Join the METAVERSE Academy Final Conference in Gelsenkirchen and Online on 26 November
The METAVERSE Academy project will conclude its activities with an international Final Conference on 26 November 2026, bringing together educators, students, XR professionals, entrepreneurs, startups and innovation organisations from across Europe and beyond.
The event will take place at Wissenschaftspark Gelsenkirchen, Germany, with the possibility to join online, and will offer an afternoon of practical insights, inspiring examples, networking and discussion around the future of immersive technologies, education and entrepreneurship.
Date: 26 November 2026
Time: 13:30–18:00 CET
Venue: Wissenschaftspark Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and online
Participation: Free of charge, upon registration
Register for the Final Conference
From XR learning to real-world application
Over the course of the METAVERSE Academy project, partners have explored how immersive technologies can support education, skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship. The Final Conference will present some of the key results and create space for participants to exchange experience and discuss how XR can be applied in education and professional practice.
Participants will be able to discover the 19 free XR courses developed within the project, designed to support educators in integrating immersive technologies into teaching and training, while also helping students and professionals develop relevant digital skills.
The programme will also feature practical examples of XR skills development, including the experience of Vaal University of Technology in South Africa, where immersive technologies have been used to support young people in building new competencies.
Entrepreneurship, funding and support for XR ideas
A dedicated part of the conference will focus on how XR ideas can move from concept to market.
Participants will learn more about entrepreneurship training, incubators, funding opportunities and other forms of support available to startups, innovators and teams developing XR-based solutions.
The event will also explore the links between education, industry and employment through an expert panel dedicated to the future of XR skills. Speakers and participants will discuss both the opportunities created by immersive technologies and the challenges involved in introducing them into professional and educational environments.
A meeting point for the international XR community
The Final Conference is also intended as a space for networking and new partnerships.
Participants will have the opportunity to meet representatives of the METAVERSE Academy consortium, XR specialists, startups, companies, educators, universities and innovation organisations, exchange ideas and experience, and explore opportunities for future cooperation.
Free exhibition opportunity for XR projects and solutions
Alongside the conference, the organisers will host a free onsite exhibition area in Gelsenkirchen.
Startups, companies, research teams, European projects, universities and other innovation organisations are invited to present their XR technologies, applications, research results, prototypes and market-ready solutions.
The exhibition offers participants the opportunity to showcase their work to an international audience, meet potential partners and establish new professional contacts.
Applications to exhibit are open until 13 November 2026.
The METAVERSE Academy Final Conference will mark the conclusion of the project, but also provide an opportunity to look ahead at how XR technologies, skills and partnerships can continue to develop across sectors and countries.
Participation in the conference is free of charge upon registration.
