Seyram Kwame, an international master's student in the Operations Management Program at the U of A, is the lead author of a recently published article on virtual reality and its role in developing soft skills in individuals.

Kwame's research focuses on the practical use of emerging technology such as virtual reality and Meta Quest 2 and 3 to facilitate science education, specifically around the development of soft skills and enhanced work efficiency in educational contexts.

"21st century technologies have changed dramatically in the last decade and are being introduced into academic disciplines because the demand from industry for students with experience in immersive technologies is increasing," Kwame said. "With technology like virtual reality comes the opportunity to develop and strengthen soft skills, so that engineering students will be ready to enter the workforce upon completion of studies."

A native of Ghana, Kwame became interested in the topic after working with Jay McAllister, College of Engineering and Honors College associate librarian, as a graduate assistant working with emerging technologies. This role led him to explore new augmented and virtual reality tools, and after reading about research illustrating employers' value and need of soft skills in the workforce, he converged those interests.

"I explored the notion that engineering students could use these devices to improve their soft skills in an immersive environment," he said.

Kwame presented the findings of his research alongside McAllister at the 2024 American Society for Engineering Education's Midwest Conference at the University of Kansas.

"I was thrilled when my paper was approved by the American Society for Engineering Education, and attending the conference was an incredible experience," Kwame said. "In the keynote panel, one speaker's repeated emphasis on the importance of soft skills for engineers and their necessity for employment was particularly encouraging. Listening to other researchers' findings also broadened my understanding of engineers' perspectives.

"I am grateful to my supervisor, Jay McAllister, for his unrelenting support and to the University of Arkansas Libraries for the financial sponsorship to participate in the 2024 ASEE Midwest conference," he added.