How Naga VR developer Dominica Jamir is beating odds in New York

Kohima: Virtual Reality (VR) developer Tiajungla Dominica Jamir from Dimapur is beating all odds in New York City, particularly for her extraordinary web-based platform, which is enhancing traditional learning through VR. 

Jamir bagged the ‘Best Practitioner Poster Proposal’ award by the Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN) at the iLRN 2020 Conference. iLRN is an international organisation of developers, educators, and research professionals collaborating to develop the scientific, technical, and applied potential of immersive learning. Her proposal was entitled “Intellect VR: Learning in VR; the VR experience in the classroom.

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She found computers, gaming, and related technology mentally stimulating, engaging and easy to grasp from a very young age. In a conversation with EastMojo, she opened up about finding her interest in the VR technology world.

“As an avid video game player, I was always mesmerised by the evolution of video game technology, and I wanted to know the tech behind video games in VR. I was thrilled to discover that at New York Tech, I would be learning about something I was already so passionate about,” she said. 

According to her, VR is a boon for enhanced education, experience-learning, and memory recall, and can also be a blessing for students limited by socially distanced education. In this regard, she said, “Immersive technologies, including VR, can certainly enhance sometimes mundane, book-based educational materials into exciting visual-learning means that are bound to stimulate minds and create memorable experiences that encourage learning.”

However, a critical key to the successful delivery of web-based VR education globally is internet access, she says. With her web-based VR platform, Jamir has established that developing enhanced traditional teaching and learning methods is possible and accessible almost anywhere. “Almost any lesson topic in 2D format can be recreated as 3D in VR for a more understandable and realistic learning experience,” she added.

New York City was the logical step for her to expand her career and challenge herself to achieve extraordinary excellence levels in the AR/VR, (Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality) UX/UI (User Experience/User Interface) arenas.

Jamir hopes to inspire others to see the value of VR and how it can be useful in future. For her, there is a compelling need to increase public awareness of VR-enhanced education, its value, and its benefits to society. Wherever needed, she said that it is necessary to earmark appropriate funding for access to reliable internet and web-accessible devices in educational institutions.

She added that trained motivated teachers, adept at using web-based, VR educational material – via VR-headsets, PCs, tablets, or mobile phones (as needed) inspire students and impart lessons successfully.

Speaking about how she copes up with the various challenges, she said, “In all honesty, I interpret what others may view as a challenge, I see as stepping stones to my personal development and growth”. She then added saying “This mindset has served me consistently well in America.”

While Jamir’s next focus is to further develop the VR platform, she shared her desire to make learning experiences accessible to students with disabilities and different learning styles. “I believe I can adapt and am well-positioned to cater to the growing needs around the delivery of enhanced, immersive education,” she said.

As for her immediate plan, she wishes to temporarily relax after her graduation in May before beginning work by June. Jamir also worked as a Graduate Assistant teaching VR/AR on campus and coached workshops at the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) and Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York.