UCL partnership develops world-leading Virtual Exhibitions

UCL has just signed three partnership agreements, which will enable the university to take a leading role in the development of world class Virtual Exhibitions in the arts and heritage sector.

Demonstrating the value the university puts on establishing long term business partnerships, UCL has extended its successful three-year loan equipment agreement with the Canadian company Arius3D for use of the 3D colour laser based in The UCL Chorley Institute and negotiated new agreements with Arius3D and with the Irish-funded company Íomhánna Éigipteach Teoranta (IET), for licensing 3D images and for the development of Virtual Exhibitions.

Sally MacDonald, Head of UCL Collections, commented that “this collaboration provides a wonderful opportunity to create innovative 3D virtual exhibitions based on the Petrie Museum’s world class collections, and to bring UCL’s work to audiences worldwide”.

Prof. Stuart Robson of UCL CEGE, who has been leading the university’s 3D scanning research emphasised the benefits ‘to UCL’s imaging and Digital Humanities research’, Brian Mori, President of Arius3D paid tribute to “UCL’s continued innovation and leadership thinking” and Dr Mike Spearman, Director of IET drew attention to the “unique opportunity to combine ground breaking 3D technology with one of the great Egyptology collections”.

The new agreements bring a number of additional benefits to UCL, including latest generation 3D colour scanning technology (with a new mobile scanner), associated software, funding of scanning and curatorial staff and refurbishment. Transacted through UCL Business the Petrie Museum will also derive income from licensing of individual 3D images and royalties from virtual exhibitions.

The Chorley Institute Arius3D colour laser was installed at UCL in 2006. Based on National Research Council Canada (NRC) technology, and licensed to Arius3D, it was the first of its kind in Europe, and has already generated more than £2.5 million of research funding proposals, as well as numerous workshops and seminars. Prof. Stuart Robson has worked with Sally MacDonald on UCL interdisciplinary initiatives, using the new technology to further relationships with external institutions including the British Museum and The National Trust.

Further Information
For further information contact Dr Anna Clarke, Director of Business Partnerships, on 020 7679 9822 (anna.clark@ucl.ac.uk)