Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Sohaila Ahmed, Staff Reporter

Funn, the Sharjah-based organisation that promotes media arts learning among children and youth, and organises the UAE’s only film festival dedicated to this age group, is engaging aspiring young virtual reality (VR) and special effects experts in a fascinating workshop course, which is taking them through the basics of VR concepts and its application in different industries.

Running until 31 August at the awe-inspiring premises of the Sharjah Classic Cars Museum, the workshop will be building participants’ background knowledge on this relatively new field in creative technology, and then guide them to bring their learning to life via practical lab assignments.

The workshop carries immense value for young learners, especially those considering a career in creative media technologies, owing to the rapid uptake of VR solutions in major consumer and commercial sectors like entertainment, education, and several others globally.

In February this year, Research and Markets reported that the VR market is expected to grow from USD 7.9 billion in 2018 to USD 44.7 billion by 2024, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33.47 per cent during the forecast period. 

Sheikha Jawaher Bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of Funn and the Sharjah International Children and Youth Film Festival (SIFF) said, “Through this workshop, Funn’s aim is to not only polish our students’ technical and technological skills, but really inspire their creativity and challenge their imagination.”

She also added that the organised workshop main aim is to throw them into hundreds of adventures, spanning history, science, the arts, the natural world and whatever else within one single space and encourage them to really reach out to the furthers corners of their imagination.

“Students will create a VR application as a final submission in this course. We look forward to seeing how they will integrate their lessons with their ideas and creative capacities. Our ultimate objective, inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, is to offer the nation’s youth every opportunity to explore their interest and potential in media arts, learn and keep updating their skills.”