King Faisal University is considered the first leading university locally and in the Middle East in the field of adopting holographic imaging techniques (hologram) in the educational and training process and providing the services of this modern technology to the stakeholders. Through this technology, the university works to find appropriate technical solutions that cover teaching practical and field aspects of the educational process .These technical solutions also provide field training in a creative, interactive way, as well as enriching the educational process with interaction, creativity, and innovation in providing knowledge content to the stakeholders.
This service also provides facilitation of the procedures for seeking the assistance of experts and specialists in the field of education and training locally and internationally through this technology. Virtual presence using hologram techniques for experts and specialists is provided by using this technology. This technology also provides the full interactive educational and training process with all its activities with the stakeholders without the need for the usual presence at the university.
The hologram project contributed to providing services and new creative methods for digital transformation and digital services. The use of holographic imaging services came to bridge the educational and training gap, especially in practical and field aspects. This technology was also used to bridge the gap in teaching practical field aspects during Corona pandemic. At the university, services for the production and development of a set of educational and training elements and units are implemented using hologram technology that simulates reality and enhances it with elements of innovation and interaction, contributing to the transfer of direct and realistic experiences to learners and trainees.
Previously, the teaching of practical subjects in the medical, engineering, and scientific fields was limited to the theoretical side, using some pictures, fixed drawings, and video clips. In addition to this, some students have been attending some lectures in laboratories in the event that the requirements and equipment were available or practical and field training in the entities related to these fields. The use of this technology has been shortened by providing educational and training experiences in the field and in an interactive process that simulates reality.
The most important challenges for implementing this project were the lack of previous experiences of using this technology in the educational process, and it was limited to the recreational sectors. This made the university rely on its expertise to:
The university, through the Deanship of E-Learning and Distance Education and the Deanship of Information Technology, has provided the requirements for the successful operation and management of holographic imaging services. The university provides technicians and specialists in the management and operation of hologram studios and halls, who have developed their expertise in this technology to reach advanced stages, as they have had a role in developing innovative solutions that were not found in this technology before.
The services of producing, developing, and designing of educational and training elements and units using hologram technology are also implemented at the university by technicians in accordance with the requirements of the stakeholders of the service. In addition, the Deanship of E-Learning and Distance Education provides digital platforms to receive service requests and multiple channels to provide technical support and receive development comments and suggestions (digital platforms - social media tools), which serve significantly to improve, enrich, and enhance the educational and training process with this technology at the university. The following are the phases of project implementation and management:
Hologram technology offers innovative and non-traditional solutions in bridging the educational and training gaps at the university. The creative aspects of the project are represented to reduce expenses for providing educational materials and laboratories. Moreover, hologram technology has contributed to reducing training costs by reducing the cost of travel, transportation and accommodation to attend training courses in other cities and attracting local and international experts and specialists. Hologram elements and three-dimensional objects are developed within the university without the help of third parties, and the university seeks to improve self-resources by using hologram studios and halls, and the provision of these emerging technical services to the private sector and the local community in the areas of hosting conferences and holding training courses remotely, This does not affect the educational activities and services of the university. Due to the lack of previous experiences of using such techniques in the educational process, it was limited to the recreational sectors. This made the university rely on its experiences in finding and innovating creative solutions to operate this project and make optimum use of the services provided by holographic imaging technology. Among these creative and innovative solutions are the following: