Digital Connectivity & Innovation Centre (DCIC)

Overview

The Digital Connectivity & Innovation Centre (DCIC) at University of the West of Scotland’s Ayr Campus is an innovation hub focused on 5G and future digital connectivity solutions. It was established with £1 million in funding from the Ayrshire 5G Innovation Region (A5GIR) project, which is part of the £38 million Innovation Regions programme funded by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Supporting the Ayrshire Regional Economic Strategy, DCIC plays a key role in advancing next-generation connectivity and strengthening the aerospace sector and 5G/6G research.

A key focus is the creation of a wireless factory of the future within the Prestwick Aerospace Cluster, demonstrating the transformative potential of 5G in engineering and manufacturing. The Centre is part of the Artificial Intelligence, Visual Communications and Networks (AVCN) research institute.

Contact us

Digital Connectivity & Innovation Centre (DCIC)
Room 4.030 to 4.031
Ayr Campus, University Avenue, Ayr, KA8 0SX
Email: dcic@uws.ac.uk

Research Themes and Services

The Digital Connectivity & Innovation Centre (DCIC) is equipped with state-of-the-art 5G Mobile Private Network (MPN), Open Radio Access Network (ORAN), IoT, and AI-driven connectivity solutions, enabling businesses and researchers to explore the future of digital connectivity. It offers:

Test & Trial Facilities – enabling businesses to explore and validate next-generation 5G, ORAN, IoT, and AI-driven connectivity solutions.
Specialised Training Programmes – industry-focused workshops and hands-on training to enhance skills in advanced wireless technologies.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) – collaborating with businesses to drive digital innovation, efficiency, and adoption of emerging technologies.

Members/Key Staff

Professor Muhammad Zeeshan Shakir, Professor of Wireless Communications and Director, DCIC, Muhammad.Shakir@uws.ac.uk
Dr Pablo Salva Garcia, Lecturer and DCIC Network Lead, Pablo.Salva-Garcia@uws.ac.uk
Dr Parag Vichare, Reader and DCIC Aerospace Use Case Lead, Parag.Vichare@uws.ac.uk
Dr Shahriar Al-Ahmed, Lecturer and DCIC Site Manager, Shahriar.Al-Ahmed@uws.ac.uk
Ivan Marjanovic, DCIC Manager, Ivan.Marjanovic@uws.ac.uk
Leon Irving, 5G Ecosystem Manager, Leon.Irving@uws.ac.uk
Chao Guo, Digital Ambassador Program Coordinator, chao.guo@uws.ac.uk
Nurudeen Salau, Research Assistant, nurudeen.salau@uws.ac.uk
Hamish Sturley, Research Assistant, Hamish.Sturley@uws.ac.uk
Yingbo Zhu, Research Assistant, Yingbo.Zhu@uws.ac.uk
Ahren Hart, Research Assistant, ahren.hart@uws.ac.uk

Equipment/facilities

UWS Mobile Private Network (MPN)

A dedicated and secure private 5G network designed for enterprises, ensuring seamless connectivity, high reliability, and zero interference from public networks. Ideal for industries requiring real-time data processing, automation, and IoT integration.

Key features

Enterprise-Grade Private 5G – fully private network with complete control and security, free from public network interference.
Multi-Device Connectivity – supports industrial IoT devices, sensors, robotics, and mobile devices for enterprise applications.
Compact & Portable – a plug-and-play 5G-in-a-box solution for rapid deployment.
Wireless Backhaul Support – integrates with Starlink or other networks for connectivity in remote areas.
Ultra-Low Latency & High Reliability – enables real-time automation, remote operations, and AI-powered analytics.

UWS Open Radio Access Network

An open-source, software-defined Radio Access Network (RAN) that enhances flexibility, innovation, and interoperability in 5G deployments. Designed to support custom and experimental implementations, Open RAN enables research and industry-specific solutions.

Key features

Open-Source & Software-Defined – built on open projects like O-RAN, Kubernetes, and OpenAirInterface for a fully adaptable 5G RAN.
Full 5G Stack – independently supports all modern 5G features, ensuring seamless integration and performance.
Industry-Focused Customisation – allows development of tailored solutions for specific industry needs, including small cells, mmWave, and network slicing.
Flexible & Modular Architecture – supports standalone operations, remote radio heads, and distributed core without requiring constant internet connectivity.

Digital Ambassador Programme (DAP)

This is a free learning opportunity for business from all sectors to gain insights into 5G technologies and their real-world applications, learn from industry and academic experts about emerging digital innovations, and understand how your organisation can benefit from 5G adoption.

The DAP is an initiative under the Ayrshire Digital Economy Ecosystem (ADEE), building on the momentum of the Ayrshire 5G Innovation Region (5GIR) project. Contact us now at adee@uws.ac.uk to sign up and get enrolment instructions to access the platform.