Virtual lab bringing learning to life wins national award
Job opportunities in Cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) are set to double in the next five years, according to the 2022 ACS Digital Report.
Australia therefore urgently needs industry-ready ICT graduates and CQUniversity is already doing something about it.
A team of academics has developed an innovative Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) that is revolutionising the way students gain hands-on experience with the emerging technologies – and the program was tonight named an Australian Award for University Teaching (AAUT) Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning winner.
Traditionally, students learning about Cloud and IoT needed access to specialised hardware and labs, which posed a challenge for CQUniversity’s widely dispersed student cohort, including those studying online.
To overcome this, the ICT Virtual Learning Team (VLT) led by Associate Professor Biplob Ray with support from Senior Lecturer Dr Jahan Hassan, custom-built a VLE that allows students to interact with real-world IoT devices remotely, giving them the same practical learning experience as those in a physical lab.
Unlike standard virtual platforms that only simulate software interactions, CQU’s VLE offers direct control over actual hardware, including robotic arms and soil moisture sensors. Students can send commands, receive real-time feedback and develop solutions using live sensor data -replicating real-world industry applications.
CQUniversity Vice-President (Academic) Professor Michelle Bellingan congratulated Assoc Prof Ray and Dr Hassan for their dedication to transforming learning and teaching in the ICT space.
“Since its first trial, the VLE has become an essential part of key ICT courses,” Prof Bellingan explained.
“The technology has improved student engagement, success rates and workforce readiness, leading to this national recognition and I congratulate the duo for their continued dedication and commitment to transforming the student experience.”
A key strength of the VLE is its accessibility. Students can collaborate on real-world projects from anywhere, such as developing smart irrigation systems that adjust water usage based on real-time data - skills directly applicable to the growing Cloud and IoT sectors.
“By eliminating the need for physical lab access, the VLE ensures all students, regardless of location, receive equal opportunities for hands-on learning,” Prof Bellingan said.
As the only Australian university offering a custom-built VLE providing remote access to physical IoT hardware, CQU is setting a new benchmark for flexible, industry-focused education.
“This award-winning innovation is not just preparing students for the future of technology - it is helping them lead it.”
