London Digital Twin Research Centre

The London Digital Twin Research Centre (LDTRC) had a strong presence at the IEEE International Symposium on Broadband Multimedia Systems and Broadcasting (BMSB) 2025, held in Dublin, Ireland. As one of the leading events in the field, BMSB provided a valuable platform for our researchers and collaborators to showcase their latest innovations at the intersection of Digital Twin (DT), AI, and 6G technologies.

LDTRC and its global research partners presented four peer-reviewed papers, highlighting impactful contributions to the fields of intelligent network management and sustainable urban technologies:

• Dr. Ramona Trestian, Associate Professor at LDTRC, presented:

  • “Dynamic Reinforcement Learning-Driven Digital Twin for Optimised Multimedia Traffic Management in B5G SDN Core Networks”
    This work proposes a reinforcement learning-powered DT framework for dynamic multimedia traffic optimisation in B5G software-defined networks.

• Dr. Ioan-Sorin Comsa, research collaborator from the Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences, presented:

  • “Learning to Mine: Integrating Channel Quality Patterns for Enhanced AI-Assisted Scheduling Decisions in 6G Multimedia Networks”

  • “FAIR-Q: Fairness and Adaptive Intelligent Resource Management with QoS Optimization in Dynamic 6G Radio Access Networks”
    These studies explore how AI models can boost fairness and efficiency in 6G multimedia scheduling and resource allocation.

• Prof. Hrishikesh Venkataraman, research collaborator from the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Sri City, presented:

  • “Leveraging Digital Twin Technology for Traffic Optimization: A Pathway to Sustainable Urban Transportation”
    This research applies DTs to simulate and optimise urban traffic flows, contributing to smart, sustainable mobility systems.

🏆 Best Student Paper Award

We are proud to announce that our PhD students received the Best Student Paper Award for their outstanding work on:

“Dynamic Reinforcement Learning-Driven Digital Twin for Optimised Multimedia Traffic Management in B5G SDN Core Networks”

This recognition celebrates the excellence of our early-career researchers and reinforces LDTRC’s role in nurturing innovative talent.

🎤 Keynote Address by Prof. Huan X. Nguyen

A major highlight was the keynote delivered by Prof. Huan X. Nguyen, Director of LDTRC, titled:

“Digital Twin for 6G Networks: Enabling Open RAN and Smart IIoT Applications”

Prof. Nguyen explored how Digital Twins are poised to transform 6G network design by enabling Open RAN architectures, predictive management, and autonomous optimisation. The talk also addressed use cases such as smart factories, precision agriculture, and infrastructure monitoring, emphasising the role of AI in scaling DT solutions and delivering intelligent connectivity to society.

🤝 Acknowledgment

This research was carried out as part of the UKIERI-SPARC project ‘DigIT’ [Grant ID: UKIERI-SPARC/01/23], was partly supported by the EPSRC UK-India Future Networks Initiative project ‘Q-DTRAN‘ [Grant ID: EP/W016524/1] and partly supported by the British Council’s ISPF Japan project ‘QuanDT‘

IEEE BMSB 2025 marked another milestone for LDTRC in shaping the future of digital infrastructure through research, collaboration, and innovation. We look forward to sharing more progress as we continue advancing Digital Twin technology for intelligent, resilient, and sustainable systems.

 

by Dr. Homeira Shayesteh

It was a privilege to present three papers at IEEE EDUCON 2025 in London, each highlighting a core commitment of my work: embedding sustainability in engineering education, creating inclusive and meaningful learning environments, and empowering students through real-world opportunities.

The first paper, “Integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into Engineering Education: A Practical Framework for Developing Future Leaders in Sustainability”, received the Best Paper Award; an honour that was both humbling and deeply affirming. As a solo-authored contribution, the paper reflects not just academic rigour but a strong personal commitment to advancing sustainability within engineering education. The core of the paper is a practical and adaptable framework designed to embed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) across engineering curricula, encouraging institutions to reframe technical education with an ethical and global perspective.

The recognition highlighted the growing urgency and appetite for actionable strategies that move sustainability from the periphery into the heart of engineering education and practice. It also reinforced the idea that engineers of the future must be prepared not only to solve problems but to do so within a framework of planetary and social responsibility.

Beyond the accolade, the experience was energising in the way it sparked meaningful dialogue with peers and educators from around the world. It has already led to opportunities to collaborate, share best practices, and refine the framework based on feedback and new research. I see this as not just a professional milestone, but a turning point in how I approach curriculum development, prioritising systems thinking, cross-disciplinary learning and long-term societal impact.

The second paper, “The MDX Living Pavilion – Making a Collaborative, Sustainable Learning and Wellbeing Space on Campus”, was co-authored with Tong Yang, Kate Fregene, Paul Beaty-Pownall, Shahrokh Zandi, Mehmet Karamanoglu, and Zuzana Botkova. It focused on the creation of a co-designed, interdisciplinary space on campus that acts as a living lab, fostering sustainable thinking, promoting wellbeing, and engaging students as active participants in shaping their learning environments. The Pavilion is more than a physical structure; it is a pedagogical approach that makes sustainability visible and experiential.

The third paper, “Enhancing Employability and Engagement in a Student-Centred Learning Environment: Insights from the MDX Internship Scheme”, co-authored with Ramona Trestian, Jack Tims and Purav Shah, examined the impact of real-world, structured internship experiences on student confidence, engagement and graduate outcomes. We explored how mentoring, reflective practice and interdisciplinary collaboration can significantly enrich learning and support a smoother transition into the professional world.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to share these projects, and even more inspired by the global community of educators pushing the boundaries of what teaching and learning can achieve. The conference reinforced that education when rooted in purpose and partnership, can be a powerful agent of change.

#EDUCON2025 #EngineeringEducation #BestPaperAward #Sustainability #PedagogicResearch #HigherEducation #StudentExperience #MDX

(London, UK – 20 June 2025) The London Digital Twin Research Centre (LDTRC) hosted a Hybrid International Workshop on Stroke Care under the theme: “Shaping the Future of Data-Driven, Patient-Centred Services in Stroke Care.” The event brought together international researchers, clinicians, and institutional leaders from the UK, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Taiwan, as part of the Digital Twin Stroke Care Network, a global initiative committed to advancing stroke prevention, service delivery, and rehabilitation using artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twin technologies.

The workshop is supported by the StrokeDT grant (the British Council’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) Research Collaborations Programme) and the DT for Stroke Care  (networking grant by the Academy of Medical Sciences) and follows successful sessions previously held in Vietnam and Indonesia. This London edition continued the mission of connecting science, clinical care, and policy to transform stroke care systems worldwide.

Opening remarks were delivered by Prof. Balbir Barn, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Middlesex University, Prof. Huan X Nguyen, Director of the London Digital Twin Research Centre (LDTRC), Prof. Dao Xuan Co (Director, Bach Mai Hospital), and Prof. Le Ngoc Thanh (President, VNU University of Medicine and Pharmacy).

The workshop featured two panel discussions:

Panel 1: Stroke Burden and AI Opportunities in Global Health, featuring insights from:

• • Prof. Arjune Sen (Centre for Global Epilepsy, University of Oxford)
  • Dr. Mai Duy Ton (Bach Mai Stroke Centre, Vietnam)
  • Dr. Lutfan Lazuardi (Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia)

Panel 2: Data-Driven Stroke Innovation, with contributions from:

• • Dr. Rebecca Fisher (SSNAP, NHS England)
  • Dr. Melanie Fleming (University of Oxford)
  • Dr. Wahbi El-Bouri, University of Liverpool
  • Dr. Huy Phan and Dr. Minh Tran (University of Oxford)

A major highlight of the day was the MoU signing ceremony, formalising a multilateral collaboration among: London Digital Twin Research Centre, Middlesex University; Centre for Global Epilepsy, University of Oxford; Bach Mai Hospital, Vietnam; and VNU University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam

The signing was witnessed by His Excellency Do Minh Hung, Ambassador of Vietnam to the United Kingdom, alongside Professor Janet Jones, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Research and Knowledge Exchange, and Professor Balbir Barn, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Continue reading “Global Workshop on Stroke Care and MoU Signing Marks Key Milestone for AI and Digital Twin Collaboration in Health”

As part of the activities from the British Council ISPF Research Collaborations Programme, a delegation from the London Digital Twin Research Centre (LDTRC) and South East Asian parnters, led by Professor Huan X Nguyen, conducted a strategic site visit to the University of Oxford to explore the ongoing collaboration opportunities in stroke care, digital health, and neurology.

The delegation included leading health professionals and academic partners from Southeast Asia:

• Prof. Le Ngoc Thanh, President, VNU University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam
• Prof. Dao Xuan Co, Director, Bach Mai Hospital, Vietnam
• Dr. Mai Duy Ton, Director, Bach Mai Stroke Centre, Vietnam
• Dr. Annisa Ristya Rahmanti, Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia (currently a postdoctoral researcher at LDTRC)

 

The visit commenced with a meeting hosted by Professor Sir Peter Horby at the Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine. Discussions centered around interdisciplinary collaborations at the intersection of AI, data science, and global health.

Following a working lunch at Wolfson College, the delegation attended a seminar with senior neurologists at the John Radcliffe Hospital, including Professor Arjune Sen, Director of the Centre for Global Epilepsy, and Dr. Minh Cong Tran, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford. The seminar highlighted Oxford’s acute stroke services and translational research efforts.

The delegation presented ongoing work from the Digital Twin Stroke Care Network, including the development of AI-based stroke care models and policy-relevant use cases. During the seminar, the Oxford University Hospital team shared their experiences in acute stroke pathway (FAST), regional stroke service planning, thrombectomy service and referral systems, and the integration of AI technologies such as Brainomix 360 Stroke (the largest stroke AI network in the UK, serving over 9 million patients). The implementation of Brainomix at Oxford has led to a +280% increase in thrombectomies performed (from 93 to 256 cases) and a 1.6x improvement in functional independence (patients achieving modified Rankin Scale scores of 0–2 increased from 34% to 55%). The Oxfordshire TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack) service was also presented as a regional model of excellence.

The group later toured the acute stroke and neurology wards, followed by a visit to the Oxford Robotics Institute, where discussions centred on how robotic systems and neurotechnology can support stroke recovery and rehabilitation..

(London, 18 June 2025) We are proud to share that Professor Huan Nguyen, Director of the London Digital Twin Research Centre (LDTRC), delivered an invited talk at the IET Space & Communications Week 2025, held at the IET London: Savoy Place.

 

This annual landmark event brought together three major conferences under one roof – 6G and Future Technologies, the International Satcoms Conference, and the Quantum Engineering and Technologies Conference (QET) – offering a unique platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and innovation.

Prof. Nguyen’s talk, titled “Quantum-based Digital Twin for Open RAN”, introduced emerging research that sits at the intersection of quantum engineering, AI, and next-generation wireless systems. He presented the initial outcomes from two ongoing international collaborations:

• • The UK–Japan Quantum Digital Twin for Open RAN Project, supported by the British Council’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF). Read more »

  • The EPSRC Quantum-Inspired Framework for Future Network Intelligence (UKI-FNI) project. Read more »

The talk showcased how quantum computing principles – such as entanglement, superposition, and quantum-inspired optimisation – can revolutionise the creation of real-time, adaptive digital twins for Open RAN, enhancing resilience, interoperability, and efficiency in future communication networks. By integrating quantum-inspired algorithms into digital twin architectures, these projects aim to tackle key challenges in scalable, secure, and intelligent network orchestration – particularly in disaster-prone and remote environments where dynamic reconfiguration is critical.

The invitation to speak at this high-profile event recognises LDTRC’s leadership in pioneering research across Digital Twins, 6G, and Quantum-Enabled Systems, and highlights the growing international momentum behind these collaborations.

For more information about the programme, visit the official IET Space & Communications Week website

(Swansea, UK – June 2025) Researchers from the London Digital Twin Research Centre recently participated in the DTNet+ Conference hosted by Swansea University, held on 16-17 June 2025. This event brought together academic, clinical, and industrial leaders to co-develop a national roadmap for digital twin research and applications.

The LDTRC team was represented by Dr. Annisa Ristya Rahmanti, a research fellow under the British Council ISPF Research Collaborations Programme, alongside visiting British Council ISPF early career researchers from Taiwan, Ms. Sophie Chien and Dr. Guan-Lin Liu. Their attendance highlighted the Centre’s expanding global partnerships and commitment to exploring interdisciplinary digital twin innovation in healthcare and cultural heritage.

The two-day conference focused on deepening collaboration across DTNet+’s special interest groups (SIGs), including:

1. 1. Uncertainty and Trust (Chriss Burr)
   2. Scaling of Digital Twins (Jonathan Eyre)
   3. Design & Implementation of Digital Twins (John Oyekan)
   4. Societal Impacts (Jennifer Schooling)
   5. Health (Dewar Finlay)
   6. Languages, Logic & Ontologies for Digital Twins design, interoperability and analysis (LLODIA) (Steffen Zschaler)
   7. Human Interaction and Representation  (Saeema Ahmed-Kristensen)
   8. Resilience and Security (Andrew Peck)

Day 1 featured keynotes on the SAIL Databank, a comprehensive health and social data infrastructure in the UK, and on the ongoing development of ISO standards for digital twin systems. Participants worked to align SIG priorities with national strategic objectives and discussed the upcoming transition of DTNet+ leadership from The Alan Turing Institute to the University of Sheffield. It was also announced that the next call for pilot projects will be deferred to 2026 to allow for further consolidation and reflection on current initiatives.

Continue reading “DTNet+ Conference in Swansea”

We are delighted to announce the Hybrid International Workshop on Stroke Care, hosted by the London Digital Twin Research Centre at Middlesex University, in collaboration with leading institutions from the UK, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

🗓 Date: Friday, 20 June 2025
🕣 Time: 08:30 AM – 14:00 PM (UK Time)
📍 Location: Room C115, 1F, College Building, Middlesex University London (Hybrid format)

This workshop is part of the Digital Twin Stroke Care Network, a global initiative to drive innovation in stroke prevention, service delivery, and rehabilitation through the application of artificial intelligence and digital twin technologies. The workshop is also part of the StrokeDT grant (under the British Council ISPF Research Collaborations programme) .

Following successful sessions in Vietnam and Indonesia, the London workshop continues the mission of connecting researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to advance global stroke care solutions.

🎟 Register here: bit.ly/WorkshopDTStrokeLondon
🌐 More info: www.dtstrokecare.net

We warmly invite healthcare professionals, researchers, students, and policy stakeholders to join us, either in person or online, for this exciting and impactful event.

📣 Please share this event with anyone in your network who may be interested.

Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 3-4 May 2025 – As part of the Digital Twin Stroke Care Network and StrokeDT project activities, two landmark events were successfully held in Indonesia: a Networking Session (3 May) and a Hybrid Workshop & Visiting Professor Programme (4 May) hosted by Department of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada and supported by The London Digital Twin Research Centre, Middlesex University London and Bach Mai Hospital Vietnam. 

  The Network brings together researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders to drive innovation, share best practices, and foster interdisciplinary partnerships across the UK, Vietnam, and Indonesia. These May events mark an important step in strengthening regional cooperation and accelerating the use of AI-driven digital twins in stroke care.

Continue reading “Visiting Professor Programme Strengthens AI-Driven Digital Twin Collaboration for Stroke Prevention”

London Digital Twin Research Centre is proud to present four Special Awards at 2025 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2025) Special Awards Ceremony in recognition of outstanding high-school student projects that reflect our core mission: to advance science, technology, and sustainability through innovation and inclusivity.  The ISEF 2025 is organised from May 10-16, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio, USA, celebrating ISEF’s 75^th anniversary. It is a celebration of vision, passion, and the boundless potential of young scientific minds from around the world.

Our Centre is dedicated to advancing cutting-edge technologies for the digital transformation of real-world environments and shaping a future where technologies help us better understand, simulate, and improve the real world – from health sciences to sustainable futures. And while we celebrate innovation at every level, we are especially committed to supporting and uplifting the work of young researchers from underrepresented and underserved regions – places where science and technology too often play catch-up to the developed world.

This year, we are delighted to honour the following categories:

1. 1. The Biomedical Engineering Excellence Award – $1,000: Presented to a project that demonstrates outstanding innovation in the application of engineering principles to advance medical devices, diagnostics, or therapeutic systems.
   2. ⁠The Sustainable Futures Award – $1,000: Awarded to a visionary project that proposes transformative, science-based solutions for building a more sustainable and equitable future – whether in environmental, social, or technological domains.
   3. ⁠The Innovative Materials & Biochemistry Award – $1,000: This award honours a project that creatively integrates materials science with biochemical approaches to address real-world challenges in medicine, energy, or the environment.
   4. ⁠The Health Sciences Discovery Award – $2,000: This award recognises impactful research in the health sciences that deepens our understanding of disease mechanisms, treatment strategies, or patient care solutions

These awards are a tribute to the determination, creativity, and global perspective that this new generation of researchers brings to the challenges we all share.

Update: List of winners here; and video of the award presentation here (from 1:06:12 to 1:08:30).

 

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

Continue reading “Bridging Academia and Employability: Reflections from EDUCON 2025”