Two international projects led by Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) academics will see researchers recruited from south-east Asia in the pursuit of innovative solutions to energy and healthcare challenges.
Edinburgh Napier University has secured £900,000 in funding from the British Council as part of the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) Early Career Fellowships scheme to host 15 early career researchers from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
First launched in 2022 and funded by the UK government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the ISPF is designed to foster prosperity by supporting UK researchers and innovators to work with international partners on some of the most pressing themes of our time.
Driving Clean Energy Innovation – ASCEND
The first of these projects, Accelerating Transformative Technology for Sustainable Clean Energy Development (ASCEND), is led by Associate Professor Dr Firdaus Muhammad-Sukki (top picture). Over the course of a year-long fellowship, six new researchers will work on advancing the next generation of solar technologies, decarbonising heavy industries with clean fuels, and applying AI and machine learning to optimise energy systems and infrastructure in Malaysia and Indonesia.
ASCEND will aim to deliver practical, scalable solutions to help south-east Asian countries transition to a low-carbon future, tackling key issues such as affordability, reliability and long-term sustainability in energy systems.
Advancing Healthcare Through Technology – TTHER
The second project, Transformative Technologies for Healthcare and Environmental Resilience (TTHER), led by Professor Hongnian Yu (bottom picture), will welcome nine early career fellows from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Their research will involve themes such as developing personalised digital tools for diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, using AI and machine learning for enhanced healthcare analytics, and improving remote diagnosis.
The TTHER project is designed to address the growing demands on healthcare by harnessing technology to improve both access and quality of care across diverse populations in south-east Asia.
Global impact through research and collaboration
Associate Professor Dr Firdaus Muhammad-Sukki from Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment said: “This strategic investment by the British Council strengthens the UK’s partnerships with south-east Asian countries and reflects Edinburgh Napier’s growing role as a global leader in applied research and innovation.
“Through these fellowships, the University is proud to foster knowledge exchange, capacity building and long-term international collaboration in areas crucial to sustainable development and societal well-being.”
Professor Hongnian Yu said: “Both the UK and south-east Asian countries are facing significant societal challenges in healthcare. This ISPF investment provides an exceptional opportunity for Edinburgh Napier University to further strengthen our role as a global leader in digital healthcare innovation.
“Through these fellowships, we are not only addressing urgent global health challenges but also fostering strong, sustainable partnerships.
“We are proud to promote knowledge exchange, capacity building, and long-term international collaboration – particularly in applying AI and robotics to public health and societal well-being.”
There is more information about both ASCEND and TTHER, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply, available here.