UOS showcases metaverse at Xposure 2026

February 05, 2026 / 2:15 PM

Sharjah24: The College of Communication at the University of Sharjah took part in the 10th Xposure International Photography and Film Festival 2026 by hosting a series of workshops on interactive content production and virtual reality (VR). The sessions introduced students and festival visitors to the stages of designing and developing content in virtual environments, including the metaverse, and familiarised them with leading tools and techniques shaping today’s media industry.

The workshops were delivered over three days by Ahmed Al Mashmashi, a lecturer at the University of Sharjah’s College of Communication, in the festival’s Filmmakers Hall within the workshop zone. They explored the principles of designing and building virtual spaces, filmmaking using 360-degree techniques, and applications for creating and managing metaverse environments. The sessions also examined methods for producing content tailored to media organisations, communication departments in government entities and corporations, and startups.

Students engage across festival activities

Alongside the workshops, university students actively participated in a wide range of specialist sessions and events across the festival. They also joined the documentary zone dedicated to the student competition, which focused on producing photography projects and short films inspired by the festival’s themes.

Positive feedback from participants

Several students highlighted the value of the experience. Sultan Mohammed Al Maider said the workshops significantly developed communication students’ skills and expressed his eagerness to attend more media events and forums. He added that the sessions helped him better understand the technical settings and applications required in photography.

Rashid Abdullah Al Ketbi described the photography workshop as offering a clear and practical introduction to imaging applications, noting that the hands-on approach made it easier to understand camera settings and to improve results immediately.

Meanwhile, UOS student Alaa Wael said she gained advanced skills in using 360-degree cameras, adding that she was impressed by their ability to capture scenes from all angles simultaneously. She noted that the workshop strengthened both her theoretical and practical skills and provided valuable hands-on experience with advanced technologies in photography and content creation.

Bridging academics and industry

The university’s participation reflects the College of Communication’s commitment to strengthening the practical dimension of its academic programmes, bridging classroom learning with professional experience, and keeping pace with rapid developments in digital media and interactive content production.