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 behindthe 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.
Many thanks to Adam Curtis (CEO of Hoowla) & Edd Turtle (Senior Software Developer at Hoowla) for recently visiting UWTSD’sSchool of Applied Computing to share industry insights, emerging trends and many top enterprising tips. The talk was thoroughly enjoyed by staff and students alike.
Fig.: Hoowla
Hoowla is a Legal Technology (LegalTech) Company based in Swansea, UK. And provides case management software for Solicitors, Conveyancers & HR.
Adam Curtis (CEO of Hoowla)
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.
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.
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.
Today’s blog post features 2 inspiring UWTSD journeys, that show the power of creative and technical education in supporting and transforming peoples lives & futures.
Mia Harries is turning her passion for computer games into a creative career, growing in confidence and industry readiness through hands‑on learning, professional networking, and her long‑standing involvement with Yr Egin.
Meanwhile, Adam Moore has reshaped his career through UWTSD’s Digital Degree Apprenticeship in Computing, progressing from NHS data analyst to an emerging researcher developing AI tools that support clinical decision‑making. Together, their stories showcase how UWTSD empowers learners of all backgrounds to thrive, whether in the world of game design or Computer Science & groundbreaking healthcare innovation.
Mia Harries is turning a passion into a Creative Career. Mia’s time on UWTSD’s BA Computer Game Design course has helped her grow in confidence, creativity, and professional readiness.
Supported by a practical, industry‑focused learning environment, her wide-ranging course experience, combined with meaningful industry contact and her long-standing involvement with Yr Egin – where she has led workshops, built technical skills, and expanded her professional network, has shaped her into a confident emerging game designer. 🎮🎨
Mia now looks ahead to securing a role in a Welsh games studio while continuing freelance work, grateful for the skills, friendships, and guidance that have prepared her for the industry.
Adam Moore, a Data Scientist from Narberth, credits the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Digital Degree Apprenticeship in Computing (Data and Information Systems) with transforming his career and opening the door to advanced work in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and healthcare. While working at Hywel Dda University Health Board, Adam discovered a strong affinity for maths and data, and with encouragement from colleagues, he enrolled in the apprenticeship. This opportunity allowed him to study while working full‑time, supporting his family, and progressing professionally.
Throughout the four‑year programme, Adam successfully balanced academic study with full‑time employment, during which he got married, welcomed two children, and earned three promotions. The apprenticeship equipped him with the skills and confidence to excel in postgraduate study. Now undertaking doctoral research in AI and healthcare, he aims to contribute to innovations that enhance patient care and shape the future of digital health services.
Adam is a strong advocate for UWTSD’s apprenticeship route, praising it’s accessibility and the exceptional support offered by the university. UWTSD leaders emphasise how his journey reflects the programme’s impact across Wales, while colleagues at Hywel Dda describe him as a highly valued staff member whose AI work is already making a meaningful difference in clinical decision‑making.
“I want to play an active role in using AI to revolutionise healthcare and improve patient outcomes,” he said. “The apprenticeship was the foundation that made all of this possible.”
Adam continues to advocate for UWTSD’s Degree Apprenticeship route and encourages others to take advantage of the opportunity.
“It’s an incredible pathway for anyone looking to progress in their career,” he said. “It’s open to professionals of all ages who want to develop their skills and the support from the UWTSD team is exceptional.”
Our staff and students recently enjoyed an engaging and inspiring trip to Yr Egin in Carmarthen.
Yr Egin is a creative and digital hub located on the UWTSD Carmarthen campus, home to the Welsh‑language broadcaster S4C and a wide community of media, arts, and digital businesses. Designed to inspire creativity and nurture new talent, the centre provides state‑of‑the‑art production facilities, hot‑desking spaces, an auditorium, and a programme of cultural and industry events. Since opening in 2018, it has developed into a vibrant venue that supports collaboration between students, professionals, and local creatives while contributing significantly to the regional economy and strengthening the Welsh language through its cultural output.
Exploring Creativity and Careers: UWTSD Computing Visit to Yr Egin, Carmarthen
Recently, UWTSD Computing staff and students travelled to Yr Egin, the vibrant creative and digital centre based on the Carmarthen campus. Home to S4C, production companies, freelancers, and a growing community of digital talent, Yr Egin proved the perfect place for students to gain behind‑the‑scenes insights into animation, media production, education technology, and the realities of working in the creative industries. The day combined inspiring talks from industry professionals, a guided tour of S4C’s facilities, and an opportunity to see how creative ideas evolve from early sketches to polished on‑screen productions.
Twt Productions: Getting Started in the Creative Industries
The first speaker of the day was Siwan Jobbins from Twt Productions, who offered practical guidance for students hoping to break into animation and media. Siwan emphasised the importance of keeping things simple when pitching ideas: if you can’t summarise your concept in one clear sentence, it’s not ready yet. She also stressed how crucial strong visuals and a realistic budget are when presenting a project.
Students were given a useful roundup of upcoming festivals, networking events, and industry platforms—from the Cardiff Animation Festival to tender portals such as S4C Production Tenders, BBC Education Commissioning, and Sell2Wales. For graduates, Siwan encouraged maintaining momentum: keep learning, keep applying, and keep refining your skills. Early in your career, she explained, you may need to give up some rights to get your name out there, but as you gain experience you’ll have more influence and ownership over your work.
Cloth Cat: Craft, Creativity and Career Longevity
Next, the group heard from Jon Rennie of Cloth Cat Animation, whose talk blended humour, honesty, and invaluable advice. Jon reinforced the importance of LinkedIn and social media for building visibility in the industry. He encouraged students to develop original showreels—avoiding overused film clips—and to pay attention to how other animators solve problems under tight budgets. Sometimes, he noted, creativity is about making smart compromises, such as omitting footprints in a snowy scene when deadlines are tight.
Jon urged students to constantly update their skills, be adaptable, and above all be reliable: in animation, meeting deadlines is just as important as artistic flair.
He also shared insights from his project “The Ghost of Midwinter / Ysbryd yr Oerfel,” a bilingual S4C Christmas animation produced in just six months. Students watched how a short sequence developed across four stages: from storyboards, to character animation, to effects, and finally to fully rendered backgrounds. It was a clear, fascinating demonstration of the full animation pipeline.
Inside S4C: Touring the Creative Spaces of Yr Egin
The tour of Yr Egin gave students a glimpse into live studios, editing suites, and the collaborative workspaces used by media professionals. The group met Steffan Rhys Williams, a music producer and composer who has contributed to S4C for more than 20 years. Steffan discussed the realities of composing for television, explaining how he sometimes outsources parts of the process so he can focus on creative direction.
Students also visited the hot‑desking area, which UWTSD graduates can use for six months after completing their studies—a valuable opportunity to network, start freelance work, or collaborate with the industry professionals based in the building.
Antur Amser: Blending Animation, Gaming and Education
The final speaker, Osian Evans, shared insights from Antur Amser, an ambitious educational entertainment project that follows a group of children from the year 2174 who travel back to different eras in Earth’s history. The characters act as a creative gateway into subjects such as science, history, and geography, blending classroom learning with storytelling and interactive media.
Osian explained the iterative design process behind the characters and emphasised the importance of giving animators precise instructions—highlighted by the time a “robot with anti‑gravity technology” accidentally ended up flapping wings because directions were unclear.
He also discussed the balance between gaming and learning, and how using existing platforms like YouTube and Roblox helps reach young audiences more effectively than trying to build entirely new ecosystems. Where possible, the team uses pre‑built assets, reserving bespoke modelling for niche cases—an essential strategy for meeting deadlines and budgets.
Where AI Fits In: Not a Replacement, but a Team Member
Osian also spoke about the role of AI‑assisted animation, emphasising that AI complements human creativity rather than replacing it. While AI can accelerate early drafts, improve workflow capacity, and support low‑budget productions like vodcasts, it is not suitable for areas like scripting. Instead, he described AI as a “first draft collaborator”: useful for rough animation tests before the real artistry begins. Tools such as HeyGen are now commonly used for rapid prototyping, helping creators gather feedback earlier and refine their ideas faster.
A Day of Inspiration and Industry Insight
The visit to Yr Egin offered our Computing students a rich, realistic look at the creative industries—highlighting both the opportunities available and the hard work and adaptability required to thrive in them. From pitching and production pipelines to character design and the role of AI, the day showcased the many pathways open to students interested in animation, digital creativity, and media technology.
Most importantly, the trip demonstrated just how connected UWTSD students are to Wales’ creative sector. Yr Egin isn’t just a building—it’s a collaborative hub where ideas grow, careers begin, and the next generation of digital storytellers can find their place.
We would like thank all the staff and industry experts from Yr Egin who made the day so enjoyable and inspiring for us all. Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi.
Many thanks to David Jones (Consultant) and Geraint Williams (Director of Mission Control) from Fujitsu for recently visiting the University and speaking with our students.
Geraint Williams (right) & David Jones (left)
The talk titled ‘Digital Trends‘ covered the incredible rapid innovation and evolution of Technology that has brought about an incredible transformation and digitization of society. Highlighting significant historical and current innovations, positive impacts, and emerging trends & technologies, challenges and future impacts. A whistle stop tour of the digital landscape: past, present and future. A fascinating talk enjoyed by all, staff and students alike.
“Our Digital Trends talk, delved into the multifaceted impact of digitalisation on society, business, and daily life. It highlights key themes such as the integration of technology into everyday activities, the challenges of digital transformation, lifestyle shifts driven by digital innovation, and future trends including Robotics, AI, and Quantum Computing. Additionally, it introduces the concept of Human Centric Design and describes a workshop where participants tackle the ethical integration of Generative AI in organisations, focusing on creating value while mitigating risks such as misinformation and bias”. – David Jones (Guest Speaker from Fujitsu)
David went on to explain that the Digital Trends talk explored the ongoing digital transformation shaping society, business, and daily life. And that it’s purpose is to inform and inspire audiences about the profound impact of digitalisation, the benefits and challenges it brings, and the emerging trends that will define the future.
Key Themes Covered:
Digitalisation of Society: Examines how technology is blending virtual and physical environments, transforming commerce, education, finance, health, and communication. Highlighting the benefits of efficiency, global connectivity, economic growth, and access to information, while also addressing the importance of security and trust in digital systems.
Challenges of Digital Transformation: Discusses digital inequality, job displacement, ethical considerations (such as AI bias and privacy), cybersecurity threats, and the need for robust digital infrastructure. The content emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, ethical technology use, and collaboration among stakeholders to address these challenges.
Digital Living – Lifestyle Shifts: Explores how digital technologies have revolutionized the way we interact, work, consume, and manage our lives, from remote work and smart homes to online communities, e-learning, and digital entertainment.
Future Trends: Looks ahead to transformative innovations such as Robotics and AI, Quantum Computing, Cashless Societies, Extended Reality, Bionics & Cybernetics, and Regenerative approaches to society and energy and risks associated with these advancements, including ethical, economic, and societal implications.
Human Centric Design: Introduces a unique design thinking methodology focused on aligning business challenges with human needs, fostering creativity, and developing rapid, actionable solutions.
The Human Centric Design workshop provided students with a Challenge Statement: How can organisations harness Generative AI to create value for customers while preventing misinformation, bias, and intellectual property risks. It gave the students an opportunity to consider the introduction of AI into a company’s ecosystem and how they can work together to ideate and reach a consensus on what the key features and challenges are for ethical AI solutions.
“It was a pleasure to return to the place where it all began for me and give something back. I genuinely enjoyed the preparations, creation and delivery of both the talk and workshop and it was good to see the next generation of industry experts beginning their journey, there is much ahead of them, change is accelerating at a pace like we have never seen…” – David Jones
“Great to be back at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) today speaking with first year Computing students. As a former student of the university, it’s special to return to the place that set me up for success and share the lessons I’ve learned along the way e.g. stay curious, build your network, and keep evolving/adapting – the technology industry never stands still!” – Geraint Williams
The Academic staff at UWTSD’s School of Applied Computing would like to thank David & Geraint for taking the time to come back to the University and share their invaluable experience, industry knowledge and insights. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
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.
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.
This week, Nagaraj Ravinuthala, a DevOps trainer at HCL Technologies Limited and a specialised trainer for WorldSkills UK Squad on Infrastructure Automation, delivered a Guest Lecture on Network Automation and CI/CD to our students.
The lecture began with basic yet powerful concepts of deployment and CI/CD, connecting the dots between writing code, integrating APIs, and automating the process of pushing updates live. The session emphasized simplicity and clarity, presenting CI/CD as a pipeline that automates code testing, integration, and deployment to production environments.
“Think of CI/CD as a conveyor belt for your code,” explained Nagaraj. “You write it, test it, and deploy it—all in a streamlined process that ensures faster delivery and better reliability, which are essential in modern network automation workflows.”
Students were introduced to tools and techniques aligned with Cisco’s CCNA DevNet, providing a glimpse into industry-standard practices. To make deployment relatable, the lecturer drew parallels with the earlier lectures on Python and API during their Network Programmability Module where the students integrated the OpenWeather API creating and running a Python script, and explaining that deployment involves taking code that works locally and making it accessible to users.
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where students enthusiastically asked about real-world applications of network automation and the career paths that mastery in CI/CD can unlock.
This guest lecture was an eye-opening experience for students, sparking curiosity and laying the foundation for further exploration in network automation. It was a step toward preparing them for the evolving demands of the industry.
We would like to thank Nagaraj Ravinuthala for taking time to speak and share valuable industry knowledge with our students.
For further information about our courses, please click-here.
Q. Project title: Detection of fusarium head blight on wheat spikelets using a multi-scale feature fusion CNN model.
Q. Introduction/rationale: The motivation for choosing this project stems from the significant impact of fusarium head blight (FHB) on wheat production, which poses a threat to global food security. By leveraging advanced artificial intelligence techniques, this project aims to develop a robust detection system that can assist farmers in early identification of FHB, ultimately contributing to better crop management and yield optimization.
Q. Overview of the practical implementation:
Data Collection: Acquiring a dataset of wheat spikelet images, both healthy and affected by FHB.
Figure 1: Dataset Samples
Model Development: Designing a multi-scale feature fusion convolutional neural network (CNN) to analyze the images. Built on the advanced YOLOv9 framework, the model incorporates a Multi-Scale Feature Enhancement and Fusion (MSFEF) module, which plays a critical role in extracting and dynamically enhancing features from various scales. To enhance computational efficiency, as shown in Figure 2, optimized convolutional layers such as RepNCSPELAN and DWConv are used, reducing the overall computational load while maintaining high detection performance.
Figure 2: Proposed network overview
Training and Testing: The model was trained on the dataset using techniques like data augmentation (Mosaic) to enhance its robustness. Testing was conducted to evaluate accuracy and performance.
Figure 3: Training batch samples
Deployment: The final model can be integrated into a user-friendly application for real-time detection, offering researchers and farmers an efficient tool for early disease detection and management.
Figure 4: Model predictions
Q. Overview of outcome/conclusion:
The project successfully demonstrated that the proposed multi-scale feature fusion CNN model can accurately detect fusarium head blight in wheat spikelets, achieving an accuracy of over 90%, which highlights the potential of AI-driven solutions in agriculture, paving the way for future advancements in plant disease management and crop monitoring.
Q. What Career and job role are you hoping to move into after graduation?
After graduation, I aspire to work as a machine learning engineer, focusing on applying AI in agricultural technology. My goal is to contribute to innovations that enhance food security and sustainability through smart farming practices.
Q. Please share a top tip/advice for students who are interested in completing a University Degree?
One essential piece of advice is to stay curious and actively engage with your coursework beyond the classroom. Seek out projects, internships, and collaborative opportunities that apply your knowledge in real-world contexts. Building a strong network and gaining practical experience will significantly enhance learning and career prospects.
For further information about Computing courses at UWTSD, please click-here.
UWTSD Applied Computing Blog 