In Ternopil, an immersive multifunctional hub has been opened

In Ternopil, an immersive multifunctional hub has started its operation. Its goal is to enhance the development of digital education, communication levels, and socialization across various segments of the population, including people with disabilities, veterans, and others.

"Digital inclusivity is one of the priority goals of the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Our aim is not only the development of online services but also ensuring equal access to technologies. To promote the inclusion and socialization of various segments of the population, we initiated the opening of the country's first immersive multifunctional hub. Here, educational lessons will be conducted in virtual classrooms, scientific experiments, and educational-scientific events using innovative and technological methods," emphasized Valeriya Ionan, the Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine for European Integration.

The immersive multifunctional space is equipped with modern devices such as tablets, AR headsets, hologram creation devices, and digital boards. This will enable the implementation of new projects in various fields (medicine, science, IT, etc.), the mastery of new professions, and the establishment of community communication.

"In Ternopil region, there is the highest number of Diia Centers that residents of the region from various social strata actively use. The opening of the immersive multifunctional hub will improve the level of digital education in our region, accelerate the development of the technology sector, and increase communication among the population. This is extremely important for us because modern technologies are changing the world around us, and digital education helps adapt to these changes. Therefore, access to new knowledge should be available to everyone," stated Volodymyr Trush, the Head of the Ternopil Regional Military Administration.

The hub is aimed at increasing the accessibility of digital education for vulnerable population groups and promoting social inclusion. Visitors will be able to engage in leisure activities more comprehensively, within a community of like-minded individuals and in modern conditions.

"The UN Development Program actively collaborates with the Government of Ukraine and civil society to support the inclusive recovery process and ultimately create an inclusive society. Our goal is to make social facilities and services universally accessible by integrating the principles of accessibility and achieving digital literacy. We believe in the power of combining the efforts of government bodies, local self-government, businesses, civil society, and international partners to advance the vision of a barrier-free Ukraine, where innovative educational technologies are accessible to all. The creation of a high-tech hub in Ternopil demonstrates the success of such joint efforts," said Christofor Politis, Deputy Permanent Representative of UNDP in Ukraine.

The multifunctionality of the space provides the opportunity to organize free public meetings, events, educational and scientific events for students, adults, using innovative and/or technological approaches.

"Cisco, as a technological partner, provides modern tools for digital learning and medical-psychological rehabilitation. Ukraine is one of the first countries in the world to test Webex Hologram technology for rehabilitation using holographic images in virtual reality. Our team is ready to invest time and resources to help create an effective multifunctional rehabilitation hub," said Serhiy Martynchyk, Head of Cisco Representation in Ukraine.

In addition, the hub will be a venue for training in the field of innovation, contributing to the emergence of new modern projects in the area. Using modern technologies, medical professionals, together with researchers, will be able to create programs and products for rehabilitation.

"The opening of the immersive multifunctional hub at the Western Ukrainian National University is the creation of an innovative environment for implementing creative ideas, implementing digital initiatives, introducing advanced technologies into the scientific and educational spaces, and the opportunity to work with them in a practical dimension," said Oksana Desyatnyuk, Rector of ZUNU, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Honored Worker of Education of Ukraine. The immersive multifunctional hub will operate at the Western Ukrainian National University, providing 5 workplaces and creating conditions for developing digital education skills through the Diia.Osvita platform for the public.

"The space we are opening today is an example of implementing a socially relevant initiative to create a friendly environment for all population groups and promote inclusive practices. We have succeeded in creating a multifunctional hub where one can learn, hold meetings, improve digital skills, and master modern technologies. It is worth noting separately that this place will contribute to social inclusion and the spread of a culture of accessibility. It is extremely pleasant that our organization, together with partners, was able to contribute to such a project," emphasized Irina Maslo, Deputy Head of the NGO "Educational-Analytical Center for Community Development."

The opening of the hub is part of the National Strategy for creating an inclusive space by 2030, initiated by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. The strategy aims to establish physical, informational, digital, social, civic, economic, and educational accessibility for all population groups.

The immersive multifunctional hub was created on the initiative of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine in collaboration with the Ternopil Regional Military Administration and the Western Ukrainian National University, with the support of UNDP in Ukraine and funding from the Government of Japan, coordinated by the NGO "Educational-Analytical Center for Community Development," with the support of the technical partner Cisco System.