Today's Object of the Week is a purple plaque unveiled to a woman whose idea is transforming lives.
A plaque has been unveiled at the University of Sunderland, saluting a graduate whose brainchild is transforming educational access for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) children globally.
In 2021, driven by the experiences of her five-year-old autistic son, Vijayalakshmi Subramani, known as VJ, founded TeenyWeenyVR, an innovative platform utilising virtual reality (VR) to prepare SEND children for new environments and situations.
The new technology provides these children with more broad educational and entertainment possibilities safely.
In its first revolutionary year, the VR platform received nationwide praise, gaining a £50,000 cash boost from Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation Awards, as well as coaching and mentoring to grow the product.
VJ, 38, said: "It’s not just a grant, it's a recognition of a personal mission born from the heart of a mother's love.
"This funding celebrates the journey that started with my son, Jameskarthik, and his interaction with VR technology to soothe his anxiety and in helping transitions through visit preparations in VR."
After migrating from India in 2009, VJ dedicated years working for Sunderland City Council, but she decided she wanted to spread her wings and quit her role to study a postgraduate course at Sunderland.
In 2020, after earning her Master’s in Environment, Health and Safety, she charted her own course by starting Thendral International Ltd, winning Student of the Year in 2019 for her inspirational work supporting fellow students.
VJ’s remarkable career journey has now been honoured with a purple plaque at the University of Sunderland. The plaque recognises the prestigious Women in Innovation award she was awarded in 2022 by Innovate UK.
She is also one of the founders and CEO of Kerckhoffs Ltd, the company behind TeenyWeenyVR, and vice president of its US subsidiary, Eyemmersive Inc.
The unveiling ceremony was held this week at Hope Street Xchange, hosted on the University’s City Campus.
VJ, a proud Sunderland alumna, said: "This is where I studied and learned a lot, not just in the classroom, but about life and chasing dreams. To have this honour in a place that gave me so much is really special. It truly feels like coming full circle."
Emily Nott, Head of Diversity and Inclusion Programmes at Innovate UK, said: "Vijayalakshmi is an exemplary business leader and a wonderful role model for aspiring innovators."
The University of Sunderland's Vice-Chancellor, Sir David Bell, said: "VJ is an outstanding graduate and so we are delighted to have her achievements recognised publicly."
Previous Objects:
- Druid's Temple folly is North Yorkshire's Stonehenge
- Remains of hillfort in County Durham could unlock secrets of ancient conflicts
- Fairy Street in Hetton, Sunderland, has neolithic origins
Beyond her VR vision, VJ hopes to establish a comprehensive digital ecosystem titled SENDelight Gifts, a one-stop resource for SEND children, parents, and carers, offering from toys to technology and expert advice.
In encouraging other aspiring students, VJ said: "Believe in your strength and never give up. Our dreams aren’t just dreams they are blueprints of a future we build together - so hold onto them and go make it happen. It’s about the courage to keep going, no matter what."
More information on TeenyWeenyVR can be found at https://teenyweenyvr.com/
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