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About

Andrew Rukangu is an emerging researcher specializing in engineering education technology, with a particular focus on virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and robotics integration in undergraduate learning environments. His work addresses a critical challenge in higher education: the high cost and limited accessibility of hands-on laboratory equipment, which creates inequities across institutions. Rukangu's most influential contribution, "Virtual Reality for Remote Controlled Robotics in Engineering Education" (2021), has garnered 31 citations and demonstrated how VR platforms can serve as viable, cost-effective alternatives to physical lab equipment, particularly for remote and online learners. Building on this foundation, his more recent studies explore how robot programming education shapes student motivation, investigating both virtual and physical robot interactions enhanced through augmented reality. His 2024 and 2025 pilot studies further examine how early exposure to robotics — spanning industries such as defense, manufacturing, medicine, and exploration — influences engagement among new engineering students. Collectively, Rukangu's research positions him as a thoughtful advocate for accessible, technology-driven engineering education, offering practical frameworks that institutions of varying resources can adopt to better prepare the next generation of engineers.