The School of Computing and Engineering (SCE) at the University of West London (UWL) has launched the new SEGA Lab, marking an exciting step forward in strengthening industry collaboration and enhancing student access to advanced computing infrastructure.
The SEGA Lab was officially launched on 12 February and attended by Stuart Wright, Chief Technology Officer at SEGA Europe and a member of the University’s Board of Governors, and Kashif Iqbal, Director of Technology Services & Cyber Security, alongside academic colleagues. The session featured a live demonstration of SEGA systems and discussions around high-performance computing, AI workflows, and the strategic role of advanced infrastructure in supporting teaching and research.
Empowering students with advanced technology
The generous donation from SEGA will benefit students across all disciplines within SCE. The lab provides access to GPU-accelerated workstations that support AI development, simulation, data science, and cybersecurity experimentation, enabling students to work with systems that reflect current industry practice.
Kashif Iqbal, who also serves as a Visiting Industry Professor at SCE supporting developments in the cyber security field, emphasised the importance of the collaboration:
“The SEGA Cyber Lab reflects our commitment to investing in future talent and creating meaningful bridges between industry and academia. Our collaboration with the School of Computing and Engineering is invaluable, as it allows us to support students with real-world technology, practical experience and exposure to industry standards. We hope the Lab empowers students to develop their technical skills, creativity and innovation, helping them graduate confident, industry-ready and inspired to shape the future of digital entertainment and technology.”
Stuart Wright, CTO at SEGA Europe, also highlighted the importance of local partnerships:
“SEGA values collaborating with local partners such as the University of West London.”
Nino Auricchio, Lead of Operations for the School of Computing and Engineering, added:
“The SEGA Lab represents a major step forward in expanding access to high-performance computing across the School. Through SEGA’s support, our students can engage directly with advanced tools and infrastructure that underpin modern computing and engineering practice.”
Professor Philip Cox, Dean of the School of Computing and Engineering, commented:
“This partnership with SEGA exemplifies our strategic commitment to aligning education with industry innovation. The SEGA Lab enhances our capacity to deliver cutting-edge teaching and research, ensuring our students gain exposure to advanced computational environments that mirror professional practice. We are proud to work alongside industry leaders to create transformative opportunities for our students.”
Driving innovation and real-world impact
The launch of the SEGA Lab reinforces UWL’s commitment to providing students with hands-on experience using industry-standard technologies and strengthening partnerships that connect education, innovation and real-world application. The facility is expected to play a key role in supporting teaching, student projects, and research activity across AI, cyber security and data-driven engineering.
