A pioneering project from the University of St Andrews has been recognised at this year’s Converge Awards, Scotland’s flagship celebration of university innovation and entrepreneurship.
Senior Lecturer Dr Andrew O’Malley received the KickStart Challenge Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for SimPatient, an AI-powered simulated patient platform that is transforming medical education and training.
Held in Edinburgh on 2 October and attended by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, this year’s Converge Awards distributed 22 prizes to universities across Scotland, with a total prize fund exceeding £400,000.
Revolutionising medical training through AI
SimPatient offers a next-generation approach to clinical education, enabling learners to practise communication skills through realistic, interactive simulations. The technology supports text, voice, video, and extended reality interfaces, significantly reducing dependence on human actors while maintaining high educational value.
Built on a bespoke AI model trained using real clinical interactions, the platform provides scalable, data-driven learning experiences that can be licensed by medical schools and healthcare training providers worldwide.
“This award recognises not only the innovation behind SimPatient, but also the growing importance of AI in shaping the future of healthcare education,” said Dr O’Malley. “We’re excited about the potential this technology has to support learners and institutions globally.”
Supporting innovation across Scotland
The award comes as Converge secures a record £1.26 million funding commitment from the Scottish Funding Council over the next three years, alongside a new strategic partnership with Scottish Enterprise. This collaboration aims to create stronger pathways for university entrepreneurs, supporting them from concept to commercial success.
Adam Kosterka, Executive Director of Converge, said:
“At Converge, we believe Scotland’s universities are home to the next generation of world-changing innovations. This year’s winners exemplify what’s possible when academic expertise meets entrepreneurial ambition.”
Fostering innovation at St Andrews
The University of St Andrews continues to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship across disciplines, supporting projects that bridge academic research and real-world impact. The success of SimPatient highlights the University’s commitment to fostering cutting-edge solutions with the potential to transform industries and improve lives.
Congratulations to Dr O’Malley and the SimPatient team on this well-deserved recognition.
Learn more about how St Andrews Innovation supports university entrepreneurs at innovation.st-andrews.ac.uk.
