SEGA Backs New Lab at University of West London
Students will use latest AI tools for gaming and tech development
Kashif Iqbal and Stuart Wright. Picture: UWL
March 10, 2026
The University of West London has strengthened its ties with the gaming and technology sector with the launch of a new SEGA Lab at its School of Computing and Engineering. The facility, unveiled last month, marks a significant step in expanding industry collaboration and giving students access to advanced computing infrastructure used across modern digital industries.
The launch was attended by Stuart Wright, Chief Technology Officer at SEGA Europe and a member of UWL’s Board of Governors, and Kashif Iqbal, Director of Technology Services & Cyber Security. SEGA Europe, whose headquarters are based in Chiswick Business Park, has provided a substantial donation to support the new lab. The session included a live demonstration of SEGA systems and discussions on high-performance computing, AI workflows and the role of advanced infrastructure in supporting teaching and research.
The SEGA Lab provides students with GPU-accelerated workstations capable of supporting AI development, simulation, data science and cybersecurity experimentation. The equipment is designed to mirror current industry practice, giving students hands-on experience with the tools and workflows used in professional environments.
Kashif Iqbal, who also serves as a Visiting Industry Professor at UWL, said the collaboration reflects SEGA’s commitment to investing in future talent and building meaningful bridges between academia and industry. He said the new facility would help students develop technical skills, creativity and innovation, preparing them to enter the digital entertainment and technology sectors with confidence.
Stuart Wright emphasised the importance of local partnerships, noting that SEGA values working closely with organisations such as the University of West London. The company’s proximity to the university—its European headquarters are just a short distance away in Chiswick—has helped foster a strong relationship between the two institutions.
Nino Auricchio, Lead of Operations for the School of Computing and Engineering, said the lab represents a major step forward in expanding access to high-performance computing across the school. Professor Philip Cox, Dean of the School, added that the partnership exemplifies UWL’s commitment to aligning education with industry innovation, ensuring students gain exposure to computational environments that reflect real-world practice.
The SEGA Lab is expected to play a central role in supporting teaching, student projects and research across AI, cybersecurity and data-driven engineering, reinforcing UWL’s ambition to provide students with the skills and experience needed to thrive in rapidly evolving digital industries.
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