What if you could explore a college campus without ever leaving your home? This is now possible at INTI International College Penang, thanks to final-year student Tan Guan Yi. His innovative Virtual Reality (VR) campus tour offers an immersive walkthrough of all 77 rooms, redefining how prospective students engage with educational institutions from afar.
Tan Guan Yi presenting his VR campus tour at the INTI Industry Partners Appreciation Dinner 2024, representing INTI Penang as its sole student exhibitor.
A Project Rooted in Purpose and Accessibility
Guan Yi, a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science student, was driven by a meaningful goal: to make campus exploration easier and more inclusive for prospective students, especially those from low-income backgrounds.
“This project was inspired by the opportunity to showcase INTI Penang’s campus in an innovative way,” he explained. “My supervisor introduced me to this idea and encouraged me to explore the potential of VR technology. It has been a valuable learning experience, blending technical skills with creativity to offer a unique representation of our campus.”
By addressing barriers like travel costs and scheduling conflicts, Guan Yi’s project ensures that anyone, regardless of financial or geographical limitations, can easily explore the campus.
From Concept to Reality: Overcoming Challenges
Creating the immersive VR experience took two semesters of dedicated work and perseverance under the supervision of Ts. Usha Jayakudy, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology, Guan Yi, tackled numerous challenges to bring his vision to life.
Guan Yi focused on research and methodology during the first semester (April–August). He explored VR technology, tested various software and hardware, and refined his techniques for capturing and rendering seamless panoramic views.
In the second semester (August–November), he moved on to development and implementation. Using Unity software, Guan Yi designed the virtual environment, while an Insta360 X4 camera captured high-resolution 360-degree images. These images were meticulously stitched together, creating a seamless and immersive user experience.
Carefully documenting campus spaces, Tan Guan Yi captures 360-degree images for his Virtual Reality project.
Recreating INTI Penang’s most iconic facilities posed its challenges. Spaces like the Alkira Restaurant, AI & Cloud Computing Lab, mock hotel rooms, Broadcast and Recording Studio, and the library required careful attention to layout, lighting, and detail to ensure accuracy.
“This project has been a rewarding experience, letting me balance my technical skills with creativity,” Guan Yi shared. “The two-semester approach really helped me pace my time wisely and balance my research and development phases.”
Guan Yi’s hard work paid off when his VR project took centre stage at the INTI Industry Partners Appreciation Dinner 2024 on 19 November. As the sole representative of INTI International College Penang, he showcased the virtual tour to industry leaders and peers.
Revolutionizing Campus Exploration
Designed for the HTC VIVE platform, the VR experience allows users to “teleport” between locations on campus, zoom in on specific features, and interact with the environment. It provides a realistic and immersive tour, offering prospective students and their families an engaging way to experience the campus remotely.
“I believe this VR experience will revolutionise how students explore INTI Penang,” Guan Yi said. “It’s an accessible and engaging tool that removes barriers, allowing students from all walks of life to get a feel of the campus.”
A Lasting Impact
As Guan Yi prepares to graduate, he reflects on the skills and knowledge gained through the project.
“This has been a rewarding experience,” he noted. “I gained confidence in using Unity and developing VR features and grew an understanding of how the usage of technology could further enhance educational and campus experiences.”
For those eager to explore INTI International College Penang from the comfort of their homes, the virtual campus tour can be accessed at https://sites.google.com/view/virtual-tour-inti/home. Please note that the file size is large and may take some time to load.
Experience INTI Penang’s campus virtually through Tan Guan Yi’s innovative project: https://sites.google.com/view/virtual-tour-inti/home.