On 1 July 2025, the MMU Sustainability Development Committee successfully hosted an international webinar titled, Bridging Minds: Interdisciplinary Pathways to Support Autism and Diverse Learning Needs. Held virtually, the session welcomed participants from various institutions and countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom.
The webinar featured Dr. Ben Robins from the University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. In his talk, Robots as Assistive Tools to Support Therapy and Education: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Dr. Robins introduced Kaspar, a social humanoid robot, developed by the Adaptive Systems Research Group at the university. Kaspar is designed to assist in therapeutic and educational settings for children with autism and other special needs.
Dr. Robins elaborated on how Kaspar’s interactive features, such as facial expressions, gestures, and simple verbal cues help children improve communication, social interaction, and emotional regulation. Kaspar has been featured on BBC News, where its impact on children with autism was showcased through real-life stories of increased engagement, reduced anxiety, and improved social behaviours. The robot’s design and use have shown how technology, when guided by empathy and interdisciplinary research, can transform learning experiences for children with diverse needs.
Dr. Robins also shared compelling case studies and research findings from various cross-border and interdisciplinary collaborations involving Kaspar and children with special needs. One notable example was the MMU-Hertfordshire Joint Research Grant 2023, which supported a pilot study involving Kaspar and children with autism in Malaysia. The study, coordinated by MMU researchers explored how Kaspar could be adapted to local (i.e., Malaysian) contexts and demonstrated positive effects on the children’s social skills and classroom participation.
Participants actively engaged in the Q&A session, which fostered deeper awareness of inclusive education, equitable access, and the potential of human-centred innovation in learning environments.
This webinar aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This session further emphasised MMU’s pioneering role in driving inclusive innovation through international collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
