PolyU immersive technologies research receives Best Paper Honorable Mention Award at IEEE VR 2025

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is dedicated to developing immersive solutions that address real-world challenges and foster a more connected and efficient future. Prof. Lik-Hang LEE, Assistant Professor of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at PolyU , and Mr Chan In Devin SIO, PhD student (Year 2), have been honored with the Best Paper Honorable Mention Award at the IEEE International Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (IEEE VR) 2025.

The awarded research paper, “Illuminating the Scene: How Virtual Environments and Learning Modes Shape Film Lighting Mastery in Virtual Reality,” explores how virtual environments and collaborative learning influence the acquisition of film lighting skills in VR-based education.

The research compared three settings: a baseline environment, a dynamic beach, and a familiar office. The results showed that beach setting boosted engagement but increased frustration for individual learners. In contrast, team learning in the office environment reduced frustration and enhanced collaboration. While teams performed best in the baseline setting, individual learners excelled in more challenging environments. These findings provide valuable insights into optimising VR settings to improve learning outcomes in both individual and group learning contexts.

Prof. Lee said, “My team is deeply honoured to receive the award. It is a meaningful recognition of the dedication and passion of the PolyU research team, as well as our collaborative researchers from other universities, in exploring how immersive environments can enhance learning experiences. Our study highlights the transformative potential of virtual reality in education by customising environments to support both individual and collaborative learning. I look forward to continuing our contribution to advance immersive learning technologies.”

The IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (IEEE VR) is a premier international forum groundbreaking research in virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (VR/AR/MR). Since its inception in 1993, it has showcased pioneering work that continue to shape the future of immersive technologies.