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Games Design students reshaping NHS research

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A group of innovative games design students have created an immersive animation game, to support the NHS Cornwall Intellectual Disability Equality (CIDER) Research group.  

The talented students, all studying the Games Design for Industry degree at Cornwall College University Centre, have been collaborating with local medical professionals on a special mission to craft a digital experience tailored specifically for CIDER. 

The animation and game created by the learners is hoped to revolutionise the way intellectual disability and neurodevelopmental research is carried out, and enhance patient engagement within the NHS project. 

Students embraced the challenge, diligently collaborating with the doctors to ensure the animation and game met the rigorous standards of medical terminology and NHS requirements. 

The doctors, who have commissioned the project, were thrilled with the outcome, and expressed their appreciation by rewarding the learners with cutting-edge Quest 2 VR (Virtual Reality) kit. 

Professor Rohit Shankar MBE, who led the project, said: “We’re immensely thankful to all the students who’ve transformed our vision into a tangible reality.” 

“This animation and game will serve as an invaluable tool for both industry professionals, and patients participating in CIDER projects. We cannot wait to work with The Cornwall College Group in the future, and make more of our ideas come to life,” added Rohit. 

Already making a positive impact, the animation has been shown multiple times during presentations by Professor Rohit, to support the research, and better engage with participants. 

Stephen Howard, higher education programme manager for Games Design, was thrilled with the performance displayed by the students. 

“We’re absolutely ecstatic to receive such phenomenal feedback from the doctors. The overwhelmingly positive reaction we have received has been truly remarkable, and the students are delighted to be making a difference to people’s lives.” 

“As a college, we’re sincerely grateful for the generous gift presented by Prof. Rohit Shankar on behalf of the NHS and CIDER, the VR kit will be used as part of our course and studies,” continued Stephen. 

Doctors Richard Laugharne, and Sarah Lennard, supported the students throughout the process, they said the learners’ innovative creation will “transform the landscape of CIDER’s mental disability research.”