Three students start their PhD journey in AI

Three UKRI funded students at Bangor University started their PhD journey this week. Daniel Farmer, Samuel Henessey and Leena Farhat attended the induction event for students starting on the Artificial Intelligent, Machine Learning and Advanced Computing (AIMLAC) programme. The induction event took place in Cardiff, on the 21st and 22nd of September. The event was also streamed online, for remote participation.

The fully funded AIMLAC PhD positions cover a wide range of topics from analysing data from large science facilities (in particle physics, astronomy and cosmology), biological, health and clinical sciences, and research in mathematical, physical and computer sciences approaches. The positions are funded for 4 years, include placements with external partners, and include training, workshops and conference support.

Professor Jonathan C. Roberts (Bangor lead for AIMLAC) said “It is wonderful to welcome three new students to Bangor onto the AIMLAC programme. It is an exciting time for research into Artificial Intelligence. This centre provides the training necessary to develop skilled engineers and computing specialists in the area of Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and advanced computing.” The induction session used the Meeting Owl 360-degree video conference camera, which meant that people who were remote, and could not make it down to Cardiff, still felt engaged with the event. Professor Roberts went on to say, “Having the event in person, and streamed virtually, worked extremely well.”

Daniel Farmer (one of the new AIMLAC PhD students) said “It was an incredibly exciting event. It was great to meet so many students who were also part of the AIMLAC programme. We had some initial training on research software engineering and learnt about the programme. We also had a team building exercise. We went to Exitus Escape Rooms in Cardiff which was a great way to bring out everyone’s competitive side, in way that forced us to work together from the very beginning.”

Professor Gert Aarts, director of the AIMLAC centre for doctoral training, welcoming everyone to the induction event

 [Author JCR]

Publication date: 29 September 2021