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Visit to MIT AI Conference 2026

One of our final year students ‘Kieran Brown’ pictured above, recently visited the MIT Industrial Liaison Program (ILP) Conference 2026 in Boston Massachusetts, held from 12–16 April 2026.

The Conference brought together industry leaders, researchers, and innovators to engage with cutting‑edge developments emerging from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The conference also served as a forum for collaboration between academia and industry, supporting the translation of the latest research into practical, real‑world applications.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a world‑leading private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 1861 with a mission to advance knowledge and educate students in science, technology, engineering, and other fields to address global challenges. Renowned for its emphasis on hands‑on learning, innovation, and interdisciplinary research, MIT has made significant contributions across areas such as artificial intelligence, engineering, economics, climate science, and entrepreneurship, and maintains close partnerships with industry, government, and international institutions.

MIT Motto: **Mens et Manus** (Latin for: “Mind and Hand”)

Kieran provides a wonderful overview of the trip below:

“From April 12th–16th, I had the opportunity to attend the MIT Industrial Liaison Program Conference 2026 in Boston, an experience part-funded by the Welsh Government in collaboration with my current internship company, SHIPMAX.

The programme connects businesses with MIT’s world-leading research, startup ecosystem, and innovation networks, giving companies insight into emerging technologies and future industry challenges. During the conference, MIT graduates, alumni, lecturers, and industry professionals shared valuable insights into the startups they have founded and the transformative role of AI within their businesses.

Through a series of talks and lectures (some of which are outlined below), we explored emerging trends in artificial intelligence and gained exposure to practical tools and recommendations shaping the future of the field.

The experience connected Welsh businesses with world-leading innovation and gave me a broader perspective on how AI can be applied in industry. As a result, I am now applying the knowledge and insights gained at MIT within my role at SHIPMAX, and I am pleased to have secured a full-time position with the company, which I will begin upon completion of my Applied Computing degree in June 2026.”

Fig.: Phil Rees (CEO of SHIPMAX Ltd.) & Kieran Brown (UWTSD Final Year student)

Nice to see that Kieran was also able to enjoy the sites and have some fun too (below:)

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AI insights from UWTSD’s Tim Bashford

UWTSD’s Associate Professor Dr. Tim Bashford, research Lead at the Wales Institute of Digital Information (WIDI), is a prominent voice in artificial intelligence approaches across public services, healthcare, and education. With his background spanning digital innovation, applied research, and skills development, Tim’s work bridges the gap between policy, practice, and emerging technology.

Tim recently contributed to a podcast for Business News Wales, expanding on themes from his guest column ‘AI Readiness Depends on Scale, Not Sector‘. Below is a summary of the ideas underpinning the discussion.

AI Readiness: A Question of Scale and Maturity:
Tim highlight’s the narrative that the public sector lags behind the private sector in AI adoption simply doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. Instead, the real divide lies between: Large, digitally mature, well‑resourced organisations, and Everyone else, particularly smaller organisations with limited capability. This insight reframes the conversation: readiness for AI is not determined by sector, but by institutional scale, digital maturity, and capacity to invest. Contrary to popular belief, Wales’ public services demonstrate:

More mature governance structures for AI
Better‑established support frameworks
Growing cross‑sector collaboration, particularly through partnerships with WIDI and the Welsh NHS.

However, legacy systems and uneven digital capability remain ongoing challenges. While some large Fintech and Medtech companies are rapidly advancing, many SMEs are no more AI‑ready than the least mature public organisations. They often struggle with:

Skills shortages
Investment barriers
Limited digital foundations
Unclear adoption pathways

Tim argues that this ‘long tail’ of SME under‑preparedness is one of the biggest obstacles to Wales’ overall digital readiness. Tim goes on to emphasise that universities are not just “homes of the complex algorithmic work”, that their most significant contribution may actually be:

Skills development
Upskilling the workforce
Helping organisations adopt AI safely and confidently
Supporting responsible innovation across Wales

This positions institutions like WIDI and UWTSD as central pillars of Wales AI ecosystem.

To hear Tim expand on these themes, explore practical implications for organisations, and discuss how Wales can build AI capability across sectors, listen to the podcast here: Public Sector Social Value Podcast Guide.

To explore more about Tim’s work and background please visit:
* UWTSD News (AI Edu. Conference 2025): https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/news/uwtsd-host-welsh-collective-ai-education-conference-2025
* ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tim-Bashford

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Project Profile: Farley Staines

Name: Farley Staines

Course: BSc (Hons) Computing (Data and Information Systems)

Project title: A comparative analysis of driving performance and styles across simulators and real-world scenarios

Brief overview: The project focused on creating a telemetry program that can display and overlap data from both the car simulator and real-life cars.

Key term: Telemetry is the automated, remote collection and wireless transmission of data from sensors to a central system for monitoring, analysis, and optimization. It is widely used across aerospace, IT, healthcare, and manufacturing to track metrics like temperature, speed, or system performance, enabling real-time decision-making. [r: ibm.com]

The project was written in Python and contains multiple user interfaces for different functionality. It supports both real-world and simulator data sources from Motec and ViGrade formats. It imports this data as a CSV and converts it into an SQLite database.

Key term: Motec (MoTeC) and VI-grade (ViGrade) represent two different, often complementary, sides of automotive simulation and data analysis, specializing in data logging and virtual testing.
* MoTeC is a world leader in motorsport data acquisition (loggers, ECUs, dash displays). Their data format is designed to record vehicle performance data in real-time. MoTeC creates proprietary “log files” (usually with .ld or .ldx extensions) generated by their i2 (Interpreted) Data Analysis software.
* VI-grade is a leading company specializing in driving simulators and virtual testing solutions for the transportation industry. VI-grade provides software for offline simulation (predicting performance) and real-time simulators (driver-in-the-loop). Their formats are designed for high-performance vehicle modelling (handling, ride, NVH), enabling engineers to simulate cars and race tracks before building a physical prototype.

The project’s program features include displaying data on various types of graphs (click below to enlarge), identifying and visualising specific laps from the data, being able to group similar data together and plotting them onto the same graph, and supporting multiple databases being loaded at the same time.

Project Conclusion: Based on the feedback received, the strengths include effectively managing multiple sources of data, custom grouping capabilities, improved workflow, all packaged in a single file.

After graduation: After graduation I aim to move into a motorsports career as a Data Engineer.

Key term: A ‘Data Engineer’ builds and maintains a data infrastructure including the pipelines, databases, and processing computer systems, that converts raw data into actionable information. A Data Engineer ensures the data is accessible, clean, and secure, utilizing tools such as SQL, Python, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) to aid decision-making.

A top tip/advice for students: Manage your work by doing little bits at a time and not leaving it right to the end.

For further information about Computing courses at UWTSD, please click-here.

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Industry Lecture: Hoowla (LegalTech Company)

Many thanks to Adam Curtis (CEO of Hoowla) & Edd Turtle (Senior Software Developer at Hoowla) for recently visiting UWTSD’s School of Applied Computing to share industry insights, emerging trends and many top enterprising tips. The talk was thoroughly enjoyed by staff and students alike.

Hoowla is a Legal Technology (LegalTech) Company based in Swansea, UK. And provides case management software for Solicitors, Conveyancers & HR.

Adam shared the story behind Hoowla, showing how a real software business grows from an initial idea into a profitable, scalable company. Adam highlighted that students often focus on finding the perfect idea, but experience shows that execution matters far more. Adam went on to emphasise that the most important step is to begin. Most progress comes from breaking work into smaller tasks, documenting processes, and being comfortable with mistakes along the way. Entrepreneurship and software development are learning processes, not linear paths.

Adam concluded with practical advice drawn from experience: start with a real problem, price products based on usage rather than people, invest in building a good team and accept that sales is always critical, even in technical businesses. Ultimately, he encouraged students to enjoy the journey of building something meaningful, recognising that while outcomes matter, most of the value comes from what you learn and build along the way.

“We’re proud to be based in Swansea while supporting businesses across the UK. Engaging with students is something we genuinely value, as it provides a real-world perspective on building and running a software business after graduation. We’re also passionate about supporting the local employment landscape, and we regularly recruit graduates from UWTSD who bring fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and a strong drive to learn and grow within the business.”
– Adam Curtis

Fig.: Edd Turtle (Senior Software Developer at Hoowla)

Edd focused on the realities of turning software ideas into working, real‑world products. A central message was that developers must always consider who the software is for, where it runs (web, embedded devices, client vs server), how quickly it needs to respond, and how it will be deployed and supported.

Edd went on to discuss technology choices and stressed that ‘Proven tools’ such as relational databases, established backend languages, and stable front‑end frameworks save time and money and reduce risk. He highlighted popular programming languages (drawing on TIOBE rankings) and showed how trends change, reinforcing the idea that fundamentals matter more than chasing the latest tools.

A significant part of the presentation explored modern development practices, including rapid prototyping and the growing role of AI in software development. Edd noted that a substantial portion of code is now AI‑generated, which changes how developers work but does not remove the need for understanding, testing, and responsibility. He also outlined the typical structure of a web application, introducing concepts from the Twelve‑Factor App approach and emphasising scalable infrastructure that can start small but grow over time.

Finally, Edd highlighted the importance of teamwork and community in professional software development. Practices such as pair programming, code reviews, and automation (for testing, security, deployment, and documentation) are crucial for quality and maintainability. He encouraged students to seek support through online communities and local software groups, and ended with a coding puzzle to reinforce careful reading, logical thinking, and attention to detail, core skills for any developer.

“It was a real pleasure meeting the students and talking about what we do. Their curiosity, questions, and new ideas make these sessions incredibly motivating and reinforce why sharing real experiences matters.” – Edd Turtle

The Academic staff at UWTSD’s School of Applied Computing would like to thank Adam & Edd for taking the time to speak with our students and share their valuable experience, industry knowledge and insights. 👏🙂 Diolch yn fawr iawn.

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Industry Lecture: Innovation & Project Management

**Geraint Williams** (Director of Mission Control – left above) & **David Jones** (Principal Consultant – right above)

Many thanks to our industry partners from Fujitsu ‘David Jones‘ (Principal Consultant) and Geraint Williams (Director of Mission Control) for visiting the University again to speak with our students and share their valuable knowledge, skills, experience and insights.

Their industry guest Lecture titled ‘Innovation & Project Management‘, brought together decades of industry expertise, offering students a rare and valuable inside look into how innovation really happens within major organisations, and how modern project management brings ideas and solutions to life.

Drawing from Drucker, the UK Government, OECD, and their own experience, they showed that innovation is fundamentally about:

Doing something new that creates value
Improving outcomes, efficiency, effectiveness, and quality
Turning ideas into implemented change that benefits people and society

Innovation succeeds when it is: Novel, Implemented (not just imagined), Value-creating and Adaptable to changing needs.

They outlined different types of innovation and what drives Successful innovation. And that a sustainable innovation culture rests on four pillars:

Leadership that champions experimentation
Workforce empowerment and diverse skills
Processes that are agile and user‑centred
Partnerships across academia, industry, and civil society [

The second half of the session unpacked real-world project delivery, comparing traditional and modern Agile Project Management approaches.

Both speakers gave insights from major industry projects. They emphasised that innovation means nothing unless it can be delivered, and delivery fails without the ability to innovate. Students gained industry insights and a powerful, industry‑tested message: Technology, Solutions & Big ideas matter. Bold leadership matters. But People and the Social element are vital for success: Collaboration is what turns ideas into real positive impact and results.

Geraint Williams “Thoroughly enjoyed speaking with the students and sharing industry insights on driving successful innovation, along with the pros and cons of different project management methodologies.”

David Jones “It was a great opportunity to come back to UWTSD and bring some insights from working in a wide variety of roles through my career. Focusing on Innovation and Project Management, I was able to share real‑world perspectives on how organisations navigate change, deliver value, and harness creative thinking to solve complex challenges.”

We would like to thank both David & Geraint for taking the time to come back to the University again to share their valuable experience and expertise. And look forward to further collaboration in the future. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

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Final Project Exhibition 2026

We’re excited to be hosting our Computing & Engineering Final Year Project Exhibition 2026, at our UWTSD SA1 Waterfront Campus in Swansea again this year. Where our final‑year students will showcase and demonstrate their final year independent projects from across our BEng and BSc programmes.

Our industry partners & employers are invited, this is a great opportunity for employers to:
✅ Meet and engage with final‑year talent
✅ Explore real‑world computing and engineering projects
✅ Share industry insights and shape future graduates

We are delighted to welcome employers and encourage you to register your attendance.

📍 Location: UWTSD SA1 Waterfront Campus, Swansea
📅 Date: Friday 29 May 2026
⏰ Time: 2:00–5:00pm

#Computing #Engineering #STEM #GraduateTalent #IndustryEngagement #UWTSD #FinalYearProjects

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Exciting news: UWTSD Esports Society 🎮😃

Exciting news: Final year student Orin McGinn has relaunched the UWTSD Esports Society 🎮😃. Message from Orin below:

Whether you’re a competitive gamer looking to represent the university in national leagues, or you just love gaming and want to meet like-minded people — this society is for you. We’re not just for hardcore competitive players. This is a space for everyone, regardless of skill level, course, or background. If you enjoy gaming in any form, you belong here.

And when we say gaming, we mean all of it. As much as we’re called the Esports Society, we’re really a gaming society in the broadest sense. Alongside online and competitive gaming, we’re also expanding into tabletop and board games — think Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer, and pretty much anything else you can think of. If it involves a game, it’s welcome here.

🎮 What we offer:
• Competitive teams entering NSE and NUEL university leagues
• Casual gaming sessions open to all
• Tabletop and board game sessions — D&D, Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer and more
• A dedicated gaming room on campus with high-end setups
• “Play Your Lecturer” — friendly gaming sessions where students take on university staff
• A welcoming community to help you settle into university life.

💰 Membership:
• Student Membership — £5 (casual play, community access)
• Competitive Membership — £8 (competitive teams, university league entry)

Not sure which membership is right for you? No problem — our first session is completely free. Just fill in the sign-up form and come along. We’ll be going over both membership options on the day so you can get a proper feel for what the society is about and decide what suits you best. There’s no pressure and no commitment required just to come and see what we’re all about.

And this isn’t just for students. You won’t only be gaming with your fellow students — you’ll be getting involved with lecturers, researchers, and staff members from across the university. For any staff members reading this, we have a Staff Membership coming very soon at just £6, offering the same access as the Student Membership. Whether you want to get involved with your students, revisit the tabletop games you grew up with, or just fancy a game at lunch — there’ll be a place for you here too.

Stay in the loop:
The best way to stay up to date with everything is to fill in the sign-up form and join our Discord server. That’s where we’ll be posting all future events, announcements and updates as they happen. We’ll also be keeping our Student Union page updated regularly, and we’ll be appearing on the university TVs very soon.

🔗 Links:
• Sign up here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/VbY9UJxcLr
• Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/bRqfNfF3cv
• Find us on the SU website: https://www.uwtsdunion.co.uk/groups/uwtsd-esports-society

If you have any questions feel free to reach out. We’d love to have you on board. Let’s build something great together.

Orin McGinn
Society President, UWTSD Esports Society

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Dathliad Dydd Gŵyl Dewi🎉🌼💛

Rhai lluniau hyfryd o’n dathliad Dydd Gŵyl Dewi 🎉🌼💛 / Some lovely pictures from our Saint David’s Day celebration🎉🌼💛😀

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New Appointment: Elliott Atkins – Professor of Practice in Applied Computing

Celebrating a New Appointment:
Elliott Atkins joins UWTSD as Professor of Practice in Applied Computing

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Elliott Atkins as a new Professor of Practice within the Applied Computing Academic Discipline at the University. This distinguished role recognises Elliott’s exceptional professional achievements and industry expertise he brings to our university community.

Speaking after his appointment, Elliott said “I’m delighted to have been appointed as a Professor of Practice at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. I’m really looking forward to sharing real-world insights and experience with students, early-career academics and staff, as well as contributing to curriculum development across the Applied Computing, Cyber Security, and Digital Forensics programmes.”

With a career spanning nearly three decades at the forefront of global cyber security, incident response, and national digital resilience, Elliott’s appointment strengthens and will further enhance real‑world industry learning experiences for our students.

A Leader in National Cyber Security:
Elliott is an internationally recognised leader in the field of cyber security. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has held several high-profile positions central to the UK’s national cyber resilience, including:

Managing Director of Exercise3: an NCSC‑assured provider of realistic cyber incident exercises, founded by Elliott in 2014 to prepare organisations for complex cyber crises using highly accurate scenario‑based training.
Head of the UK Government’s Computer Emergency Response Team (GovCertUK) at GCHQ, leading 24×7 national incident response operations.
Head of Cyber Intelligence at QinetiQ, contributing to defence and national security innovation.
Head of Incident Response at Nominet, the UK’s top‑level domain registry, overseeing the protection of critical national internet infrastructure.

Elliott’s influence also extends internationally, as he serves as the UK liaison member of FIRST, the global forum for incident response teams, helping shape standards and collaboration across more than 800 CSIRTs worldwide.

Royal Appointment: CISO to the Royal Household:
A unique highlight in Elliott’s career is his appointment by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as the Royal Household’s first Chief Information Security Officer in 2021. This role was created as part of a heightened national effort to strengthen the monarchy’s cyber security posture against increasingly sophisticated threats. His appointment was a key step in safeguarding sensitive digital assets across the Royal Household.

Honours, Fellowships, and Industry Recognition:
Elliott is a Fellow of the British Computer Society, a recognition of his sustained contribution to the advancement of cyber security practice.

He also has a long record of community and charitable leadership. Outside the digital realm, Elliott is passionate about aviation heritage and serves as Chair of Trustees of the Panavia Tornado Preservation Group, a charity dedicated to preserving the iconic Tornado aircraft and inspiring future generations of engineers and aviators.

Fig.: Tornado GR.1P at South Wales Aviation Museum

Elliott’s commitment to developing cyber resilience and technical capability aligns strongly with UWTSD’s mission to prepare graduates for critical roles in an increasingly digital world.

A Transformative Contribution to UWTSD:
As a Professor of Practice, Elliott will play a significant role in enhancing the Applied Computing provision at the university. He brings world‑leading expertise and will help support our programmes in cyber security, digital forensics, and incident response. This is an extraordinary opportunity for students, staff, and partners alike to engage with one of the UK’s most experienced practitioner‑leaders in cyber security.

With gratitude, we warmly welcome Elliott to the university and look forward to the contribution he will bring to our community.

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