E-Sports Game Day at UWTSD IQ Building – A Resounding Success
The recent E-Sports Game Day held at the UWTSD IQ Building was a resounding success, drawing enthusiastic participation from students across multiple programmes. The event celebrated the rapidly growing culture of competitive gaming and underscored the university’s commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and student engagement.
Throughout the day, students showcased exceptional teamwork, creativity, and sportsmanship as they competed in a series of e-sports tournaments. The atmosphere was vibrant and inclusive, offering students the chance to connect with peers, share their passion for gaming, and explore the professional dimensions of the e-sports industry.
Staff members, including Richard William Morgan gramme Manager, and his team, played a pivotal role in the event’s success. Their dedication ranging from organising and managing equipment to encouraging student participation ensured that the event ran seamlessly and provided an enjoyable experience for all involved.
The E-Sports Game Day not only highlighted the remarkable talent and enthusiasm within the student community but also strengthened the sense of belonging at UWTSD. Events like this reflect the university’s ongoing dedication to supporting student-led initiatives that blend learning, entertainment, and collaboration, further enriching campus life.
We’re thrilled to announce that in the Guardian University Guide 2026, our courses have ranked 1st in Wales & 9th in the UK for Animation & Games Design and 1st in Wales & 11th in the UK for Computer Science and Information Systems. 🎉🎊
This achievement reflects our dedication to delivering hands-on, real-world industry relevant learning experiences, with exceptional student support. Our highly qualified, industry-experienced staff work hard to ensure students are prepared for a successful future with the practical knowledge & employability skills they need to excel.
A huge thank you to our students, staff, and supportive community for making this recognition possible. 🙏👍
For information about our courses, please click-here.
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) hosted a pioneering workshop, titled ‘Soft Exoskeleton Robots and Digital Healthcare,’ bringing together experts from across disciplines to explore the future of rehabilitation technologies.
Held at the University’s IQ Building at its SA1 Swansea Waterfront campus, the event marked a significant moment in cross-sector collaboration aimed at co-designing innovative, patient-focused solutions.
Led by Dr Seena Joseph and Dr Tim Bashford from UWTSD, the workshop was part of the Soft Exoskeleton Robotics Project, a collaborative effort funded by the Wales Innovation Network (WIN). The project brings together partners from Cardiff Met ( Dr Wai Keung Fu), University of South Wales (Dr Leshan Uggalla) and Institute of Robotics, Bulgaria (Dr Tony Punnoose), all working together to advance rehabilitation technologies.
The full-day workshop convened leaders from robotics and engineering, healthcare and clinical practice, academia, and industry, sparking multidisciplinary dialogue on the development and real-world application of soft exoskeleton robots for rehabilitation. Attendees included academics, researchers, clinicians, innovators, and policy influencers, all united by a common goal: to shape more effective, accessible, and human-centred healthcare technologies.
Dr Kapilan Radhakrishan, UWTSD’s Academic Director (Applied Computing), delivered the welcome address and provided an overview of the project. He described the workshop as a valuable platform to introduce the project and set the stage of exploring new research ideas and to ignite meaningful collaborations with experts across disciplines in soft robotic and digital health.
Dr Mark Cocks, Dean of the University’s Wales Institute of Science and Art who opened the event said: “Collaboration is the buzzword, and it is more important than ever. In today’s complex and fast-changing landscape, working together across disciplines and sectors is essential to drive innovation and achieve meaningful outcomes. This workshop perfectly exemplifies how bringing experts from academic, industry and healthcare together can spark new ideas. We are proud to host such an impactful and forward-thinking event.”
Highlights included:
The workshop featured a series of compelling talks and a live demonstration of the prototype of soft exoskeleton robot for stroke rehabilitation developed by Dr Tony Punnoose (Institute of Robotics, Bulgaria), one of the team members.
Dr Fatma Layas and Dr Yajie Zhang (ATiC) presenting human-centred product evaluation approaches in healthcare.
“A Digital Healthcare Overview” was presented by Dr. Tim Bashford, one of the workshop organisers. His presentation provided a broad perspective on the evolving role of digital technologies in healthcare, setting the scene for the day’s discussions and highlighting opportunities for innovation and collaboration.
Dr Wai Keung Fung (Cardiff Metropolitan University) one of the co-organisers outlining core design principles of Soft Exoskeletons
Dr Gokul Kandaswamy (NHS Wales) delivered an exciting talk on how robotic technologies are transforming patient care, sparking meaningful discussions, and inspiring ideas for future collaborations
Dr Udayanga Galappaththi an industry partner from Far UK Ltd exploring the integration of sustainable materials in robotic hand exoskeletons.
Dr Seena Joseph delivered an presentation on “Recent Trends in Soft Robotic Exoskeletons: Insights from a Systematic Literature Review,” offering a comprehensive overview of global research developments, emerging technologies, and future directions in the field.
Additional highlights included the presentation from several experts: Prof Eggbeer, Dominic from Cardiff Met discussed the impact of lead users and 3D printing on advancing adaptive sports technology, while Dr Rajan Prasad, from Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi shared innovative simulation-based designs for cable-driven exoskeletons aiding post stroke gait recovery.
A live prototype demonstration by Dr Tony Punnoose (Institute of Robotics, Bulgaria), showcasing a bilateral soft exoskeleton robot for stroke rehabilitation. He underscored the importance of shifting research efforts toward developing small-scale, user-friendly parallel robotic systems that patients can take home, enabling more consistent, accessible, and effective rehabilitation beyond the clinical setting.
The event culminated in an energetic panel discussion, moderated by Dr Fung, with panellists diving into practical applications, ethical considerations, and future research directions for soft robotic solutions in health contexts. Looking back on the event, he said:
“Moderating the panel discussion reminded me that the future of rehabilitation isn’t just about smarter machines, it’s about deeper collaboration between engineers, clinicians, and users to co-create technologies that truly empower.”
The event also included a productive networking session, facilitated by Dr Leshan Uggalla (University of South Wales) from the project team. This session gave attendees a valuable opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and foster potential collaborations in a relaxed and engaging environment.
The workshop not only reinforced UWTSD’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research and real-world innovation but also underscored its ambition to serve as a hub for cutting-edge dialogue that shapes the future of care and rehabilitation.
What truly inspires me about animation and the broader field of digital arts is the unlimited creative potential it offers. I have a genuine passion for games, animation, VFX, and CGI, particularly the captivating effects seen in Marvel movies. The ability to bring ideas to life through digital mediums and create immersive experiences that can transport viewers into different worlds is incredibly motivating.
Video below: BA Game Design animation by Hamza Qasim
Beyond the creative aspects, I’m inspired by how this field connects to my other interests, especially automotive design. The intersection of technical precision and artistic vision in CGI, particularly in automotive visualisation, represents the perfect blend of my passions. What makes this journey even more inspiring is the supportive environment at UWTSD, where I feel encouraged to explore emerging technologies and push the boundaries of what’s possible in animation and interactive media.
Video below: Portfolio from BA Games Design Yr.3 by Hamza Qasim
Throughout my Masters program, I’ve been developing a diverse range of technical and creative skills. On the technical side, I’ve advanced my proficiency in 3D modelling, animation, texturing, and rendering using various versions of Blender (4.0, 4.2, and 4.4). I’ve also expanded into video editing and composition using Wondershare Filmora 13, along with comprehensive sound design capabilities.
Video below: Cans by Hamza Qasim
Video below: Koi by Hamza Qasim
Recently, I’ve ventured into VR development using Unreal Engine 5.5, where I’ve learned to create custom blueprints for asset switching, material switching, and targeted interactions. One of my proudest achievements has been developing a real-time sun movement system that enhances environmental immersion in VR experiences.
Video below: Material Switching & Sun Movement by Hamza Qasim
Beyond technical skills, I’ve been developing crucial soft skills through modules like Leadership, Management and Ethics. This module, though different from animation, has taught me about various leadership styles, management approaches, and proper research methodologies, skills that are invaluable for any creative professional.
Favourite Technology: My current favourite tool is definitely Blender. While we also learn Maya at University, I’ve found that the modelling and animation skills transfer seamlessly to Blender, and it offers several advantages that make it exceptional for independent learning and creative work. What I love most about Blender is its comprehensive nature, I can model, sculpt, texture, animate, composite, and render all within a single application.
The fact that it’s completely free removes financial barriers to learning, and the extensive community support through YouTube tutorials and forums means that virtually any problem I encounter has likely been solved by someone else. The accessibility and community aspect of Blender have been game-changing for my learning process. While Maya still has some advantages, particularly for UV unwrapping, the plugins available for Blender help bridge most gaps, making it an incredibly versatile tool for independent artists and students.
Video below: Liminal Spaces using Advanced Techniques by Hamza Qasim
After you Graduate? My career aspiration is to work as a CGI Artist at an automotive company, with Mercedes-Benz being my preferred destination. This goal is informed by my previous experience working there before enrolling at UWTSD, which gave me valuable insight into the industry and confirmed my passion for automotive visualisation.
Video below: Car in motion by Hamza Qasim
The automotive industry’s increasing reliance on high-quality CGI for marketing, design visualisation, and virtual showrooms aligns perfectly with my skills in 3D modelling, animation, and rendering. My experience with both traditional animation techniques and emerging technologies like VR positions me well for the evolving demands of automotive CGI, where immersive experiences are becoming increasingly important.
Video below: Cloth Reveal by Hamza Qasim
Advice for students? My most important advice is simple but crucial: do something that you truly enjoy. Don’t choose a course based on others’ expectations or perceived prestige, choose it for yourself and your genuine interests.
I love what I study because it encompasses everything I’m passionate about: games, animation, VFX, CGI, and automotive design. This genuine enthusiasm makes the work feel less like a chore and more like an exciting challenge. When you’re passionate about your subject, you naturally strive for excellence and find yourself more resilient when facing difficulties.
Fig.: Digital Arts image
Another key lesson I’ve learned is about perfectionism and deadlines. As an artist, I’ll always strive for perfection, but I’ve come to understand that sometimes you need to aim for the best work possible within tight deadlines rather than perfect work that never gets completed. It’s better to submit a strong, complete project than to miss deadlines chasing an impossible ideal of perfection. The balance between ambition and pragmatism is essential for success in any creative field.
Experience at UWTSD? My experience at UWTSD has been absolutely transformative and couldn’t have been better. The support system here is extraordinary, from Richard Morgan in the Games Design department, who has been my rock throughout my three-year BA journey, to lecturers like Nabeel Masih, Adam Head, Philip Organ, and James Williams, who have consistently encouraged my growth and exploration of emerging technologies. The university’s holistic approach to student support extends beyond academics. The well-being department has been incredibly supportive during challenging times with my mental health, and the entire campus environment, from reception and canteen staff to lecturers, creates an atmosphere that feels genuinely supportive and nurturing.
I’ve had numerous opportunities for leadership and community involvement, serving as Student Representative for both my BA and MA courses and participating in the UWTSD Esports Committee, where we organised events and created lasting memories. The university even pushed me toward pursuing my Masters degree when I wasn’t initially planning to continue, a decision that has proven invaluable. The collaborative environment has allowed me to form lasting friendships with both staff and students, and I’ve been able to contribute through graphic design work for various university projects. If I could change anything about my university experience, it would be nothing, every aspect has been beneficial and has contributed to my growth as both a person and a professional.
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For further information about Computer Games & Animation courses at UWTSD, please click here.
Project Title: An affordable device for monitoring noise levels in home studio environments to warn users of duration-based hearing damage.
Purpose: As a drummer and someone who regularly practises in home studio environments, I quickly became aware of how easily you can be exposed to loud sounds for long periods. Many people only think about hearing damage in terms of volume, but in fact, long durations of noises that aren’t excessively loud can be just as dangerous. I wanted to build a simple and affordable device that could help raise awareness of this overlooked danger and help people protect their hearing.
Fig.: Design
Implementation: The system consists of a small microphone and microcontroller, both housed in a compact 3D-printed case. The device connects to a desktop application built in Python. It monitors the noise in the room in real time, calculates how long it’s safe to be in that environment based on the current sound levels, and sends a warning when the average noise levels since starting the application reach a point where it becomes dangerous to continue listening.
Fig.: Case implementation
The GUI displays current noise levels, the average levels since starting, the time remaining before risk becomes high, and how long the app has been running. The system was built for under £20 and was tested with real users, receiving very positive feedback for its usability and clarity.
Fig.: Application
Conclusion: The final product was a reliable, accurate tool that helped users understand their sound environment better. It successfully raised awareness of long-term hearing risks and provided clear, real-time feedback. The project met all its core goals and achieved an excellent System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 89.5. It also received valuable suggestions from users, which could shape future improvements, such as wearable versions and mobile app integration.
Next steps: I’m hoping to move into a role that allows me to work with people and ideally in music or creative environments. I’m particularly interested in opportunities that combine practical problem-solving with collaboration. My degree in Software Engineering has given me a strong foundation in project planning, technical thinking, and building things that work in the real world – skills that will be useful in many industries, not just computing.
Advice for students: Your time and energy are limited, so it’s important to prioritise your studies and project work, especially in your final year. Balancing other commitments is part of life, but giving focused attention to your degree when it counts will really pay off. Also, don’t be afraid to use the tools available to you – make use of AI, but without breaching academic standards. Do use it to help guide research and explore ideas related to your studies, don’t use it as a copy-and-paste tool to blindly research information. AI isn’t going to go away, so it’s important you learn how to use it to assist your studies as early as possible in your degree. Good luck with your studies!
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For further information about Computing & Computer Science courses at UWTSD, please click here.
Project Title: Women in STEM Study Buddy – A Mobile Application for Academic Networking
Fig.: FemSTEMConnect
Project introduction: The motivation behind this project was to address the under-representation and isolation that many women in STEM fields experience during their academic journey. I wanted to create a platform that would allow female students to connect, support one another, and collaborate through shared academic interests. The project reflects both my technical interests and my desire to contribute to inclusion and equity in higher education.
Overview of the Practical implementation: The application was developed in Android Development Studiousing the Kotlinprogramming language, with FirebaseBackend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform providing services for authentication, data storage, and real-time messaging.
Fig.: Kotlin | Android Studio | Firebase
Key features include:
Email link login (no passwords required)
Personalised academic profiles
Study partner matching using course and location filters
A Messaging system for real-time communication.
Fig: Coding
The project was tested on both emulator and physical Android devices for performance and usability.
Here are some screenshots from the final app up and working
Fig.: Navigation screen
Fig.: Messaging inbox
Fig.: Home screen & News feed
Conclusion: The final product successfully met the core functional goals. Users can register, create a profile, search for study partners, and communicate within the app. Although some features like the community forum were postponed, the application is stable, secure, and ready for future expansion. It represents a strong foundation for a peer-support platform specifically tailored to women in STEM.
What Career and job role are you hoping to move Into after Graduation? I’m planning to progress onto a Master’s degree and then move into a software engineering role, ideally within a company focused on education technology or socially impactful work.
Top Tips for Students interested in completing a University Degree: Don’t procrastinate. Choose a project that is manageable not just exciting. It’s better to complete something simple and solid than to get stuck in something too complex to finish on your own. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
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For further information on Computing courses at UWTSD, please click-here.
Additional Occupation: Redevelopment Business Director
Q. The organisation you work for?
The BT and EE group is the UK’s largest residential Internet Service Provider, in addition to being the UK’s largest mobile phone network provider.
cc-fig.: BT EE
Additionally, I am the director of my own company, focusing on the redevelopment of properties and converting them into environmentally conscious, sustainable student lets. (Known officially as HMOs, Houses of Multiple Occupation.)
Fig.: Pre-renovation
Fig.: Post-renovation
Q. Which skills learned at University are helpful to you in your job?
As part of my undergraduate degree, I undertook modules such as ‘Managing People and Change’ and ‘Usability Engineering’. These modules provided me with real-world insight into how to lead and manage teams of individuals in my professional career. Additionally, usability engineering directly aided me in developing contemporary business plans and product/marketing strategies.
Q. What aspects of your job do you enjoy most?
Money.. Jokes aside, there is something incredibly satisfying in helping others achieve heights they once thought impossible. Turning low-confidence, underperforming team members into smiling, highly productive employees helps both the individual and the wider business achieve the goals and targets set before them.
The same satisfaction is directly correlated to the real-estate projects, as turning unloved, dilapidated properties into homes for multiple students allows me not only to see a project develop from its infancy until its final stage, but it also provides high-quality, lower-cost accommodation for individuals who are trying to achieve more for themselves.
Q. What opportunities has University opened up and supported you in pursuing?
Upon my graduation, the university kindly offered me the opportunity to pursue further study, such as PHD Doctoral support, and whilst at this stage I have not taken up this offer, the fact that this is available for high-achieving graduates illustrates how UWTSD is willing to invest and support in home-grown talent.
In addition, the network I built during my time at the university has proved invaluable, with friends who have become Mortgage Brokers (aided in real estate) and Openreach Engineers (Helped in my BT teams roll-out of FTTP in South Wales).
cc-fig.: BT Towers in Swansea (Wales) & London (England)
Q. Do you have any advice for students who would like to start a Career?
Do not be afraid to take risks. Through personal travel, I have visited nations where ‘real’ abject poverty is unavoidable. This reality check gave me a major perspective shift on the country we call home.
We are incredibly lucky to live in a country with such a strong safety net, so if you’re ambitious and have a business idea you really want to try, plan it out properly and then give it a go! Worst case scenario, you’re back where you started. Best case? Skies the limit.
Fig.: Myles Anderson – 12,000ft above Sea-level in Taiwan.
Q. A Quote that sums up your time at the University?
“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda
cc-fig: Yoda (Legendary Jedi Master)
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For more information about Computing courses at UWTSD click-here.
Project Title: Investigating the Technologies available for Guided Tours
The aim of the project was to build a University Tour Application that utilises location-based technologies to provide the user with locational information.
An application was made starting from the bottom up using Java and SQL Server through use of Java Database Connection (JDBC) for both a version 1 console application and a second implementation using a graphical user interface (GUI) that integrated images. The next stage would be to take this to Android Studio to create a mobile application.
The images below show a brief overview of the practical implementation. First, the image below shows the code to create the ‘Room’ database table:
Next, the code below shows data being added to the RoomUsage table.
The first version of the App below displays Room details, an image and QR code.
The image below shows the planned layout for the mobile app, to be developed with Android Studio:
Outcome & conclusion: I am pleased that a working application using JDBC that enables users to search for a room within the SA1 Campus was successfully built. This successfully broadcasts data in relation to the room such as the type of room it is, which department it is in, description of the hardware, equipment and software as well as timetabled sessions in that room. Going forward, my next iteration would be to get the app working in Android Studio and incorporate the use of QR codes via a mobile phone camera.
Top tip/advice for students completing a project: The main bits of advice that I would give to students completing a project is to enjoy it, and to plan your time. You’ll be doing this project for a few months, so base it on something you enjoy or have a particular interest in. If you plan your workload carefully and correctly, you’ll do just fine. Work hard, take the advice from your supervisors, take time to complete each section, and I’m sure you’ll get the grade that you want. I wish you all the best!
A dynamic day of learning, and competition for students and networking for Teachers. The student events are designed to inspire, challenge, and showcase skills in Web Technologies, Cybersecurity, and Network Systems Administration, tailored for Year 12, Year 13, and Further Education students.
Student Team Competitions:
A taster competition event to give an experience to the participants about the competitions and competition environment.
Students who are interested in one or more than one of the below domains are welcome to register. Students will get a taste of the competition with a briefing about competitions followed by a small competitive activity.
Schools/FE’s can register their students who are interested to get a taste on competitions like Web Technologies, Cybersecurity, and Network Systems Administration.
Limited Registrations. First come First Serve. Register immediately.
Taster Sessions for School Students:
Explore Computing (Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, Software, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science), Electronics, and Games Design, Development, Animation, VFX in engaging hands-on sessions.
Cisco Instructors Conference:
A parallel session for Head Teachers, Teachers, Lecturers and Cisco Networking Academy Instructors to share best practices, network, and collaborate.
Event Details: Date: 26th March 2025 Time: 09:30 AM – 02.00 PM. Venue: Swansea Arena
For further information and inquiries, please contact Nitheesh Kaliyamurthy via email: n.kaliyamurthy@uwtsd.ac.uk
For further information about Computing & Computer Science courses at UWTSD Swansea, please click here.
UWTSD Applied Computing Blog 