Prof Vishanth Weerakkody and Dr Kamran Mahroof from the University of Bradford, together with Mr Luis Cordeiro from OneSource, participated in the Xplore2026 Conference at the University of Lahore, Pakistan, the 7th Chapter of their national conference (14-16 October). The conference attracted approximately 300 participants from academia, industry and the wider professional community, providing a valuable platform to disseminate 6G-VERSUS research and engage with international audiences in South Asia.
The team presented the objectives and practical relevance of the 6G-VERSUS project, focusing on how the project is experimenting with 6G technologies and exploring their application through a range of real-world use cases. The presentations highlighted the potential of 6G-enabled technologies to address societal and operational challenges across areas such as environmental protection, forest-fire detection and response, sustainable energy management, and smart cities. These activities demonstrated how European research is moving beyond technology development towards testing and evaluating the practical benefits of next-generation connectivity to support sustainable development of key services for society.
A key focus of the dissemination activity was the project’s approach to evaluating the impact of 6G technologies. The team discussed the importance of establishing appropriate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess technical and operational performance, alongside Key Value Indicators (KVIs) to evaluate the wider value generated by 6G-enabled solutions. This highlighted the need to assess not only whether technologies perform as intended, but also whether they deliver meaningful benefits for people, organisations and society across social, economic and environmental dimensions.
Capacity building and knowledge exchange
In addition to the conference presentations, the team delivered two capacity-building activities designed to extend the project’s reach into doctoral education and industry. Both activities were delivered by Dr Kamran Mahroof (University of Bradford) and Mr Luis Cordeiro (OneSource).
- Pre-conference workshop on next-generation technologies Strategies for Ethical Adaptation led by Dr. Kamran Mahroof: Approximately 30 PhD students participated in a dedicated workshop introducing next-generation technologies and their potential applications. The workshop supported research capacity building by helping early-career researchers develop their understanding of emerging technologies and their relevance to research and real-world challenges.
- Executive training programme for local businesses led by Luis Cordeiro: 25 participants from local businesses took part in a 3-day executive training programme designed to advance their understanding of 6G, AI and the technologies being explored within the 6G-VERSUS project and broader European context. The programme helped participants understand the capabilities and potential ‘responsible’ applications of these technologies, and how they might contribute to innovation, operational improvement and the development of new business opportunities.
Together, these activities extended dissemination beyond the academic conference audience, supporting knowledge exchange with emerging researchers and business professionals and helping build awareness and understanding of next-generation technologies in Pakistan.
Media engagement and wider international reach
The conference also provided an opportunity to engage with a wider discussion on digital transformation, disruptive technologies and future skills. The team contributed to a panel discussion on preparing university graduates for a rapidly changing technological landscape, exploring the implications of AI and next-generation technologies for higher education, graduate capabilities and future employment. The event attracted additional media attention, with key moments from the keynote addresses broadcast live on Pakistani television, alongside an interviews with Prof Weerakkody and Dr Mahroof. This extended dissemination beyond conference attendees and helped raise awareness of European research and innovation among wider public audiences in Pakistan.
Contribution to 6G-VERSUS dissemination and impact
Participation in Xplore2026 supported the 6G-VERSUS project’s international dissemination, impact and capacity-building objectives. Through keynote presentations, television coverage, a pre-conference workshop and executive training, the team communicated the project’s research, experimental activities and use cases to audiences beyond Europe. The engagement showcased the practical applications of 6G technologies, reinforced the importance of systematic impact evaluation using KPIs and KVIs, and supported knowledge exchange with approximately 30 PhD students and 25 business participants. By engaging academic, industry and wider public audiences, these activities helped strengthen the visibility of European 6G research in South Asia and build awareness of the potential societal, economic and environmental benefits of next-generation connectivity and AI-enabled technologies.
Link to the event: https://sites.uol.edu.pk/
