Atlas Insurance and SOS Malta launch VR education initiative in Maltese schools

Atlas Insurance and SOS Malta inaugurated their three-year initiative to integrate virtual reality (VR) technology into the curricula of two independent schools and one church school. This project provides VR equipment, educational resources and training to enable students to explore scenarios and concepts by simulating real-world experiences, deepening their engagement and understanding of complex subjects. Furthermore, any additional content generated through this initiative will be made available to all local schools making use of the ClassVR software.

The launch event was hosted at St. Edward’s College, one of the participating schools, and was attended by students and teachers from the other schools, St. Martin’s College and St. Jeanne Antide College, officially celebrating the use of the first fully dedicated end-to-end classroom VR system, ClassVR, which has been approved by the educational authorities in Malta.

SOS Malta, in conjunction with Robocoach, is managing this project by circulating VR content and supporting materials aligned with the national learning outcomes. Funded by the Atlas Community Involvement Fund, this initiative represents a remarkable coming together of NGOs, educational institutions, and the corporate world.

“At Atlas, we view education as the cornerstone of a thriving society,” commented Catherine Calleja, Executive Director and Chair of the Atlas Insurance Community Involvement Committee. “Through our Community Involvement Fund, we actively support projects that create meaningful impacts, particularly in areas where Malta faces challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We are proud to support this VR project that not only enhances the educational experience by aligning with the curriculum but also advances SDG 4 for Quality Education and has the potential to tackle Reduced Inequalities.”

Graziella Schiavone, Head of Finance Operations at SOS Malta, stated: “SOS Malta is excited to launch this innovative VR project, which has been made possible through the support of Atlas, who approved and funded this initiative. By equipping three schools – independent and church schools – with VR sets, we aim to transform the learning experience by integrating immersive, locally developed content into subjects such as geography, science, ethics and healthcare. This project will allow students to engage with lessons in a more interactive and dynamic way, making concepts more tangible and enriching their overall educational journey.”

This key initiative showcases the power of partnership in fostering educational innovation. By bringing together the expertise of SOS Malta and Robocoach, the support of the corporate sector, and the commitment of educational institutions, this project will give private and independent schools in Malta access to this technology which is already available in the state sector. Looking forward to the positive changes that this project will bring to educational practices and outcomes, all the stakeholders remain committed to further enhancing students’ learning experiences.