VIRI’s research is currently geared towards a primary focus consisting of the following research areas:

VIRI0001a: Artificial Intelligence for Agricultural Applications

AI in agriculture presents an exciting opportunity to transform farming practices, increase yields, reduce costs, and promote sustainability. The successful implementation of AI in agriculture requires careful planning, data-driven decision-making, and a strong focus on real-world applications and farmer needs. By combining AI research with practical solutions, we can develop systems that enhance agricultural productivity and help meet the challenges of feeding a growing global population.

Conducting extensive research and implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture involves a multi-disciplinary approach, drawing from fields like machine learning, data science, robotics, and agriculture science. The aim is to leverage AI to solve critical challenges in farming, enhance productivity, optimize resource use, and ensure sustainable agricultural practices.

This will significantly improve agricultural productivity and sustainability through the application of AI. By addressing critical challenges in crop management, resource optimization, automation, and supply chain efficiency, AI can transform the agricultural sector. The proposed research and implementation plan will provide farmers with powerful tools to enhance decision-making, increase crop yields, and reduce environmental impact, ensuring a more sustainable and profitable agricultural future.

VIRI1001b: Explainable AI

Explainable AI (XAI) is crucial for increasing the transparency and trustworthiness of AI systems, especially in high-impact sectors like healthcare, finance, and autonomous systems. This research and implementation project aims to advance XAI techniques by developing interpretable models, creating human-centered explanations, and ensuring ethical and fair AI. The outcomes of this project will not only contribute to the academic understanding of explainability but also provide practical tools that can be integrated into real-world AI applications, fostering more responsible and transparent use of AI technologies.

The implementation of Explainable AI is critical for enhancing the transparency, trust, and fairness of AI systems. This research project will contribute to the development of practical tools and methodologies for making complex AI models interpretable, ultimately enabling better decision-making in critical sectors like healthcare, finance, and autonomous systems. By improving how AI models explain their decisions, the project will foster greater accountability, fairness, and adoption of AI technologies.

This research will focus on developing and testing XAI techniques that can make complex AI models (especially deep learning) more interpretable without sacrificing their performance. It will aim to advance the state of XAI across various domains, ensuring that both practitioners and end-users can trust and make informed decisions based on AI-driven outputs.

VIRI0002: Augmented, Extended, and Virtual Reality

This project will push the boundaries of immersive technologies by conducting research and developing practical applications of AR, XR, and VR across multiple industries. By leveraging these technologies, the project will contribute to more interactive learning, efficient workflows, and engaging consumer experiences. Through innovative hardware, AI integration, and user-focused design, this research will foster the adoption of immersive technologies in real-world applications, providing valuable insights into their potential for transforming business and society

The research will cover the creation of immersive experiences, the development of hardware and software tools, the design of intuitive user interfaces, and the study of the impact of these technologies on various sectors.  By integrating AI, machine learning, and real-time data processing, the project will advance the use of AR, XR, and VR in practical, real-world scenarios. The ultimate goal is to provide novel solutions that increase engagement, productivity, safety, and efficiency across industries.

VIRI0003: Biotechnology

This research project will conduct extensive research and develop practical biotechnological applications aimed at addressing critical global challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. This research will explore innovative biotechnologies, such as gene editing, synthetic biology, bioinformatics, and biomanufacturing, to create solutions that improve human health, enhance food security, and promote ecological balance.

By combining traditional biotechnological approaches with emerging technologies like AI, CRISPR, and next-generation sequencing, this project aims to accelerate the pace of discovery and create tangible outcomes that improve the quality of life, environmental health, and agricultural productivity.

This will advance the field of biotechnology by researching and implementing innovative solutions in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies like gene editing, bioinformatics, and biomanufacturing, the project will address critical global challenges, such as improving human health, ensuring food security, and mitigating environmental damage. The outcome will contribute to a more sustainable, healthy, and equitable future.

VIRI0004: Blockchain

This research project will conduct extensive research and develop real-world implementations of Blockchain technology to address a variety of challenges across industries including finance, supply chain management, healthcare, governance, and cybersecurity. By leveraging the decentralized, transparent, and secure nature of blockchain, the project aims to enhance data integrity, streamline operations, improve trust, and provide innovative solutions to complex problems. The research will also focus on evolving blockchain technologies, such as smart contracts, permissioned blockchains, NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), and DeFi (Decentralized Finance).

It will explore both the technical aspects of blockchain development (e.g., consensus algorithms, cryptography, scalability) and its real-world applications across sectors, focusing on practical use cases, potential benefits, challenges, and regulatory considerations. 

The exploration of the vast potential of blockchain technology by developing innovative, practical solutions for industries ranging from finance to healthcare to supply chain management. By focusing on real-world applications, scalability, security, and regulatory challenges, the project will contribute to advancing blockchain technology and its adoption across various sectors, ultimately transforming how we handle data, transactions, and digital identities in the modern world.

VIRI0005: Construction and Social Housing -  Revolutionizing Construction and Social Housing: Research and Implementation of Modern Technologies for Sustainable, Affordable, and Efficient Housing Solutions

This research project will explore and implement modern technologies that can significantly improve the construction and delivery of social housing. The research will focus on leveraging advanced technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), 3D printing, modular construction, sustainable materials, smart homes, and artificial intelligence (AI) to address key challenges in the construction industry, such as affordability, sustainability, efficiency, and quality. The aim is to develop and test innovative solutions that enable the creation of affordable, high-quality, and energy-efficient housing for low-income communities and address the growing housing shortage.

The project will also emphasize social housing as a crucial aspect, considering the need for equitable housing solutions that can accommodate diverse socio-economic groups while meeting the standards of comfort, safety, and accessibility.

This research project aims to address the global housing crisis by leveraging modern construction technologies, such as BIM, modular construction, 3D printing, AI, and smart home solutions, to create affordable, high-quality, and sustainable housing for low-income communities. By focusing on social housing, the project seeks to improve living conditions for underserved populations while enhancing the efficiency, speed, and environmental sustainability of the construction process. The outcomes will contribute to long-term solutions for affordable housing, setting a new standard for how homes can be built and managed in the 21st century.

VIRI0006: Cybersecurity and 5G

This research project is to conduct extensive research and implementation of advanced cybersecurity solutions tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of 5G networks. The research will focus on developing robust security frameworks and technologies to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and services in 5G networks, which are expected to underpin critical infrastructures across various sectors, including telecommunications, healthcare, transportation, and finance.

As 5G technology introduces unprecedented speeds, lower latency, and enhanced connectivity, it also opens the door to new attack surfaces and vulnerabilities. The project will explore novel approaches in areas like network architecture, data protection, authentication mechanisms, edge computing, IoT security, and AI-powered threat detection to ensure 5G networks remain secure and resilient in the face of emerging cyber threats.

It will tackle the complex cybersecurity challenges associated with the deployment of 5G networks. By focusing on novel security technologies, including AI-powered threat detection, secure communication protocols, and resilient network architectures, the project will help shape the future of secure 5G infrastructure. Ultimately, the research will contribute to the safe and secure adoption of 5G, ensuring that the technology can be leveraged to its full potential across industries, while safeguarding data, services, and connected devices.

VIRI0007: Datafication

VIRI0008: Data Science

VIRI0009: Gamification

VIRI0010: Internet of Things

This research project will explore, develop, and implement advanced solutions in the Internet of Things (IoT), addressing key challenges such as scalability, security, data privacy, interoperability, and energy efficiency. The research will focus on creating innovative IoT architectures and applications that can be deployed across diverse sectors such as smart cities, industrial IoT (IIoT), healthcare, transportation, and agriculture, with an emphasis on creating sustainable, secure, and efficient IoT ecosystems.

IoT is poised to revolutionize the way industries operate, from connected homes to industrial automation and data-driven decision-making. However, its rapid growth also brings challenges related to security vulnerabilities, data overload, connectivity issues, and resource constraints. This project aims to create novel solutions to address these challenges while promoting wide-scale IoT adoption.

This project aims to drive the next generation of IoT technologies, addressing the challenges of scalability, security, data privacy, and interoperability. By focusing on innovative solutions and real-world applications, the project will contribute to the development of efficient, secure, and sustainable IoT ecosystems across industries. The outcomes will help shape the future of connected devices and systems, making IoT more impactful and accessible on a global scale.

VIRI0011: Learning Analytics

VIRI0012: Logistics and Supply Chain Management

The goal of this research project is to explore, develop, and implement advanced logistics and supply chain management (SCM) solutions that drive efficiency, sustainability, and resilience across industries. This will focus on identifying innovative technologies and strategies to optimize supply chains, improve operational efficiency, enhance the sustainability of logistics operations, and strengthen supply chain resilience in the face of global disruptions. By investigating new trends such as digitalization, automation, blockchain, AI/ML, and supply chain collaboration, this research aims to create comprehensive frameworks and best practices for modern supply chain management.

The logistics and supply chain sector plays a critical role in the global economy, ensuring that goods and services are delivered efficiently, sustainably, and cost-effectively. However, traditional supply chain models are increasingly under pressure due to factors such as globalization, consumer demand for faster delivery, environmental concerns, and supply chain disruptions caused by events like pandemics and natural disasters. As a result, there is an urgent need for new and innovative solutions that optimize logistics operations, improve flexibility, reduce costs, and mitigate risks.

This research will revolutionize logistics and supply chain management through the development of cutting-edge technologies, sustainability practices, and risk management strategies. By focusing on digital transformation, automation, collaboration, and sustainability, the project will equip businesses with the tools needed to optimize their supply chains, reduce costs, increase transparency, and build resilience in the face of an increasingly complex and volatile global environment. The research will contribute to a more efficient, sustainable, and equitable global supply chain ecosystem, driving long-term benefits for businesses and society.

VIRI0013: Machine Learning

VIRI0014: Natural Language Processing

VIRI0015: Robotics

VIRI0016: Social Informatics

VIRI0017: Social Media Analytics

VIRI0018: Solar

The goal of this research project is to advance the development, implementation, and optimization of solar energy technologies by exploring new materials, enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and enabling scalable solutions for both residential and commercial applications. The project aims to address key challenges in solar energy generation, storage, integration into the grid, and sustainability. It will focus on creating innovative solar solutions that contribute to a sustainable energy future and play a pivotal role in achieving net-zero emissions goals globally.

With solar energy being one of the most viable alternatives to fossil fuels, this research will explore solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, concentrated solar power (CSP), solar thermal technologies, and energy storage systems. Additionally, it will seek to investigate innovative methods for integrating solar energy into existing energy infrastructures, such as through smart grids and energy management systems.

This research project will contribute to the advancement of solar energy technologies, addressing critical challenges related to efficiency, cost, integration, and sustainability. By developing innovative solutions and conducting applied research, this project will play a crucial role in accelerating the transition to a clean energy future, where solar power becomes a mainstream energy source.

VIRI0019a: Sustainable Farming

This research project will explore and implement innovative sustainable farming practices that can help address the growing global challenges of food security, climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity. The project will focus on the development, application, and evaluation of farming techniques that are not only economically viable but also ecologically responsible and socially inclusive. The ultimate goal is to create solutions that promote agricultural productivity while reducing the negative impact on the environment and improving the resilience of farming systems to climate change.

Sustainable farming is an approach that balances the economic needs of farmers with the environmental health of ecosystems and the social welfare of communities. This research will delve into various components of sustainable agriculture, including agroecology, regenerative farming, precision agriculture, integrated pest management (IPM), and agricultural diversification.

This research project will help shape the future of agriculture by identifying, testing, and promoting sustainable farming practices that enhance food security, support ecosystem health, and create economic opportunities for farmers. Through innovation, technology integration, and collaboration with key stakeholders, this project aims to build a resilient, sustainable farming system that meets the needs of both current and future generations.

VIRI0019b: Sustainable Technology

This research project will explore and implement innovative sustainable technologies across various sectors to reduce environmental impact, promote resource efficiency, and contribute to a sustainable future. The project will focus on advancing technologies that support renewable energy, circular economy, smart cities, sustainable agriculture, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and climate change mitigation. The goal is to not only develop these technologies but also implement them in real-world settings, ensuring that they are scalable, economically viable, and beneficial to society at large.

Sustainable technology refers to innovations that are designed to minimize negative environmental impacts, enhance resource efficiency, and promote long-term ecological, social, and economic sustainability. This project will focus on interdisciplinary research, involving engineering, data science, policy, business models, and social systems, to create an integrated approach that accelerates the transition to a more sustainable world.

This research project will accelerate the transition to a sustainable future by advancing innovative technologies that address key environmental challenges. By focusing on a holistic, systems-level approach that integrates technical innovation, policy development, and real-world implementation, this project will contribute to creating scalable, economically viable, and environmentally responsible solutions across industries. Ultimately, the research will support the transition to a green economy, contributing to the fight against climate change, improving resource efficiency, and ensuring a sustainable future for all.

VIRI0020: Transportation

This research project will explore, develop, and implement innovative sustainable transportation systems that reduce environmental impact, improve efficiency, and enhance social equity in mobility. The goal is to advance green technologies and systems thinking in transportation to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and address congestion, all while ensuring accessible and inclusive mobility for all populations. This project will focus on electric vehicles (EVs), public transportation systems, shared mobility services, transport infrastructure, sustainable logistics, and the integration of smart technologies for efficient, low-carbon transportation systems.

Sustainable transportation refers to the design and implementation of transportation systems that meet society’s mobility needs in a way that reduces negative environmental impacts, minimizes energy consumption, and supports social inclusion. By fostering innovation in electric mobility, shared transportation systems, alternative fuels, and smart transport technologies, the project will contribute to achieving climate goals, particularly in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector.

This research project will advance the transition to sustainable transportation systems by developing, testing, and scaling innovative technologies and policies. Through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates technological innovation, policy development, and real-world implementation, the project will contribute to reducing the environmental impact of transportation, improving mobility efficiency, and promoting a low-carbon future. The research outcomes will play a key role in shaping the future of transportation for both urban and rural communities, creating sustainable and inclusive mobility systems globally.

VIRI0021: Cyber Range - Building the Future of Cybersecurity Education: Research and Implementation of Cyber Ranges for Teaching and Research Learning Environments

The goal of this project is to establish and implement Cyber Ranges—controlled, simulated environments for cybersecurity training and research—that provide hands-on learning experiences for students, researchers, and professionals. The research will focus on designing, developing, and optimizing cyber ranges to simulate real-world cyber threats and defensive strategies. These environments will support both academic and professional development in the fields of cybersecurity, digital forensics, incident response, penetration testing, and network security.

Cyber ranges enable learners and researchers to interact with live cyber-attack scenarios and explore cybersecurity concepts in a risk-free environment. This project aims to create an integrated cyber range framework that can be used for teaching, practical skills training, simulation-based research, and incident response exercises.

This project will advance the field of cybersecurity education by developing a state-of-the-art cyber range that allows hands-on learning, research, and experimentation in a realistic yet controlled environment. By addressing critical areas such as attack simulation, incident response, and scalable infrastructure, this initiative will provide a comprehensive, effective solution for preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, researchers, and practitioners.