Oxford, United Kingdom (24 June 2026) – The London Digital Twin Research Centre (LDTRC), Middlesex University London, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, successfully convened the international workshop “Advancing Stroke Care and Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Through Responsible AI and Digital Innovation” at Corpus Christi College, Oxford.
The workshop also marked the official launch of the UK–Indonesia–Vietnam Transnational Education (TNE) Partnership, supported by the British Council Going Global Partnerships (GGP) Programme (https://dt.mdx.ac.uk/?p=3152), while showcasing ongoing collaborative research funded through the British Council International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) – StrokeDT (https://dt.mdx.ac.uk/?page_id=326). Bringing together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, educators, and students from the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Vietnam, the event explored how responsible artificial intelligence (AI), digital innovation, and international collaboration can strengthen health systems, improve stroke care, and accelerate progress in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Opening the event, Prof. Arjune Sen, Consultant Neurologist at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Director of the Centre for Global Epilepsy, welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of international collaboration in addressing the growing global burden of neurological disorders and other non-communicable diseases.
Participants were also welcomed by Thareq Barasabha, President of the Indonesian Student Association in Oxford (PPI Oxford), who highlighted the role of students and early-career researchers in strengthening academic exchange, innovation, and international collaboration between the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
The programme commenced with an introduction to the newly established UK–Indonesia–Vietnam TNE initiative and a showcase of ongoing ISPF-supported research collaborations (here and here), delivered by Prof. Huan X. Nguyen (Middlesex University London) and Prof. Mai Duy Ton (Bach Mai Hospital, Vietnam). The presentation outlined the shared vision of strengthening education, research, and innovation in digital health, artificial intelligence, and stroke care across partner institutions in the three countries.
In his keynote presentation, Prof. Arjune Sen discussed the role of health policy and international partnerships in sustainably improving brain health in the era of the World Health Organization’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP). He emphasised the need for collaborative approaches that connect research, clinical practice, and policymaking to address the growing burden of neurological conditions worldwide.
The workshop also addressed the ethical dimensions of emerging digital technologies in healthcare. Prof. Caesar Atuire, Co-Director of Oxford Global Health, examined the ethical use and governance of artificial intelligence in health systems, highlighting the importance of transparency, accountability, and equity in the development and implementation of AI-enabled solutions.
The transformative potential of artificial intelligence in clinical practice was further explored by Prof. Paul Taylor, Director of UCL’s UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI-enabled Healthcare. His presentation highlighted recent advances in AI-powered medical imaging and their potential to support earlier diagnosis, personalised treatment, and precision care for cancer and chronic diseases.
The final keynote speaker, Prof. Yodi Mahendradhata, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Indonesia, delivered a thought-provoking presentation entitled “From Innovation to Justice: Digital Technologies, Power, and NCD Prevention in LMICs.” He discussed how digital transformation in healthcare must be accompanied by careful consideration of equity, governance, and social justice to ensure that technological advances benefit all populations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in discussions on digital health transformation, AI governance, health policy, clinical decision support systems, medical imaging, workforce development, and future opportunities for international collaboration. These themes reflected the growing importance of interdisciplinary and cross-sector partnerships in addressing complex health challenges.
The workshop concluded with an academic networking session that brought together participants from universities, healthcare organisations, research institutions, and government partners. The session was attended by Prof. Ova Emilia, Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, and Prof. dr. Gandes Retno Rahayu, MMedEd, PhD, Director of Directorate Education and Teaching UGM, who joined discussions on future educational partnerships, joint research initiatives, student mobility opportunities, and capacity-building activities under the UK–Indonesia–Vietnam partnership framework. The event represents an important milestone in strengthening collaboration between the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Vietnam in the fields of digital health, artificial intelligence, and non-communicable disease prevention.
Finally, the event also allowed the fellows within the British Council funded early career fellowship programmes at Middlesex University, TECHLEAD and FUSION, to join and engage as part of their training programmes.
