NUS welcomes a diverse array of local and international visitors, including schools, private groups, corporations and foreign government entities interested to learn more about the university. Innovative strategies were developed by departments to accommodate the increasing number of visitors and ensure a meaningful experience.
In the past, ad-hoc campus tours at University Town were conducted by student ambassadors managed by Office of Admissions (OAM). The rapid increase in tour requests soon overwhelmed our limited number of ambassadors. Additionally, the onset of the pandemic in 2020 brought global travel to a standstill and made in-person tours impossible.
In response to these challenges, the OAM Outreach team collaborated with NUS Libraries’ Digital Strategy and Innovation team to develop a sustainable alternative: the 360° Virtual Tour of the Kent Ridge and Bukit Timah Campuses. This virtual tour, hosted on the NUS website, successfully overcame geographical barriers and allowed access to NUS during and even post-pandemic. With the resumption of unrestricted travel, campus tours have once again regained popularity with the University Hall serving as the starting point for most of them. This prompted the need to refurbish the existing 3D architectural model display at the University Hall lobby. However, maintaining an up-to-date physical model that accurately reflects our constantly evolving campus posed significant potential maintenance costs.
Responding to this, the University Campus Infrastructure (UCI) conceived an innovative idea in 2023 - the NUS Virtual Campus. This initiative replaced the architectural model display with a high-resolution LED digital wall, showcasing an interactive virtual model of NUS. Not only does the virtual model allow for easier updates, it also provides long-term cost savings that can be re-invested into enhancing the features of the NUS Virtual Campus.
Going beyond a simple digital representation of the campus, the NUS Virtual Campus offers a comprehensive and interactive experience with several features:
- Information Hub: Access wide-ranging key information about NUS, including academic programmes, student life, and campus facilities.
- Activities and Lifestyle Platform: Explore student activities, events, and the vibrant campus culture, with new F&B and retail outlets, and places of interest such as nature walking trails.
- 360° Virtual Tours: Provide 360° virtual tours and navigation of NUS campuses. These virtual tours, enhanced with rich multimedia elements, provide an authentic and engaging way to experience the campus as if walking its paths in real life.
- Live Data Integration: Visualise real-time data through integration with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, offering insights into campus activity and resource usage, such as temperature heatmap, live weather data, bus timing schedule, EV charging, and carpark status.
- Immersive Experience: Explore photo and video galleries, along with QR codes linking to the NUS website, to highlight campus heritage, culture, and the latest happenings.
The development of the NUS Virtual Campus is rooted in a remarkable collaboration between UCI and the Office of University Communications (UCO). UCO provided guidance on branding and marketing and coordinated with various stakeholders to capture 360° office images and comprehensive information about academic programmes, student life, and campus facilities.
One of the interfaces in the Digital Campus Management System
“We wanted to offer a virtual experience that mirrors the vibrancy, innovation, and connectivity that NUS represent. We saw an opportunity to extend the NUS campus experience beyond geographical boundaries which is increasingly possible through digital means.
Feedback from students and faculty has been overwhelmingly positive. The immersive 360° tours have been especially well-received, as they allow users to feel as if they’re exploring the campus in person. Many have expressed appreciation for how intuitive and realistic the experience feels. It has also allowed us to keep alumni connected and invested in the university’s growth and innovation.”
Looking ahead, the NUS Virtual Campus is brimming with bright possibilities. Enhancements such as the integration of IoT sensors for environmental monitoring will improve the user experience. The development of web and mobile versions of the NUS Virtual Campus will increase accessibility of campus navigation, enhancing the discovery of retail and dining options, tours, facilities and housing. The addition of our Bukit Timah and Outram campuses to the virtual map and installation of more Virtual Campus digital walls across campus will enhance accessibility for more visitors and strengthen the university’s branding and marketing efforts.
NUS has been the forefront of leveraging technology to enhance visitor experience. By embracing innovation and collaboration, both OAM and UCI have created virtual spaces that foster exploration, connection, and a deeper understanding of the university for prospective students, parents, and all interested visitors.
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