Augmented
Reality

Meta Spark Program

Ignite the creative genius within you; Revolutionize how stories are told and experiences are shared

ALU & The Room in
partnership with Meta

What is
Augmented Reality?

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technological innovation that overlays digital information—such as images, sounds, and text — onto the real world. Unlike Virtual Reality (VR), which creates a completely artificial environment, AR uses the existing environment and adds layers of information to it. Essentially, AR enhances your perception of reality by integrating digital elements into your sensory experiences, typically via a smartphone, tablet, or specialized AR glasses. Augmented Reality (AR) is not merely a global trend; it’s a groundbreaking medium with unique applications that resonate profoundly with the diverse and rich contexts found across Africa.

Cultural Storytelling
Reimagined

Imagine an AR-enhanced tour of the Maasai Mara, where each animal you encounter comes accompanied by folklore tales or ecological facts. Or consider a children's book that tells African fables, where the characters come to life and interact with the reader, fostering a deeper emotional and cultural connection.

Localized Consumer
Experience

Why wonder how a piece of furniture would fit into your Lagos apartment when you can visualize it in real-time through your smartphone? AR can bridge the gap between online shopping and in-person retail, providing a unique customer experience steeped in local relevance.

Navigational
Innovation

For sprawling African cities or remote landscapes, AR can offer real-time navigational support. Visual overlays on your car's windshield could provide directions, highlight road hazards, or even pinpoint nearby places of interest, from local markets in Accra to hidden waterfalls in Seychelles.

Education
for All

In educational settings, AR can offer significant advantages, particularly in areas with limited resources. Imagine a rural school in Zimbabwe where textbooks are scarce but a single AR-enabled device can provide an interactive learning experience for multiple subjects, bringing the curriculum to life in an engaging way.

Unbridled
Creativity

From Cape Town's art scene to Nigeria's Nollywood, African creators can use AR to add layers of interaction and meaning to their work. Painters, filmmakers, and musicians alike can employ this technology to create immersive experiences that engage audiences on multiple sensory levels.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Ready to take a quantum leap in the world of digital artistry? Dive into the universe of Augmented Reality (AR) with the Meta Spark Program — an exceptional initiative backed by the African Leadership University (ALU), The Room, and Meta. Crafted exclusively for the growing creative talent in Sub-Saharan Africa, this program is more than a course—it's a renaissance. It's about training a new generation of creators to become certified AR professionals and joining a burgeoning global community of digital magicians.

DURATION

2 weeks

(registration is on a rolling basis, new cohorts begin every 2 weeks)

COST

Free

STRUCTURE

Online

(asynchronous self-study sessions and interactive live sessions with facilitator)

PARTNER

Meta (formerly known as Facebook)

Why Choose
this Programme?

Whether you’re an eager novice or a seasoned pro, the Meta Spark program is for you. This multifaceted program will empower you to translate ideas into interactive and immersive experiences that captivate the senses. Your imagination is your only limit.

No Code experience?
No Problem!

The visual programming approach allows you to weave interactivity, animate objects, and fabricate your digital landscapes with blissful ease. No experience is required.

Craft Your
Reality

From realistic textures and 3D objects to intricate 2D surfaces, your digital palette is infinite. Throughout the program, you will layer, blend, and contour every element to craft a living experience that fits your creative rhythm.

See the impact
of your work

Effectively distribute and monitor your AR effects. With Meta Spark Hub at your disposal, you're not just launching your projects into the digital arena — you'll be able to track their resonance in real time across platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Get Meta
Certified

Gain a badge of distinction in the digital world with Meta certification. Become part of an elite circle of AR professionals whose skills are vouched for on an international stage. With Meta Certification, you're showcasing not just your foundational understanding of AR, but your adept mastery of the subject.

Eligibility requirements for the Meta Spark Program

Augmented Reality