Supporting student well-being and alleviating assessment stress through VR

A student has been using HELIX's extended reality classroom to complete work on his final year project which aims to facilitate student wellbeing using Virtual Reality technology.

Mustafa Rangwalla, a fourth-year BA Digital Media student, has been interested in Virtual Reality (VR) since it's initial release. For his final year project, Mustafa took this passion a step further by developing a VR-assisted meditation simulation, aimed at promoting student wellbeing, particularly during stressful assessment periods. As a student, Mustafa experienced these stressed first hand, which motivated him to build a safe-space for students within VR. Mustafa’s time at HELIX provided him with the tools and space to turn his innovative idea into reality.

Location: HELIX XR Classroom

Aims: To explore the feasibility of using VR to provide meditation spaces that help students manage stress at university.

Output: A fully developed VR meditation simulation, which was tested by students. All participants reported feeling more relaxed after the experience.

Impact: HELIX provided access to high-spec PCs, VR headsets, and state-of-the-art software, including Unreal Engine.

Why did you choose HELIX for your project?

‘’HELIX is brand-new space on campus which is exciting. Featuring high-spec PCs and new technologies. It offers a very relaxing working environment and is the only place on campus with Unreal Engine installed on the PCs. All the staff are helpful and friendly, plus I had the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals who also share a passion for all things VR/XR.’’

How did working in HELIX help you achieve your aims?

‘’The resources at HELIX enabled me to complete my project by offering the necessary equipment and tools. The Meta Quest headsets facilitated the access and testing of my VR scene, while the high-spec PCs provided a platform for the development. If it wasn’t for the existence of HELIX, I wouldn’t have been able to focus on VR for my final year project.’’

Do you have any advice to share from your HELIX experience?

‘’Helix provides an incredible space for students to learn and experiment with the latest technologies. It would be beneficial to learn new skills using the facilities to their full potential. Due to the spaces popular demand, it is important to book out your desired equipment in advance to ensure your slot.’’

Interested in working on your own project or exploring the possibilities of additive manufacturing?

Visit our booking portal to use HELIX spaces and facilities.