Team AI-VR Nursing Innovators has won the Champion Award in Stream 3: Application of Embodied AI at the 2nd International Competition on AI in Education 2026. 

Hosted by The Artificial Intelligence Research and Education Alliance (AIREA), the competition serves as an international platform that brings together students, educators, researchers and industry professionals to advance innovative, inclusive and responsible applications of AI in education.

The team’s winning submission, “AI-Enhanced Virtual Reality Simulation for Clinical Handover Training: An Embodied AI Approach,” demonstrates how artificial intelligence and immersive virtual reality can transform professional healthcare education. The project enables nursing students to practise clinical communication in realistic virtual environments. Through AI-powered nurse avatars, students can conduct ISBAR-structured clinical handovers, receive real-time prompts and feedback, and build confidence before entering real clinical settings.

The project was developed in interdisciplinary collaboration with colleagues from the School of Nursing @ (HKU + PolyU) and TALIC @ HKU.

The winning team members are:

Dr. Maggie Chan* — School of Nursing, PolyU
Dr. Benney Wong — School of Nursing, HKU
Mr. Abraham Wan — School of Nursing, HKU
Dr. Carson Hung — TALIC, HKU
Mr. Ziv Tai — TALIC, HKU

This achievement highlights the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing teaching and learning innovation. By bringing together embodied AI, virtual reality and thoughtful pedagogical design, the project supports the development of safer, more confident and more practice-ready healthcare professionals.

For more information about the project, please visit:
https://talic.hku.hk/story260107

*Dr. Maggie Chan is the initiator of the project and was formerly affiliated with HKU.

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Effective clinical handovers are vital for seamless patient care and strong teamwork in healthcare. 

To build essential skills, competence and confidence, Nursing students benefit greatly from realistic, interactive practice. The AI-Enhanced Virtual Reality Simulation System in Nursing practice, co-created by the innovative team led by Dr. Maggie Chan*, Dr. Benney Wong, Mr. Abraham Wan at the School of Nursing, and Dr. Carson Hung and Mr. Ziv Tai at TALIC, were designed to prepare nursing students for professional nursing communications through cutting edge simulation technology.

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