A Landmark Award for Education Innovation
We are proud to announce that BeDev Consulting, with VRyCOOL as a core technical partner, has been selected by the Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD) to implement the SIMPLE Project (Strengthening Infectious Disease Management and Prevention through Learning Experiences) in Lao PDR.
This EU-funded initiative will harness the transformative power of Virtual Reality (VR) to improve how students learn about infectious diseases, environmental health, and the One Health approach. The award follows a competitive tender process, underscoring the strength of our consortium and its track record in delivering impactful educational technology in Laos.
What the SIMPLE Project Will Deliver
The SIMPLE Project is designed to bridge the gap between science and the classroom by:
- Creating immersive VR-based learning experiences that make abstract topics like disease transmission, outbreak response, and environmental change tangible and engaging.
- Working with Lao schools, teachers, and academic partners to ensure the content is both scientifically accurate and culturally relevant.
- Training and supporting educators to confidently integrate VR tools into their teaching practices.
- Ensuring long-term sustainability by building local technical and pedagogical capacity so that the program continues to thrive beyond its initial implementation.
VRyCOOL’s Contribution
As the local VR technology partner, VRyCOOL will bring its expertise in immersive technology, hardware integration, and digital education to the forefront. Our team will:
- Support the setup and maintenance of VR learning environments adapted to local conditions.
- Provide technical training and guidance to ensure smooth classroom adoption.
- Work alongside BeDev, IRD, and Lao academic institutions to refine and improve the VR modules through continuous feedback from teachers and students.
- Guarantee that the technology is accessible, reliable, and usable for the long term.
Strong Partnerships at the Core
The SIMPLE project is a true collaboration between local and international partners:
- IRD leads the initiative with scientific oversight and EU funding.
- BeDev Consulting coordinates the project in Lao PDR, engaging schools, educators, and academic partners.
- VRyCOOL provides technical expertise in VR hardware, immersive content deployment, and sustainability planning.
- Key Lao institutions and civil society partners will contribute to content validation, curriculum alignment, and community outreach.
Together, we aim to deliver an educational experience that is engaging, scientifically robust, and relevant to the health challenges facing Lao communities today.
Looking Forward
Being awarded the SIMPLE Project in Lao PDR is both an honor and a responsibility. For VRyCOOL, it represents another step in our mission to use immersive technology for social good — helping young learners better understand and respond to the health and environmental issues that affect their daily lives.
We extend our sincere thanks to IRD, the European Union, and our consortium partners for their trust and support. Most importantly, we thank the teachers and students of Laos, who will play a central role in bringing this vision to life.
This project is more than an educational experiment — it is a commitment to building resilient communities, empowered students, and a sustainable model for digital learning in Laos and beyond.