Final Workshop Showcases VR Innovation in Architecture as An-Najah Wraps Up Design Futures Exchange Project
An-Najah National University recently concluded the Design Futures Exchange project with a final workshop held at the Innovation Park Hall on campus. This collaborative virtual exchange initiative brought together students from An-Najah’s Department of Architecture and Master’s Program in Sustainable Engineering, alongside peers from the Department of Architecture and Design at Arizona State University (ASU).
The workshop featured advanced training sessions and interactive activities centered on innovation in education and architectural design, with a particular focus on virtual reality (VR) applications. Participants engaged in hands-on training using interactive VR headsets to explore their potential in architectural visualization and engineering education. The sessions were delivered by experts from An-Najah’s Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality Research Center.
Led by a multidisciplinary team including Dr. Mutasim Baba (Project Director), Prof. Allam Mousa (Director of the Innovation Park and the AI & VR Research Center), Dr. Sameh Monna (Project Coordinator and Head of the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering), and Eng. Waleed Abu Zaineh (VR Center Trainer), the workshop served as the project’s capstone. It marked the conclusion of an enriching semester-long collaboration between An-Najah and ASU.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Baba emphasized the project’s success in enhancing students’ professional and intercultural competencies, enabling them to collaborate across borders on innovative architectural solutions. He expressed gratitude to the University’s leadership for its unwavering support and to ASU for its valuable partnership and dedication throughout the project.
Prof. Allam Mousa highlighted the pioneering role of the Innovation Park in integrating cutting-edge technologies into the academic environment, stressing the transformative potential of VR in education and its ability to facilitate global collaboration. He noted how the virtual exchange model provided a unique learning experience that connected students from both institutions in meaningful and practical ways.
Dr. Monna provided an overview of the project’s activities and outcomes, particularly the final joint design challenge — a kindergarten for the Ein Beit El Ma Refugee Camp in Nablus — which showcased the students’ shared creativity and commitment to socially responsive architecture.
The event concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, celebrating the contributions and achievements of participating students. The atmosphere reflected a sense of accomplishment and cross-cultural unity, marking the successful conclusion of a forward-thinking international collaboration.
