{"id":7310,"date":"2026-07-23T20:44:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T20:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/?p=7310"},"modified":"2026-07-24T15:45:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T15:45:06","slug":"celebrating-the-next-generation-of-tech-talent-developing-cardiox-through-computer-science-and-explainable-ai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/celebrating-the-next-generation-of-tech-talent-developing-cardiox-through-computer-science-and-explainable-ai\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating the next generation of tech talent: developing CardioX through Computer Science and explainable AI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Bringing together creativity, technology and industry expertise, this year\u2019s Computer Science and Engineering Final Year Project (FYP) Showcase celebrated the exceptional achievements of our graduating students. In partnership with IT services company Netcompany<\/a>, the annual event provided a platform for students to showcase their original technology-based solutions, developed throughout their final year. Their projects explored ways to address real-world challenges, with students presenting their ideas to industry professionals from Netcompany<\/a> and Smart DCC<\/a>. Now in its fifth year, the showcase highlights the breadth of talent across the School and gives students the opportunity to gain valuable industry insight, receive expert feedback and showcase projects with real-world applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From more than 400 final-year project submissions across the School, ten outstanding projects were selected to be showcased. The finalists were recognised for their achievements and invited to present their work to a panel of industry experts. All ten students received prizes ranging from \u00a3100 to \u00a31,000 in addition to competition categories for 1st<\/sup>, 2nd<\/sup>, 3rd<\/sup>\u00a0and Social Impact prizes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This blog series will highlight some of the finalist projects, sharing their experiences of developing their ideas, presenting their work to industry professionals and reflecting on their journey studying at Westminster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to Computer Science BSc<\/a> student Vanshika, one of this year\u2019s <\/strong>finalists and winner of second place about her final year project, her Westminster experience and career ambitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ten finalist with professionals from Netcompany and Smart DCC<\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Could you tell us a bit about your course and what aspects you have particularly enjoyed?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the things I have enjoyed most about studying the Computer Science BSc<\/a> at Westminster is how practical and varied the course has been. Throughout my degree, I have explored a wide range of areas including software engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, databases, cybersecurity and web development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I particularly enjoyed was the opportunity to apply what I learned through hands-on projects and coursework. Being able to use technology to solve real-world problems encouraged me to think creatively and develop my technical and problem-solving skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The practical nature of the course ultimately inspired my final-year project, CardioX, where I was able to combine my interests in artificial intelligence and healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Could you tell us more about your final-year project, CardioX, and what inspired it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My final-year project is called CardioX and the idea came from my part-time role as a Data Analyst within an NHS Trust\u2019s Cardiology department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have always had a strong interest in artificial intelligence, so I wanted to explore how AI could be used to support healthcare. CardioX combines cardiology and AI to create a heart attack prediction tool that not only provides a prediction but also explains the reasons behind that result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A key feature of the project is its use of SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations), which makes the AI model explainable. Many AI systems operate like a \u201cblack box\u201d, providing an answer without showing how they reached that conclusion. CardioX instead highlights the factors influencing the prediction, such as blood pressure, age and other health indicators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This makes the technology more practical for clinicians, as they can understand the reasoning behind the prediction and use this information when supporting patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The platform also generates personalised guidance for clinicians and creates reports in PDF format. These reports are tailored depending on the audience: the clinician version includes more detailed technical information, while the patient version is designed to be easier to understand for someone without a medical background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What skills have you developed during your course that helped you with your final-year project?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout my degree, I developed a wide range of technical and professional skills, including programming, data analysis, software development and artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The course also helped me build important transferable skills such as independent working, project management, presenting ideas and managing deadlines. These skills were particularly valuable during my final-year project, where I had to plan, develop and present a complex project from start to finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The support from my lecturers and my project supervisor was also incredibly important. They provided guidance, encouragement and feedback throughout the process, especially during challenging stages of development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How did it feel to present CardioX to industry professionals and receive second place?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receiving second prize for CardioX was a truly rewarding experience. Having the project recognised by industry professionals from Netcompany<\/a> and Smart DCC<\/a> was a proud moment, especially because the idea was inspired by my own experience working within an NHS Cardiology department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The feedback I received helped strengthen my confidence and reinforced my passion for developing AI-driven solutions that can create a real impact in healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am very grateful to the University of Westminster for providing the opportunity to present my work, and I would also like to thank my supervisor and all the lecturers who supported and encouraged me throughout my degree. Their guidance played a huge role in helping me reach this achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vanshika collecting her 2nd place award from Netcompany<\/sub><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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What are your plans after graduation?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope to continue developing CardioX alongside my colleagues in my current role. My employer has nominated the project for an innovation award, recognising its potential to support the development of new healthcare technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They have also provided funding and support to explore how the model could potentially be developed further and implemented across NHS England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are still many challenges ahead, but I hope that, with the support of healthcare professionals and NHS teams, CardioX can continue to evolve and contribute to improving how AI is used in clinical settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What has been the highlight of your time studying at Westminster?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A major highlight of my time at Westminster has been the opportunities I have had to gain industry experience alongside my studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of my course, I completed a placement year as a Data Analyst and Robotics Automation Engineer at RICO Europe<\/a>, a Japanese company based in central London near the University\u2019s Campus. The University\u2019s careers and placement support team helped me throughout the process, from preparing applications to reflecting on my learning during the placement. I also had a placement manager who kept in regular contact to check on my progress and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After completing my placement year, I continued looking for opportunities to gain industry experience and secured my current role as a Data Analyst within an NHS Cardiology department. This role directly inspired my final-year project and allowed me to combine my academic knowledge with real-world healthcare challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During my final year, I also developed my knowledge of artificial intelligence through modules such as Applied AI and completed several Microsoft certifications to further enhance my skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lecturers at Westminster have been incredibly supportive, and my project supervisor, Dr Ester Bonmati Coll<\/a> played an important role in motivating me throughout the development of CardioX. Their encouragement helped me overcome challenges and achieve something I am very proud of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vanshika with 1st place winner Matthew Immanuel and 3rd place winner Alexandra Marin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Vanshika with 1st place winner Matthew Immanuel and Huseyin Dagdeviren, Senior lecturer and Director of Employability within the School of Computer Science and Engineering <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Empowering Students Through Industry Engagement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huseyin Dagdeviren<\/a>, Senior Lecturer and Director of Employability in Computer Science and Engineering, shared:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Final Year Project Showcase continues to be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the creativity, technical expertise and dedication of our students. Now in its fifth year, our partnership with Netcompany, alongside the involvement of Smart DCC, has allowed us to strengthen the connection between academia and industry, giving our students the opportunity to showcase their work, receive valuable feedback and build confidence in presenting their ideas to professionals.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The quality and diversity of this year\u2019s projects demonstrate the incredible talent within our School and the ability of our students to apply their learning to address real-world challenges. These experiences are an important part of preparing our graduates for successful careers in the technology sector.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mariella Chapman, Supplier Relationship Manager at Smart DCC shared:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe DCC team found the projects incredibly interesting and were genuinely inspired by the level of talent across the University. It was a real privilege to be part of the day, and we look forward to continuing to build on this through future collaboration and co-creation with Westminster.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Graham Robinson, Chief Technology Officer at Smart DCC and judge at the event commented:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was inspiring to see the creativity, innovation and technical excellence on display, with students consistently focusing on how their ideas could deliver real value for end users.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The showcase reflects Westminster\u2019s strong commitment to employability and real-world learning, providing students with opportunities to develop industry connections, gain professional experience and graduate as confident, skilled contributors in the ever-evolving technology sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

About Westminster<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As one of the most diverse universities in the UK, we are a global university with London energy, with more than 19,000 students from 169 countries. Visit our website to find out more about our <\/strong>Computer Science and Engineering courses.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This year\u2019s Computer Science and Engineering Final Year Project (FYP) Showcase celebrated the exceptional achievements of our graduating students. The annual event provided a platform for students to demonstrate the innovative solutions they have developed throughout their final year to industry professionals from Netcompany and Smart DCC.<\/p>\n

We spoke to Computer Science BSc student Vanshika, one of this year\u2019s finalists and the winner of second place for her innovative project, CardioX. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":253,"featured_media":7320,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[87,83,11],"tags":[205,70,66,27],"class_list":["post-7310","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-employability-and-careers","category-student-success","category-undergraduate","tag-computer-science","tag-student-showcase","tag-student-work","tag-undergraduate"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7310","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/253"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7310"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7310\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7490,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7310\/revisions\/7490"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7320"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7310"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7310"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7310"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}