WORLD IMMERSIVE LEARNING LABS SYMPOSIUM 2026

From Vision to Action: Building Sustainable Immersive Futures

March 4-6, 2026
University of the Philippines Open University Headquarters,
Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines

About the symposium

The World Immersive Learning Labs Symposium (WILLS) 2026 brought together educators, researchers, technologists, policymakers, and industry innovators to explore how immersive technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR) can advance sustainability across education, industry, and society.

Hosted by the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), the three-day event provided a platform for sharing transformative ideas, innovative projects, and practical strategies for building a more sustainable, equitable, and immersive future.

WILLS 2026 at a glance

The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) formally opened the World Immersive Learning Labs Symposium (WILLS) 2026 on 4 March 2026 at the UPOU CCDL Auditorium in Los Baños, Laguna, bringing together international scholars, institutional leaders, and innovators in immersive education. The symposium’s mission of exploring cutting-edge developments in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), extended reality (XR), artificial intelligence (AI), and metaverse platforms, encouraging participants to connect, collaborate, and rethink the future of education.

Read the full event story: Global immersive learning experts converge at UPOU for WILLS 2026

Topics of Interest

(But not limited to)

Designing, Building, and Running Immersive Learning Laboratories
Immersive Learning Theories and Pedagogies
Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality in Education
Gamification and Game-based Learning Environments
Immersive Technologies in Professional Training
Storytelling and Narrative Design in Immersive Learning
Interaction and Engagement in Virtual Learning Environments
Ethical Considerations in Immersive Learning
Learning Analytics and Assessment Methods Future Trends in Immersive Learning Technologies
Case Studies and Best Practices

Presentation Formats

Full Academic Papers
- In-depth research eligible for peer review and possible journal publication
Short Papers in Practice
- Case studies, project updates, and preliminary findings (published in symposium proceedings with ISBN & DOI)
Creative & Demonstration Sessions
- Live or recorded demonstrations, immersive storytelling, and design showcases
Short Video Presentations
- 10-minute videos (16:9 aspect ratio) highlighting innovative applications and lessons learned

Supporting Journals

Selected peer-reviewed papers may be published in The International Journal of Information Technology in Governance, Education, and Business (IJITGEB), International Journal on Open and Distance e-Learning (IJODeL), and Journal of Management and Development Studies (JMDS). Short papers and other contributions will appear in the Together Research Archive with ISBN and DOI, ensuring accessibility via ORCID, Google Scholar, and other academic databases.