Queensland University of Technology (QUT), has wowed students at its 2015 Open Day with the launch of ‘QUT Global Goggles’, an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) experience, using Google Cardboard.

Open Day visitors were able to experience a unique 360 degree view of the Brisbane skyline with the addition of some unexpected international landmarks, and keep their own complimentary ‘takeaway’ Google Cardboard VR headset. They simply downloaded and viewed the free QUT Global Goggles App from the App Store or Google Play to activate their VR experience.

Tony Wilson, director of marketing and communications at QUT said, “QUT understands that school leavers have a genuine interest in global opportunities and we pride ourselves in producing graduates who are widely recognised as global ready. By embracing VR technology, instead of taking QUT students to the world, we brought the world to them.

“This experience reinforces QUT’s positioning as a forward-thinking and innovative tertiary institution.”

BCM managing director Kevin Moreland said, “This initiative has been another great collaboration between QUT and BCM, and is a great example of QUT’s commitment to pushing the technological boundaries. It put the VR experience straight into the hands of prospective QUT students, they were able to experience it, in most cases, for the very first time, on the QUT campus as part of the QUT Open Day experience.

“It was a terrific branding opportunity for the client and the chance to reinforce QUT’s real world positioning, with the university being at the forefront of innovation.

“We formed a great partnership with the team of technical producers at Alt.vfx to create and produce the VR experience,” he added.

Response to the App from Open Day visitors has been overwhelming, with the number of downloads exceeding all expectations.

Comments on the day included:

“That was insane. I really felt like I was there. I didn’t expect it to be like that. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced.” – Prospective QUT student.

“I have never experienced this before. It was really cool. Wow! We’re in the future.” – Prospective QUT student.

QUT will also be providing the free VR headsets and QUT Global Googles experience to the public at its upcoming Robotronica event, a free technology and robotic show, taking place on 23 August.

Robotronica, now an annual event on the QUT Science and Engineering calendar, showcases the university’s excellence in robotics for robot fans both young and old.  Last year thousands of robo-fans flocked to QUT to experience Robotronica, which was Australia’s first major international robotics festival.

QUT has become a global focal point for international robotics research, following the establishment of an Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre for Excellence in Robotic Vision at the university in 2015.

Campaign contributors:

Agency: BCM

Client: Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Client contact:  Tony Wilson, Director of Marketing and Communications

Creative Director: Peter Goodall

Digital Creative Director: Steve Mair

Digital Designers: Steve Mair and Oliver Lardner

Digital Producers: Anna Smith and Oliver Lardner

Writer: Nick Ikonomou

Art Director: Mike Rolfe

Account Service: Kevin Moreland, Shelley Lewis, Hema Michell, Essie O’Shaughnessy

Agency Producer: Jenine Olliver

Production House/Post Production: Alt.vfx/Poncho Productions