These young girls from the town of Kiambu, located 15 km from Nairobi, Kenya, are discovering virtual reality headsets with fascination for the first time.
The Campus and VR Center in Africa brought these devices for training in virtual reality, extended reality, and augmented reality. The virtual university aims to bridge the technological gap and offer opportunities to regions where internet access is limited.
The reason for this initiative is, of course, economic and social empowerment. These communities also have stories to tell in the metaverse, as well as local industries that can be integrated into this digital space. This brings them not only economic empowerment but also financial well-being. In a way, the Sustainable Development Goals are becoming more accessible to them through the power of virtual reality, explained Paul Simon Waiyaki Wa Hinga, President of Africa VR Campus and Center.
These training sessions will last three days, at the end of which participants will have the opportunity to join the virtual university. They will then be able to share their knowledge in regions of Kenya and across the continent, thus contributing in turn to the spread of this technology and the empowerment of local communities.
For young Kenyans to fully capitalize on the economic opportunities offered by virtual reality, some believe it is crucial that they also be trained in VR content creation. This will allow them to benefit from the advantages of this technology.
I think going into the slums and demystifying technology is a great starting point. But, of course, this needs to be accompanied by different strategies. It's not enough to just talk about it; you also need to train people to create content, not just consume it. It's crucial that these people understand that this technology can transform our lives in countless ways. For young people, especially at the local level, it's essential to provide them with the tools they need not only to use but also to develop this technology, emphasizes Brian Afande, founder and CEO of Blackrhino VR.
In a constantly evolving world, Paul Simon continues his mission to make virtual reality accessible to all levels of Kenyan society. His ambition is to create a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of the modern job market.
