London Digital Twin Research Centre

By Dr. Ramona Trestian

I recently had the exciting opportunity to present our research on “Enhancing Employability and Engagement in a Student-Centred Learning Environment: Insights from the MDX Internship Scheme” at EDUCON 2025 in London, a leading global conference dedicated to engineering education and innovation. This collaborative work with my colleagues Dr. Homeira Shayesteh, Jack Tims, and Dr. Purav Shah explores how Middlesex University is addressing three of higher education’s most pressing challenges: student employability, engagement, and financial accessibility.

Today’s graduates are expected to enter the workforce with more than just academic knowledge. Employers seek professionals who can solve real-world problems, collaborate effectively, and adapt quickly in fast-changing environments. But socio-economic barriers, lack of experience, and limited access to industry networks often leave students underprepared.

In an increasingly competitive job market, universities must go beyond traditional classroom instruction. Student-centred, employability-focused initiatives like the MDX Internship Scheme not only enhance graduate outcomes but also foster a more inclusive and applied learning environment. This approach is particularly crucial in engineering, where experiential learning, international research, and industry engagement are key to building future-ready professionals. Importantly, the internships also aligned with the MDX Graduate Competency Framework, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the future-facing priorities of Industry 5.0 , that is preparing students to be both technologically agile and human-centric in their approach to innovation.

Presenting at EDUCON 2025 was an enriching experience, offering the chance to connect with fellow educators, researchers, and industry leaders who share a commitment to bridging the gap between academia and the real world.

This initiative, part of the UKIERI-SPARC project “DigIT—Digital Twins for Integrated Transportation Platform”, demonstrates what’s possible when academic institutions reimagine student engagement in practical, scalable, and inclusive ways.

#EDUCON2025 #HigherEducation #Employability #StudentEngagement #DigitalTwins #STEM #Internships #EngineeringEducation

The LDTRC, in collaboration with other departments at Middlesex University are recruiting eight fellows from Vietnam and Indonesia within the scope of our project TECHLEAD – Empowering Future Innovators: Advancing Early Career Researchers through Digital Technologies Leadership.”

The selected ECFs will enjoy an excellent benefit package:

1) Minimum net income of £2,850 monthly

2) Research related expenses up to £10,000 per 12 months (consumables, small equipment, travel and subsistence within the UK, publication costs, or other expenses related directly to the research project)

3) Return airfare, visa, health insurance and NHS surcharge

4) Childcare support (up to £4800 per year)

Research Areas: (but not limited to)

a) Digital twinning for: crisis and resilience, decarbonisation in transport, Net-Zero, environment, healthcare (particularly stroke care), built environments, smart manufacturing, telecommunications, energy grid, and green hydrogen.

b) Next-gen telecommunication networks: Beyond 5G and 6G, and IoT smart solutions.

c) AI and computer vision: AI in telemedicine, AI-powered nature disaster prevention, AI-enabled colour-enhanced systems for early cancer/disease detection management, AI for stroke care, and AI for infectious diseases

d) Quantum computing and cybersecurity: for digital twinning, for 5G and 6G

e) Digital technologies for governance, modelling the damage reducing effects of flood warnings, climate change, water hazards, resilience and wellbeing of communities and key livelihood systems, geomorphological response to flooding

f) Digital technologies and AI to support environmental biotechnology, microorganisms in sustainability, bioengineering, e-waste and household waste treatment and management, circular economy, wastewater surveillance, urban pollutants

g) Robotics and automation

h) Digital twin and AI to support optimisation of cognitive load humans

For more details and how to apply, please see the project weblink.

Date: Thursday 27^th February 2025, Time: 10:00 – 15:30

Location: Room C214, College Building, London Digital Twin Research Centre, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, NW4 4BT

This half-day event brings leading international researchers in model driven DT engineering and 5G/6G to showcase research challenges, current research and applications of Quantum Computing (QC), QC-based Digital Twins, O-RAN, security in O-RAN, and other topics in 5G/6G.  The event is jointly sponsored by EPSRC funding through our UKI-FNI EPSRC pilot project “Q-DTRAN: Feasibility Study of Quantum-based Digital Twin Concept for Security Enhancement in OpenRAN” and the British Council ISPF project “QuanDT: Quantum Computing-Assisted Digital Twinning for Enhanced Open RAN Towards 6G”.

The workshop will feature talks followed by a plenary discussion. While there has been significant research progress and focus on security in O-RAN, this workshop will aim to progress our understanding and designing of quantum-based digital twins that tackles the challenges in O-RAN. The sessions will be particularly suited to those seeking a broader understanding of digital twins, applied quantum computing/mechanics, and O-RAN.

Register for the workshop: Link.

Downloadable version of the programme: Programme

Continue reading “Workshop on Quantum and Digital Twin Technologies for 5G/6G”

Pioneering the Future of Stroke Care

Bali, Indonesia – February 3-4, 2025 – Leading healthcare professionals, researchers, academicians, and technology experts across Indonesia, the UK, and Vietnam are gathering at the ‘Digital Twin for Stroke Care Global Partnership’ Workshop in Bali, Indonesia. Hosted at Aryaduta Hotel Bali, the workshop is a collaboration between Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia, and the London Digital Twin Research Centre, Middlesex University London, UK, supported by DTStroke Care Network under The Academy of Medical Sciences Grant, British Council ISFP Project Grant and British Council Women in STEM Project Grant, to explore the transformative potential of Digital Twin (DT) technology in stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation in Indonesia.

Join our network on Digital Twin for Stroke Care here

Continue reading “Global Experts and Policymakers Convene for Workshop on Digital Twin for Stroke Care in Bali”

The future of wireless communication is being shaped by the potentials of 6G networks, which promise faster speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connectivity to support an array of advanced applications, from autonomous vehicles to smart cities. However, the complexity of these networks poses significant challenges in terms of real-time optimisation, energy efficiency, and security. At the London Digital Twin Research Centre (LDTRC), we are exploring cutting-edge research that combines Quantum Computing (QC) and Digital Twin (DT) technologies to address these challenges in Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture.

O-RAN is an emerging framework that enables a flexible, cost-effective, and open approach to managing wireless networks. Unlike traditional telecom architectures, O-RAN is based on modular, disaggregated components that can be sourced from multiple vendors, increasing adaptability and innovation. However, this modularity also introduces challenges in coordinating real-time operations, optimising resources, and safeguarding data security across diverse systems.

DTs are virtual models that mirror the physical components of a network, allowing for real-time monitoring, simulation, and optimisation. They enable network operators to test “what-if” scenarios, optimise configurations, and predict potential issues without disrupting live operations. When enhanced by QC, DTs become even more powerful, capable of running multiple complex simulations simultaneously and solving optimisation problems at unprecedented speeds.

At LDTRC, we are now leading two projects that explore the integration of QC and DT technologies into O-RAN:

1. 1. Exploring the concept of QC-Based Digital Twin for O-RAN:We will study and explore the concept of QC-Based DT for O-RAN, with collaborations between partners from the UK and India. Learn more about the project here.
   2. Quantum-Enhanced Digital Twin for Secure Open RAN: This collaborative effort with researchers from the UK and Japan explores deeper how Quantum Computing can amplify the capabilities of Digital Twins in O-RAN. By using QC’s computational power, the project seeks to optimise network performance and enhance efficiency. A real-world case study will demonstrate how QC-assisted DTs can transform O-RAN operations, providing tangible benefits for network operators and end-users alike. Find out more about this project here.

These projects highlight LDTRC’s commitment to addressing the most pressing challenges in next-generation telecommunications. By combining the strengths of Digital Twin and Quantum Computing technologies, we aim to deliver practical solutions for O-RAN that are scalable, efficient, and secure.

Stay tuned for updates on these exciting projects!

The LDTRC, in collaboration with other departments at Middlesex University, has secured a British Council ISPF early career fellowships grant to support three fellows from Vietnam in project TECHLEAD – Empowering Future Innovators: Advancing Early Career Researchers through Digital Technologies Leadership.”

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Grants under the British Council ISPF fellowships programme allows fellows to collaborate internationally, and gain access to new research environments, facilities, knowledge, and expertise, to enhance the quality of their research environments and enable them to translate research and innovation into economic and societal benefit.

Continue reading “Grant news and recruitment coming soon”

We are pleased to announce the upcoming 2024 International Stroke Conference, to be held on November 8-9 at the National Convention Centre in Hanoi, Vietnam. This event will unite leading experts from across the globe to share insights and advancements in stroke care and digital health solutions, drawing a huge audience of around 1500 healthcare practitioners, scientists and academics worldwide The conference is part of two significant ISPF collaborative projects funded by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology: the Networking Grant, supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Research Collaborations Grant, supported by the British Council. Join our StrokeDT Network to be updated with the latest news on our project works: https://dtstrokecare.net/.

The projects’ leading partners are the London Digital Twin Research Centre at Middlesex University, VNU University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hanoi Stroke Association and Bach Mai Stroke Centre.  Other partners include University of Oxford and Universitas Mada Gahja (Indonesia).

The conference agenda highlights diverse sessions, including comprehensive stroke care, AI-driven diagnosis and treatment, DT-based stroke prevention strategies, and specialised workshops on pre-hospital stroke emergency response. LDTRC’s own Prof. Huan Nguyen will present on “Digital Twin in Stroke Care,” showcasing the potential of digital twinning to revolutionise stroke intervention and stroke care.

This conference, co-ordinated by our projects’ Vietnam lead, Dr Mai Duy Ton – Head of Department of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases at VNU University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Director of Stroke Centre at BachMai Hospital, President of Hanoi Stroke Association – reflects the ongoing commitment of the UK-Vietnam-Indonesia partnership to strengthen global health systems through cutting-edge technology and collaborative research.

ISC 2024 – Programme or scan this QR code

Continue reading “Upcoming 2024 International Stroke Conference in Hanoi: Advancing Stroke Care through Global Collaboration”

On October 28, 2024, the IEEE Communications Society hosted the first edition of its 2024 Workshop on Emerging 6G Technologies at King’s College London, a significant gathering that brought together leading experts in next-generation communication technologies. The event attracted a diverse group of researchers, industry leaders, and early-career professionals, sparking discussions on innovations in 6G and beyond.

Keynote Sessions & Highlights

The workshop commenced with a welcome address by Prof. Aryan Kaushik from Manchester Metropolitan University, followed by a series of keynote talks from distinguished speakers:

• Goal-Oriented Semantic Communications for 6G – Prof. Yansha Deng, King’s College London
• Key 6G Enabling Technologies – Prof. Huseyin Arslan, Istanbul Medipol University
• Integrated Sensing and Communications – Prof. Christos Masouros, University College London
• Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces – Dr. Vincenzo Sciancalepore, NEC Laboratories Germany
• Non-Terrestrial Networks and Multiple Access for 6G – Prof. Wonjae Shin, Korea University

Continue reading “IEEE Communications Society 2024 Workshop on Emerging 6G Technologies: A Successful First Edition at King’s College London”

Workshop 1
📍Venue: King’s College London, UK
📆Date: October 28, 2024
🎟️Registration: here
🗒️Full program: here

Workshop 2
📍Venue: Middlesex University, London, UK
📆Date: November 22, 2024
🎟️Registration: here
🗒️Full program: here

Core Organizers: Aryan Kaushik, Marco Di Renzo, and Vincenzo Sciancalepore.

Supported by the IEEE ComSoc Emerging Technology Initiative on Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces and its 2024 IEEE ComSoc TC Innovation Support Project, IEEE UK and Ireland Communications Chapter, and London Digital Twin Research Centre. Co-supporters: one6G, The Manchester Metropolitan University, King’s College London, Middlesex University, CNRS Université Paris-Saclay.

We are excited to see all of you there and dive in the 6G discussions! Stay tuned!