Istanbul Gelisim University Faculty of Engineering and Architecture: Bulletin (August 2026)

Abstract

Our University's Laboratories Presented to Prospective Students Through Virtual Reality As Istanbul Gelisim University Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, we continue to bring the innovative opportunities offered by technology in education to our prospective students. In this context, we scanned our university's laboratories and various application areas on a 1:1 scale to create "digital twins" of the physical spaces, transferring them to a virtual reality (VR) environment using 3D Gaussian Splatting technology. Thanks to this newly developed infrastructure, prospective university students had the opportunity to experience our laboratories and application areas in three dimensions and in an ultra-realistic way via VR headsets, without needing to be physically present on campus. Students did not just view photos or videos; they had the privilege of exploring our educational environments up close by virtually walking through the spaces. Showcased as part of the EKET 2026 Fair and Preference Promotion Days, this VR experience was met with great interest. This technology-focused initiative not only increased students' curiosity in the fields of engineering and architecture but also enabled us to promote our university's strong educational infrastructure and applied training opportunities with an innovative vision. By integrating cutting-edge technologies like 3D Gaussian Splatting into our education and promotional processes, we are carrying our physical spaces into the digital world; offering campus life in a much more interactive, accessible, and experience-oriented way.