APU and apoQlar to transform XR healthcare education

The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has solidified its commitment to cutting-edge education through a new collaboration with apoQlar Medical, a leader in medical software based in Hamburg, Germany.

This partnership leverages Extended Reality (XR) to elevate medical education, providing APU students with invaluable hands-on training and advancing healthcare innovation.

A transformative collaboration in XR education

As the first Malaysian university to establish spatial computing facilities for Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), APU continues to lead in digital transformation.

On October 28, 2024, APU and apoQlar Medical signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) and Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) at a ceremony on APU’s Technology Park Malaysia campus in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

APU’s Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer, Professor Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam, and apoQlar Medical’s CEO, Sirko Pelzl, officiated the signing, marking a pivotal step in advancing XR applications in healthcare education.

“We are thrilled to expand our collaboration with APU, using XR to reshape medical education in Malaysia,” Pelzl remarked.

“This partnership aligns with our mission to elevate training for future healthcare professionals.”

Empowering students through industry-grade XR tools

The partnership between APU XR Studio and apoQlar Medical introduces APU students to real-world applications of XR in healthcare, from remote internships to industrial training.

This alliance not only provides students with hands-on experience using industry-grade XR tools but also enables joint research and development, offering APU staff and students opportunities to master cutting-edge XR solutions tailored for the medical field.

ApoQlar Medical’s focus on 3D visualisation and XR-driven solutions seeks to improve surgical accuracy and medical training through immersive experiences.

During a demonstration, Sirko Pelzl experienced Mixed Reality smart glasses in action at APU XR Studio, showcasing educational content designed to inspire and engage future healthcare professionals.

Reflecting on the initiative, Dr Siti Azreena Mubin, Assistant Professor at APU’s School of Computing and Head of the XR Studio, said, “We are excited to partner with apoQlar Medical to transform medical education through XR technologies.

This collaboration equips our students with unique hands-on experience, preparing them to thrive in the evolving healthcare landscape.”

Professor Dr Vinesh Thiruchelvam added, “This partnership is a significant step in APU’s mission to merge technological innovation with education.

Through initiatives like this, we are not only enhancing our students’ skills but also positioning APU at the centre of technological advancement in healthcare.

We look forward to seeing our students lead change in the healthcare sector with the expertise they gain here.”