Techdragons interviewed Prof Alan Dix, Director of the Computational Foundry'

The Computational Foundry will see it become a world-leading centre of technology research and development.

Tech Dragons recently caught up with Alan Dix, who runs the foundry. He speaks about how the multi-million pound development is progressing and its aims.

'Dell EMC Powers High Performance Computing at HPC Wales'

Inside HPC reported from the ISC High Performance 2018 videoing Prof Biagio Lucini from Swansea University describing how Dell EMC is working with Supercomputing Wales on advanced computing projects including the Bloodhound Supersonic car.

'According to new research the UK’s biggest financial institutions are falling short of using the latest online banking security protocols and encryption standards'

According to new research by Edward Wall, a Swansea University computer science student, top financial institutions such as TSB, HSBC, Bank of Scotland, and Scottish Widows haven’t updated their websites to use the latest encryption standards for online banking security required by the financial services industry.

'Medical devices need better data collection, IT expert says'

In an interview with the BBC, Computer Science Professor Harold Thimbleby from Swansea University, says that medical device errors could be contributing to dozens of patient deaths in Wales each year.

Thimbleby has examined hundreds of medical devices and has found issues with them all of them.

'Swansea University Researchers Awarded £908K to Develop Self-Powered Internet of Things Devices'

Scientists and engineers at Swansea University have been awarded a research grant by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) that will see them explore highly novel forms of physical photovoltaic (PV) tiles that can be placed on buildings, objects and even clothes.

'£1.2m for Welsh Universities to crack the code'

Two Welsh universities are to receive £1.2m to support their involvement in the UK-wide Institute of Coding helping create the next generation of digital specialists, Cabinet Secretary for Education Kirsty Williams will announce today.

Cardiff and Swansea Universities will benefit from the funding, allocated by HEFCW, which will include £200,000 to support coding initiatives in schools, colleges and universities.

'Learned Society of Wales welcomes 42 New Fellows'

Prof Biagio Lucini, Head of Mathematics Dept at the Computational Foundry, been elected Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales

Outstanding scientists, eminent academics and celebrated professionals join Wales’s National Academy.

This was also reported by the London Mathematical Society.

EPSRC Staff Profile: Dr Katie Blaney

In this blog post, Dr Blaney mentions that researchers in the Department of Mathematics at Swansea University have developed novel geometric methods for image processing, feature extraction and shape interrogation. The research has delivered commercial and clinical impact in a variety of settings, ranging from new water marking techniques to improve piracy detection in the film industry, to medical research investigating the replacement of traditional CT scans with safer MRI scans.

South Wales Evening Post reported in March 2018

'The day Stephen Hawking came to Swansea'

Following the death of Professor Stephen Hawking a former Swansea University lecturer has spoken of the time he welcomed him to the city.

Professor Hawking visited the Mathematics Department at Swansea University on 30 June 1984, and gave the inaugural lecture at the Taliesin Arts Centre, before asking: "So, where's the party?"

European Pharmaceutical Review reported in February 2018

'£54 million funding to transform health through data science'

Swansea University has been made one of six substantive sites of the newly-formed Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) to address challenging healthcare issues through use of data science. This was also reported in Insurancenewsnet.com (USA), WIREDGOV, The Western Mail and South Wales Evening Post

Initiative Mittelstand (DEU) reported in February 2018 

Former Engineering and Mathematics graduate from Swansea University, Gareth Burton, has been named a member of the Supervisory Board by Think Project!, a leading construction and engineering provider.

Think project! Founded in 2000, is a cross-enterprise collaboration and information management cloud solution tailored to the needs of construction and engineering projects.

SI News reported in February 2018

'5 leading UK Computer Science Schools'

The Computational Foundry's Computer Science department was named in this article;

The Department of Computer Science at the University of Swansea has a number of research programmes in data-centric computing, semantics of specification and programming languages, as well as formal methods for designing software and hardware, visual and interactive computing, future interaction technologies, and the social impact of science and technology.

The Independent reported in February 2018

'NHS computer problems could be to blame for ‘hundreds of deaths’, academics claim'

The Independent reported that Harold Thimbleby, Professor of Computer Science at the Computational Foundry, Swansea University has said that computer problems in the NHS could be blamed for hundreds of deaths. This was also reported in Austria News Topix (AUT), Cetusnews (USA), Yahoo News (Canada), Bailiwick Express (USA), Keighley News, Telegraph, The Times, Independent, Mailonline, Express and Star and AOL 

Construction news reported in January 2018

 'Precast concrete de-risks Swansea research lab'

The ‘Computational Foundry’, as the university’s head of college of science Matt Jones describes it, will benefit “not just Wales but the entire world”.

With such grand plans for the £31m facility, a Willmott Dixon project team is focused on bringing the scheme home ready for its first wave of research scientists and students in September 2018.

Techdragons reported in January 2018

'Swansea Uni computer science graduate’s project helps stock market traders'

A 23-year-old computer science student, who developed an innovative solution for stock market traders, has received a top MSc degree from Swansea University. During the degree programme, he completed a range of projects demonstrating his passion for visual computing. In his final year, he designed a platform game.

Dr Ben Mora praised his work, saying: “An excellent student, possibly one of the best I have seen in recent years. He is highly committed and a hardworking programmer”.

Walesonline reported in December 2017 

'The hi-tech sci-fi revolution coming to Welsh schools which will transform how our children are taught'

Staff at Swansea University's Computational Foundry, part of the University's College of Science, with support from Swansea Academy of Learning and Teaching, invested in a suite of Microsoft HoloLens headsets which can project three-dimensional virtual holograms.

Monmouthsire Beacon reported on December 2017 

'Usk pupils crack the winning code'

PUPILS from Usk Church in Wales Primary School won thousands of pounds worth of IT equipment in the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) national coding competition.

The judges were DVLA Chief Executive Oliver Morley, Professor Faron Moller (Computer Science department at Swansea University), leader of Swansea Council Rob Stewart, STEM ambassador coordinator for Wales Sian Ashton and DVLA chief technology officer Dave Perry.

Premier Construction reported in October 2017

'Local Cardiff Contractor supports build of Innovative New Building at Swansea University'

Welsh aluminium fabricator Dudley’s Aluminium is supporting the construction of the new Computational Foundry Building at Swansea University, in partnership with Willmott Dixon Construction Limited. 

Dudley’s will work on the Computational Foundry project, which will help to transform Swansea, West Wales, the Valleys and the nation, into a global destination for computational scientists, drawing people from across the globe to study and work in Wales.

Publicnow (AU) reported in September 2017

 'Computational Foundry Partners with Google and Microsoft to Sponsor Leading International Technology Conference'

Swansea University's new Computational Foundry was proud to sponsor theis year's ACM Mobile HCI Conference along with Google and Microsoft.

The Mobile HCI 2017 Conference, held this year in Vienna, had over 220 attendees from 17 countries, with 29% from industry including Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Yahoo, IBM, Vodafone, LG, HTC, Samsung and BMW.

CLICK HERE for our Press release on this story

Walesonline reported in August 2017

'How Swansea is preparing for 10,000 new jobs coming with the City Deal'

Prof Matt Jones is head of the College of Science at Swansea University and believes that the university has a crucial role to play in the success of the City Deal.

In what will be a huge boost to the area, Swansea University will be opening a new £31 million world-class Computational Science facility will act as a beacon for research and will look to attract leading researchers to Wales in 2018.

BBC News reported in July 2017

'In Pictures: Swansea Uni's Research as Art 2017 winners'

"Hiding in plain sight: devices that blend into their surroundings" by Simon Robinson, Computer Science, College of Science,won the Award for Inspiration.

Welsh Government reported in June 2017

Projects funded through the 2014-2020 ERDF and ESF Structural Funds Programmes featuring examples of cross cutting theme activity.

Visit the Welsh Government website to see examples of cross-cutting theme activity 2014-2020, including the Computational Foundry infographic.

Business News Wales reported in March 2017

'University welcomes green light for Swansea Bay City Region City Deal'

Swansea University is delighted by the confirmation of funding for the Swansea Bay City Region City Deal – The Internet Coast.

Prime Minister Theresa May visited Swansea University’s Bay Campus, hosted by the School of Management, and held a meeting of Welsh business' and industry to discuss the Government’s Plan for Britain.

Swansea Bay futures reported in February 2017

'Construction starts on Wales' stunning new £31million Computational Foundry'

Professor Richard B Davies, Vice Chancellor of Swansea University said: “The Computational Foundry will be a world-class centre for research within the heart of our magnificent science and innovation Bay Campus, transforming Swansea and Wales as a global destination for computational scientists. It will also provide the most up-to-date and high-quality teaching facilities".

Wales and the Physical Web

Scott Jenson, lead of the Physical Web project at Google US, alongside Professor Matt Jones, Head of College of Science facilitated a 'Physical Web in Wales' day the Senedd in Cardiff in September 2016.

Scott Jenson said, ‘The Physical Web wants to transform how people interact with information and digital services anywhere. I'm excited to be discussing its potential for Wales and to be working with the Computational Foundry and the CHERISH-DE Centre. It's clear that there is so much energy, ambition and talent in Swansea and the wider region. This can only be a hugely positive driver for social and economic good.'

Insider media Ltd reported in June 2016 that the green light was given for the £31M computational science facility at Swansea University's Bay Campus. The Computational Foundry is backed by £17M from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and aims to make Wales a global destination for researchers, industrial partners and students.

The facility will include research and development laboratories, postgraduate and researcher areas, as well as teaching, networking, and inspiration space.  It will also feature experimental set-ups, equipment, devices and prototypes to accelerate innovation.

Walesonline reported in May 2016 that plans for the £31m Computational Foundry had moved a step closer after the planning application was registered.

The Computational Foundry is backed with £17M from the European Regional Developement Fund (ERDF) which will provide Swansea University with "world-class" facilities for research and development at the rapidly growing Bay Campus.

Construction enquirer reported in May 2016 that Willmott Dixon had secured the pre-construction stage of Swansea University's next major building project the Computational Foundry.

Welsh Government reported in March 2016  

'£31M EU boost for world class computer science hub in Swansea'  

First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones announced £31M EU-backed investment for a world class computer sciences facility at Swansea University. 

IamNews reported in June 2015 that Swansea University had plans to create a world-class research centre.