University of Surrey hosts GenZ Immersive Technologies Summit

Organised by the Surrey Academy for Blockchain and Metaverse Applications (SABMA) within Surrey Business School, the summit opened with a vision address by Mabela Budlla, Lead Organiser of the GenZ Summit and Business Development Manager at SABMA, followed by welcome speeches from Professor Iis Tussyadiah, Dean of Surrey Business School, and Professor Yu Xiong, Director of SABMA.

In her opening remarks, Professor Tussyadiah emphasised the importance of empowering young innovators and supporting the next generation of leaders driving change in the global digital economy. Her address highlighted the University’s commitment to creating opportunities where research, enterprise, and student creativity converge to shape responsible technology and sustainable growth.

More than 35 speakers and experts from leading organisations including Google, EY, KPMG, Samsung R&D Institute UK, Women in AI (WAI), BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT, Samsung AI Centre, UK Finance, Luffa, Symbiotic Labs, Kaleidoscope, OneHive, BlockDrops Podcast, OVHcloud and more, alongside members of over 10 UK student societies, contributed to a programme exploring the intersection of ethics, sustainability, and innovation.

The summit featured keynote talks, panel discussions, and interactive sessions designed to encourage dialogue between young professionals and established leaders. A sustainability-focused hackathon invited participants to co-create immersive solutions addressing global challenges, while Meet the Mentor sessions enabled one-to-one engagement with experts across technology, entrepreneurship, and research. Themed networking areas throughout the venue fostered collaboration between students, startups, and employers.

Professor Yu Xiong, Director of SABMA, said: “The GenZ Summit reflects Surrey’s vision of building an ecosystem where education, innovation, and industry work hand in hand. It is a platform for nurturing the next generation of responsible technology leaders.”

Mabela Budlla, Lead Organiser of the summit, added: “By enabling this generation of leaders and contributors to participate more fully, the UK can strengthen its position in global innovation and emerging technologies. The GenZ Immersive Technologies Summit brought together students, universities, businesses, public institutions, and the media to support this goal.”

The GenZ Immersive Technologies Summit forms part of SABMA’s mission to connect global innovators, researchers, and policymakers to advance the responsible development of AI, XR, and Web3 technologies. Following the success of this inaugural edition, plans are already underway to expand the initiative internationally.