culver
Graduate Student, Computer Science, Ontario Tech University
Topic
VR as a Medium to Education Deliverables
SESSION 3 FRIDAY MAY 26 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Chris Adams
Director of Business Development, UP360
Topic
Lessons Learned Designing, Implementing, and Supporting VR Learning in Colleges
Speaker: Harrison Olajos
CEO & Co-Founder, UP360
Topic
Lessons Learned Designing, Implementing, and Supporting VR Learning in Colleges
SESSION 4 FRIDAY JUNE 23 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Evan Sitler
CEO & Co-Founder, XpertVR
Topic
XpertVR & The Future of Education
SESSION 5 FRIDAY JULY 28 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Maaz Mohamed
Global Head of Sales, Meynikara XR Technologies
Topic
Virtual Reality (VR) Education Benefits for Students from Economically Disadvantaged Backgrounds
SESSION 6 FRIDAY AUGUST 25 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Dr. Derek Jackson
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, York University
Topic
Making Virtual Reality a Reality in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Classrooms
Speaker: Dr. Kyle Belozerov
Sessional Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, York University
Topic
Making Virtual Reality a Reality in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Classrooms
SESSION 7 FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Muhammad Sajjad Ansar
Ph.D. candidate, Transportation Engineering, Laboratory of Innovations in Transportation (LiTrans), Centre for Urban Innovation, Toronto Metropolitan University
Topic
Driving in the Futuristic Traffic Environments: Exploring Digital Twins and Virtual Reality for Analyzing Road Users’ Behaviour
SESSION 8 FRIDAY OCTOBER 27 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Dr. Mojgan Jadidi
Associate Professor, Civil engineering Department, York University
Topic
Augmented & Virtual Reality Sandboxes as Digital Twins of Learning Spaces
Recording of the Session
SESSION 9 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24 12:00PM-1:00PM (EST)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Dr. Ali Ahmadi
Associate Professor KNT University and Research Associate, ADERSIM, York University
Topic: A Virtual Reality Application for Diagnose and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder
SESSION 10 FRIDAY DECEMBER 22 12:00PM-1:00PM (EST)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Geoff Eisfeld
Co-Creator, The Grid Entertainment Centre Inc.
Topic: Beyond Reality: Navigating the Physical and Mental Frontiers of Virtual Reality
SESSION 11 FRIDAY JANUARY 26 12:00PM-1:00PM (EST)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Russell Foubert
Director, DLX Technology & Innovation, Conestoga College.
Topic: Creating and Sustaining Digital Learning Experiences – Lessons Learned from a College AR/VR Pioneer
Speaker: Jeff Fila
Director, DLX Planning and Operations, Conestoga College
Topic: Creating and Sustaining Digital Learning Experiences – Lessons Learned from a College AR/VR Pioneer
SESSION 12 FRIDAY FEBRUARY 23 12:00PM-1:00PM (EST)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Paul Simon Waiyaki wa Mwithiga
CEO, Africa VR Campus and Centre
Topic: Introduction of VR in Africa
Speaker: Dr. Tom Nickel
New Media Explorer, VR Host, and Mortality Advocate
Topic: Introduction of VR in Africa
Speaker: Diana Njeria Maina
Associate Director, Africa VR Campus and Center and head of young women metaverse programmes.
Topic: Introduction of VR in Africa
SESSION 13 FRIDAY MARCH 22 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Rob Theriault
Immersive Technology Manager, Georgian College
Topic: XR & AI Enabled Experiential Learning
SESSION 14 FRIDAY APRIL 26 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Dr. Ali Asgary
Professor, Disaster & Emergency Management, York University
Topic: Virtual Reality for Natural Hazards & Risks’ Education & Training
SESSION 15 FRIDAY MAY 24 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Maaz Mohamed
Global Head of Sales, Meynikara XR Technologies
Topic: Immersive Horizon: Exploring Extended Reality and Spatial Computing solutions for Industry 4.0
Speaker: Rakesh Ravindran
VP & Global Head – GTM and Strategy, Meynikara XR Technologies
Topic: Immersive Horizon: Exploring Extended Reality and Spatial Computing solutions for Industry 4.0
SESSION 16 FRIDAY JUNE 28 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Jamie Oresar
Curriculum Coordinator, Professor of Sociology & Equity Studies, Welland Campus, Niagara College
Topic: It’s an IDEA: Learning to Foster Authentic Inclusion and Accessibility Through VR
Speaker: Jim McEwan
Adaptive Technology Specialist, Niagara College
Topic: It’s an IDEA: Learning to Foster Authentic Inclusion and Accessibility Through VR
Speaker: Dr. Maureen Connolly
Professor, Physical Education and Kinesiology in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University
Topic: It’s an IDEA: Learning to Foster Authentic Inclusion and Accessibility Through VR
SESSION 17 FRIDAY AUGUST 23 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Speaker: Dr. Daniel Hawes
Adjunct Research Professor, School of Information Technology, Carleton University; Writer, Producer, Academic Research, and Technology Entrepreneur
Topic: VR-Based Transformational Learning Experiences
SESSION 18 FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 12:00PM-1:00PM (EDT)
Moderator: TBD
Speaker: Dr. Ahmad Mohammadi
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Topic: Developing Virtual Reality Traffic CoSimulation Tools For Data Collection, Driver Simulator for Training, and Digital Twin
Organizer & Partners
Organizer
CIFAL York is part of UNITAR’s global network of training centres for knowledge-sharing, training, and capacity-building for public and private leaders, local authorities, and civil society. CIFAL Centres are local and regional hubs for innovative, participatory and co-creative knowledge exchange opportunities to support decision-making processes, build capacity, and accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. Established in 2020, CIFAL York started its operation in June 2021 as the first CIFAL Centre in Canada. Health and Development training and knowledge sharing is among the key focusing areas of CIFAL York.
For more information or questions please contact: cifaldirector@yorku.ca
Partner
DEXR Lab – York University
The DEXR Lab is focused on researching and developing extended reality (XR) applications for public safety (PS), public health (PH), and disaster and emergency management (DEM).
Our interdisciplinary team of researchers from disaster management, management, health, science, and engineering will work together to create innovative and high-impact XR solutions for PS, PH, and DEM.
In addition to conducting research, the DEXR Lab will also be training highly qualified personnel (HPQs) in the field of XR for PS, PH, and DEM.
The DEXR Lab will be equipped with the latest XR hardware and software, allowing us to develop XR applications for various areas including structural firefighting, wildfire management, hospital emergency and intensive care units, first responders’ collision simulation, virus transmission and spread, train derailment, and volcano eruption among others. The DEXR Lab will be based and supported by York University’s Advanced Disaster, Emergency, and Rapid Response Simulation (ADERSIM), which has research and training connections and collaborations with a number of public safety, public health, and emergency management organizations. By contributing to the field of XR research and development, the DEXR Lab aims to enhance Canada’s share in the XR market and put Canada at the forefront of XR applications in PS, PH, and DEM.
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