Oščadnica, Slovakia, became the arena for a meeting to strengthen emergency services. The second meeting of partners of the international RESCUER project was held at the foot of the Veľká Rača mountain range. The event was attended by representatives of Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia - mountain rescuers, senior citizens, people with disabilities and research teams. A key element of the meeting was the practical testing of pioneering VR educational tools developed by the WSB Academy team, led by Dr. Ryszard Szynowski, Prof. AWSB, and Dr. Eng. Pawel Buchwald - the creator of the VR application.
The metaverse environment was adapted in an innovative way, not only for the education of emergency services, but also as a tool for practical support - in scenarios simulating real rescue operations. The virtual environment was created on the basis of drone images and real landscapes of mountain regions, and its functionality was developed in active cooperation with rescuers and partners from Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The WSB Academy's research team made significant contributions to the development of educational scenarios - including testing wheelchairs for navigating mountain trails, simulations of sensory limitations (visual, auditory, motor), and a demonstration involving a rescue dog. WSB Academy also provided professional equipment used in practice - demonstrating how science and innovation can realistically support the inclusion of people with disabilities in mountain activities.
The meeting in Oščadnica was the second stage of international cooperation in the RESCUER project - following the inauguration in Austria. The next visit will take place in the Czech Republic. WSB Academy once again confirms its role as a trendsetting institution in professional, technological and social education.