Edinburgh Napier University has formed a partnership with a national provider of adult and vocational education to look at how artificial intelligence (AI) can help learners who have previously struggled with traditional education pathways.
The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Functional Skills UK (FSUK), co-funded by Innovate UK, will explore ways to personalise learning and improve engagement in essential skills training.
Led by Professor Sukanlaya Sawang from Centre of Business Innovations and Sustainable Solutions (CBISS) in collaboration with Professor Maura Sheehan from the Business School and Dr Brian Davison from the School of Computing, Engineering & The Built Environment (all pictured right), this two-year collaboration will apply Edinburgh Napier’s expertise in AI, learning analytics, and digital education to co-create an adaptive learning platform.
This platform will use AI to provide tailored feedback, support learner progression, and offer valuable decision support to educators – transforming how functional skills in maths and English are delivered.
This is the latest example of a KTP involving Edinburgh Napier University expertise. They offer businesses an opportunity to improve their competitiveness, productivity and performance by working with academics.
Professor Sawang of Edinburgh Napier University said: “We’re partnering with FSUK to revolutionise inclusive digital education through AI-driven learning.
“This initiative exemplifies the shared commitment of our Business School and Centre of Business Innovations and Sustainable Solutions to innovation, inclusivity, and meaningful impact.”
Paul Smith, Managing Director of Functional Skills UK, said: “We’re incredibly proud to receive this rare and competitive award. It reflects not only our dedication to innovation but also our belief that education must adapt to the needs of every learner.
“This AI tool has the potential to transform how we support neurodiverse learners—not just within our organisation, but across the wider education and skills sector.”
The KTP was announced as part of a wider government initiative to accelerate innovation and strengthen collaboration between academia and industry. This sentiment is echoed by the UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, who expressed strong support for the project.
This partnership marks a significant step forward in reshaping adult education by harnessing the power of AI for inclusion, engagement, and impact – further reinforcing Edinburgh Napier University’s role as a leader in applied research and industry collaboration.