Welcome to this month’s roundup of the stories, updates and events happening across the World Technology Universities Network.

WTUN News:

• Last week, we announced that the WTUN will be attending NAFSA 2024 in New Orleans. WTUN Development Manager, Denise Whitehead, will be attending from 27 – 31 May and is looking forward to meeting colleagues old and new. If you or your organisation will be there and would like to meet up to discuss opportunities for International Collaboration, please get in touch at wtun@bradford.ac.uk. 
• We will be announcing the winners of the Brian Cantor Scholarship Prize, shortly. Keep your eyes out for the announcement!

WTUN Members ONLY:

• The WTUN hopes to mark International Women in Engineering Day 2024, as we did for 2023. This year’s INWED theme is ‘Enhanced by Engineering’. A call will be shared with members shortly to convene speakers and panellists. If you would like to suggest a topic for a session or have any other ideas, please contact the WTUN Secretariat at wtun@bradford.ac.uk.

News from our Members:

Asia:

Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

• SIT researchers explore the growing concern around obesity and its links to memory loss. When observed in mice, obesity decreases learning ability and increases brain oxidation, but using tocotrienols as a supplement can help to prevent this decline. The researchers are calling for further investigation to understand how obesity impacts oxidative stress on the brain. Read the full story here.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia

• UTM discusses research-led teaching and how it aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice. By incorporating latest research findings, methodologies, and debates into the classroom, research-led educators ensure that students are exposed to the most up-to-date knowledge in their field of study. These students are also enabled to engage, question, and contribute to the ongoing discourse around their chosen subject. Read the full story here.

North America:

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada

• SAIT’s Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS) has shared two stories on its recent work and research:
  • Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), also known as drones, are being used for a variety of tasks. Researchers at ARIS are uncovering new ways to utilise drones across a variety of industries. From delivering medical supplies to remote access communities to use in infrastructure inspections where human access is difficult or unsafe, drones can be used to improve safety, expand data collection and provide new perspectives. Read the full story here.
  • Researchers at ARIS have developed a new device which can bring real-time measurement to the on-shore oil market. This device, is smaller, cleaner and more efficient, and prevents the need to separate out oil, gas and water in pipes to measure their ratios. With this device, there is capacity to monitor in real-time, increase safety, reduce downtime, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Read the full story here.

Europe:

Atlantic Technological University, Ireland

• ATU announces 60 PhD scholarships under the Technological University Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise (TU RISE) scheme. Scholarships are available in a range of disciplines such as Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering; Audiovisual & Creative; and Renewable Energy, Climate Change Mitigation & Sustainability. All PhDs are funded with a fee waiver and an annual stiped of €22,000 per year over the 4-year programme. The programme also includes an internship with a related business. International students may also be eligible for a two-year post-graduate work permit to work in Ireland. Find out more here.

Technische Universität Ilmenau, Germany

• Researchers at TU Ilmenau are optimizing the manufacturing for chrome coatings, which could produce higher quality, more environmentally friendly and economical sanitary fittings. They have been able to achieve this by using artificial intelligence and digital tools. Read the full story here.

University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Austria

• FHOO have shared with the WTUN their upcoming events and conferences which are of interest to WTUN members. You can find the full list of events here.

Australia

University of Newcastle, Australia

• A team of researchers has developed a platform to define the impact of exposure to landscape fire smoke on the heart and lungs. The platform is the first of its kind in the world. Millions of people in Australia, and worldwide, are exposed to bushfire or wildfire smoke which can decrease cardiac function  and increase respiratory or cardiovascular symptoms. Read the full story here.

To discuss joining the Network please contact the WTUN Development Manager
Denise Whitehead
Email: wtun@bradford.ac.uk

University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria have shared with us numerous upcoming events that their institution are involved with, which they feel would be of benefit to WTUN members.

Please see below for details of each event:

Student Opportunities

June 2024

9-24 July: International Summer Academy in Engineering for Women (ISAE4W) 2024

Location: University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Wels, Austria

Important Dates:

• 30 April: Deadline for Applications

Full details here

Conferences & Workshops

May 2024

15-17 May 2024: Cross-Cultural Business Conference 2024
Location: University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Steyr Campus, Austria
Important Dates:

• 7 May: Deadline for Visitor Registration

Full details here

June 2024

9-11 June 2024: NeuroIS Retreat 2024

Location: Hotel Astoria & Hotel Schloss Wilhelmineberg, Vienna Austria

Full details here

11-12 June 2024: ARISE 2024: Austrian Retail Innovation Symposium 2024

Location: University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Steyr, Austria

Important Dates:

• 14 April: Deadline for Abstract Submissions

Full details here

17-20 June 2024: 20th International Conference on Intelligent Environments (IE’24) / 13th International Workshop on Intelligent Environments Supporting Healthcare and Well-being (WISHWell 2024)

Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia / Online (Hybrid)

Important Dates:

• 15 May: Deadline for Non-Author Regular Registration
• 12 June: Deadline for Non-Author late Registration

Full details here

29 June – 4 July: Human Computer Interaction International 

Location: Washington Hilton Hotel, Washington D.C., United States of America / Hybrid (Online)

Important Dates:

• 15 May: Deadline for Registration

Full details here

September 2024

1-4 September: ABIS – International Workshop on Personalization and Recommendation, Mesch & Computer Konferenz

Location: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany

Important Dates:

• 9 July: Registration Opens

Full details here

8-10 September: Expanded Animation 2023 – The Art of Performance

Location: Ars Electronica Center in Linz, Austria

Important Dates:

• July: Registration Opens

Full conference details here (Expanded Animation)

Full festival details here (Ars Electronica)

14-18 September: 18th Conference on Parallel Problem Solving from Nature (PPSN 2024)

Location: University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Hagenberg, Austria

Important Dates:

• June 2024: Regular ticket registration opens

Full details here

Welcome to this month’s roundup of the stories, updates and events happening across the World Technology Universities Network.

WTUN News:

• We have updated the Exchange Programme Case Studies showcased on our website. The new case studies include a visit to enhance capacity to embed of entrepreneurship in curriculum and the development of a test bed for new healthcare technology. Read the cases studies here.
• To aid our members in initiating collaborations and identifying potential themes for collaborations, we have begun to develop a short profile of each of our members on our website. You can view the profiles here:
  • Atlantic Technological University, Ireland
  • Majan University College, Oman
  • National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
  • Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
  • University of Bradford, United Kingdom

WTUN Members ONLY:

• REMINDER! The deadline for entries into the WTUN Student Competition is Thursday 11 April 2024.

News from our Members:

Africa:

Women’s University in Africa, Zimbabwe

• WUA, in partnership with the US Embassy Zimbabwe, hosted a leadership seminar on ‘Women Leading Globally: A Conversation About Leadership’. Watch the full seminar here.

Asia:

King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand

• KMUTT is co-hosting the upcoming Workshop on Agri-PV “Technology Status and Business Opportunities” on 24 April in Bangkok, Thailand. Agri-PV allows the dual-use of farmland to improve resource efficiency, enable synergies to increase productivity of certain crops and PV panels, and protect crops against pests and climate events. Find out more about the workshop here.

Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

• SIT researchers find that giving a blended antioxidant supplement to aged mice improves their cognition and memory, alongside spatial cognition and muscle durability. Antioxidants are known for reducing oxidative stress and prevent age-related health decline. The findings suggest that blended antioxidant supplements could be a promising dietary intervention for age-related health issues. Read the full story here.

National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan

• Professor Yun-Shang Chiou, a sustainable architect at Taiwan Tech, sits down and discusses his take on cultural preservation and revitalising rural communities to deliver sustainable architecture. Professor Chiou discusses the most pressing challenges for sustainable architecture, sharing his approach which focuses on two main components, ‘people and materials’. Read the full story here.

North America:

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada

• SAIT’s Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS) is joining NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) network to provide expertise in materials science, advanced manufacturing, robotics and automation. As one of two test centres in Alberta, the initiative will provide services to support start-ups and entrepreneurs. Read the full story here.

Europe:

Atlantic Technological University, Ireland

• ATU launches projects which turn to nature to tackle 21st century issues:
  • ATU, in partnership with Dublin City University, launches a project looking at marine microorganisms to improve health and wellbeing. The project focuses on microorganisms such as bacteria and the diverse chemicals found in plants and fungi. The marine environment and it’s pharmacological properties ‘hold immense potential to benefit human health’. Read the full story here.
  • The SCORE (Smart Control of the Climate Resilience in European Coastal Cities) Project, led by ATU, is aiming to incorporate citizen science into efforts to monitor coastal areas. Citizens can deposit ‘Smart Pebbles’ on beaches which will be 3D scanned and tracked over time to monitor shoreline variations and beach morphology. Read the full story here.
• ATU launches a free course aimed at the construction industry providing an introduction to lean construction principles, a basic understanding of the methodologies and best practices to improve efficiency, reduce waste and boost productivity in construction projects. The program includes modules such as ‘Construction Waste’ and ‘Lean Management’ and include formats such as video lectures, industry-based interviews and quizzes. Read the full story here.

University of Bradford, United Kingdom

• UOB is hosting an ‘AI Industry Forum’ on Friday 17 May. This year’s theme for the forum is ‘Frontiers of AI Applications’ and will cover three themes; AI for Sustainability & Communities; AI for Innovation; AI & Ethics. The forum is open to national and international partners of the university, local authorities, SMEs and alumni. Find out more here.
• UOB academic, Dr Colins Imoh, visits Atlantic Technological University. During this visit Dr Imoh gave a public lecture to ATU students and developed next steps to work on a collaborative research project with ATU researchers. Read the full story here.

Australia

University of Newcastle, Australia

• UON’s ‘The Minds Changing Lives’ podcast covers the breakthroughs and research from UON academics. Episodes include insight into the resilience-building research and technology that works to combat drought and the pioneering work happening at UON to advance gynaecological cancer research and improve the prognosis for ovarian cancer. Find out more about the podcast here.

To discuss joining the Network please contact the WTUN Development Manager
Denise Whitehead
Email: wtun@bradford.ac.uk

“I was hosted by the Department of Law, Public Service, and Education at Atlantic Technological University in Letterkenny, Ireland. During my stay, I engaged in research and collaboration activities, both on campus and in the community. I had the opportunity to share my knowledge and provide feedback in some classes. I gave a lecture on Peace and Conflict Resolution to final-year law students. Additionally, I met with an environmental group that advocates for a cleaner Donegal and provided insights on making their advocacy more impactful.

One of the highlights of my visit was giving a public lecture on the crisis in Gaza, titled “Building Peace and Justice in a Troubled World – Exploring the Gaza-Israel Conflict” on Tuesday, March 12th. The lecture aimed to understand better the conflict’s roots, the ongoing and evolving humanitarian crisis, and how a peaceful resolution may be found. It was a humbling experience to share my expertise with such a diverse and engaged audience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have made a difference. I received positive feedback from those who attended, and I hope my visit will inspire others to come together and positively impact their communities.”

 

Furthermore, I was invited to give a talk on 21st March 2024, to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The talk focused on the importance of being proactively non-racist instead of just avoiding being racist. The president of ATU was present during the online talk, which was well-received.”

 

Welcome to this month’s roundup of the stories, updates and events happening across the World Technology Universities Network.

WTUN News:

WTUN Members ONLY:

• REMINDER! The deadline for entries into the WTUN Student Competition is Thursday 11 April 2024.

News from our Members:

Africa:

Women’s University in Africa, Zimbabwe

• Professor Sunungurai Dominica Chingarande, Vice-Chancellor at Women’s University in Africa, spoke at an International Women’s Day 2024 event and outlined that despite efforts to invest in women in higher education within Africa, the statistics show that a gap in gender parity still exists. Professor Chingarande spoke to University World News to discuss strategies to support women in academia and what investing in women means to her. Read the full story here.

Asia:

Ahlia University, Bahrain

• Academic staff at Ahlia University engaged in a debate on “AI Will Replace Humans”, held at the 7th Equal Opportunity Conference attended by leaders, academics and industry experts. The debate concluded with strong opposition from the audience with 64% voting against the idea of AI replacing humans. Read the full story here.
• Ahlia University opens a call for papers for the International Conference on Global Economic Revolutions: The Era of the Digital Economy (ICGER). The conference is organised by Ahlia University, and will be held 1-3 October in a hybrid manner. Submissions on the following topics are encouraged; Artificial Intelligence, Business Innovation & Economic Diversification; Artificial Intelligence, Big Data & the Digital Divide; Business Resilience, Circular Economy & Sustainability Governance; Digital Social Equality, Industry 5.0, Society 5.0. Read the full story here.

Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

• SIT held the 18th South East Asian Technical University Consortium Symposium (SEATUC2024). The event was attended by fellow WTUN members; King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Suranaree University of Technology and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Students at member institutions engaged in technical and innovative sessions for an active exchange of information, followed by a discussion on the theme “Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Green Transformation and Digital Transformation Era”. Read the full story here.
• Researchers at SIT present findings on their works:
  • Professor Yuki Oyama from the Department of Civil Engineering presents the ‘Global Local Path Choice’ Model, which is a new method to understand the walkability of cities. Dr Oyama’s innovative model emphasises the influence of visual attributes on the local adaptations of path choices from pedestrians.Read the full story here.
  • Professor Naomi Osakabe and Dr Yasuyuki Fujii share their work on ‘Deciphering the Role of Bitter and Astringent Polyphenols in Promoting Well-Being’. Their work looks at polyphenols, abundant in fruits, vegetables, tea and coffee, and how the mechanisms behind their beneficial health benefits work and interact with human sensory receptors. Read the full story here.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia

• UTM researchers present their stance on best principles and guidance for water management across borders and continental regions. Malaysia, as a nation, is focussing on leveraging water for peace, whilst also engaging in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which works toward peaceful water-sharing across the region. Read here for Malaysia’s perspective on water resource sharing and here for more on the ASEAN cooperation for water management.
• Noting that bridges are increasingly susceptible to structural failures due to natural disasters, UTM hosted a training session with industry engineers on effective structural health monitoring, for guidance on maintaining bridges in a serviceable state. Read the full story here.
• UTM launches pathways for working adults to access higher education. The initiative will recognise work experience and support transitions for professionals aspiring to pursue master and doctoral degrees. Read the full story here.

Europe:

Atlantic Technological University, Ireland

• ATU has secured Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) funding to research energy efficiency in Traveller communities. The project aims to research and demonstrate societal, economic, political and technological factors affecting the implementation of energy efficiency measures in Traveller communities. Read the full story here.
• ATU, in partnership with Trinity College Dublin, is working to revolutionise energy production by developing low-cost materials to facilitate commercial hydrogen production from renewable sources. Read the full story here.

University of Bradford, United Kingdom

• UOB ‘s Digital Health Enterprise Zone benefits from national funding to develop its work supporting business growth, knowledge and skills development by connecting with academics, researchers and health and social care partners. The use of its Technology House, a dedicated simulation space, also contributes to the training of future healthcare professionals. Read the full story here.
• Trials for a new breast cancer test are taking place at the University’s Institute of Cancer Therapeutics. The test, Ran Diagnostics, is undergoing trials to test its efficacy in practice, outside of clinical studies. If successful, the test will help to cut on costs and personalise cancer treatment for patients by predicting those at risk of their cancer spreading through a quick and accurate test. Read the full story here.

Technische Universität Ilmenau, Germany

• TU Ilmenau are participating in a project that develops new courses on sustainability topics and provides support for lecturers to implement the sustainability goals in their teaching within Engineering. Read the full story here.

Australia

University of Newcastle, Australia

• UON welcomes their new Chancellor, The Hon. Patricia Forsythe with an Investiture Ceremony. Chancellor Forsythe is an alumna of the University and is passionate about equity and the belief that education can transform lives. Read the full story here.
• UON’s ‘Field Epidemoiology in Action’ programme has been awarded $7.5M AUD in funding. The program works to improve health by training local health professionals in the Pacific how to investigate and respond rapidly to health threats. Read the full story here.

To discuss joining the Network please contact the WTUN Development Manager
Denise Whitehead
Email: wtun@bradford.ac.uk

WTUN for World Engineering Day 

Throughout the week commencing 4 March 2024 the WTUN convened a series of online events to mark mark World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development 2024

The full schedule including speaker biographies can be found here: WTUN for World Engineering Day Schedule

WED is an opportunity to celebrate engineering and the contribution of the world’s engineers for a better, sustainable world. This year’s theme is “Engineering Solutions for a Sustainable World”

Recordings for each session are now available

Monday 4 March: 

Tuesday 5 March:

Thursday 7 March:

With special thanks to: 

Welcome to this month’s roundup of the stories, updates and events happening across the World Technology Universities Network.

WTUN News:

• The WTUN hosted a series of events during the week 4-8 March to mark UNESCO’s World Engineering Day. We would like to thank all of the speakers for their participation. Missed the live events? Watch back here or the WTUN YouTube Channel

WTUN Members ONLY:

• REMINDER! The deadline to submit proposals to the WTUN Exchange Programme 2024 is Thursday 21 March 2024

News from our Members:

Asia:

Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

• Researchers at SIT have developed a novel AI-based noise suppression system for more effective victim detection by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) during natural disasters. Current UAVs depend on visual information and are unable to detect victims trapped under rubble as their propellers can drown out human sounds. Read the full story here.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia

• The Geoscience and Digital Earth Centre -INSTeG at UTM is using Earth Observation Satellite (EOS) data and geospatial modeling for coastal zone management. The main focus is to monitor the seagrass habitat in the Straits of Johor to conserve the dugong population, which is already classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Read the full story here.

North America:

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada

• SAIT’s Director of Indigenous Engagement, Jennifer Russell (Sik’see na ki) reflects on International Women’s Day, safety for Indigenous Women and the historical and present-day power of Indigenous women in Canada. Read the full story here. 
• SAIT launches a post-diploma certificate program in Artificial Intelligence to teach students how to integrate AI into existing skillsets. The program will focus on AI tools like ChatGPT and CoPilot whilst examining the implications and responsible practices of AI. Read the full story here.

South America:

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

• UFRN participated in the collaboration of the National Institute of Science and Technology – Klimapolis to prepare Brazilian urban areas for climate change, address environmental problems and improve the quality of life of the population, in coastal cities such as Natal in Rio Grande do Norte. Read the full story here.

Europe:

Atlantic Technological University, Ireland

• ATU hosted an Engineering Fair at their Sligo campus. The fair was organised in collaboration with Engineers Ireland NW and a global healthcare leader, Abbott, offering a wide range of performances, workshops, and demonstrations for families to enjoy. The Abbott’s Engineering Room, allowed attendees to get hands-on experience with various aspects of STEM disciplines. Read the full story here.
• The latest edition of ATU’s Magazine is now out with a great story around ATU’s WiSTEM Society which aims to empower Women in STEM (pages 22-23). The Society is headed by Dr Anurshree Dwivedi also spoke at our WTUN for World Engineering Day Event, ‘Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in STEM’. Read the ATU Magazine, Issue 12 here.

University of Bradford, United Kingdom

• UOB launches a £1.9 million project named SIBLING (Scientific Instrumentation for Business Leadership in Innovation and Growth) will provide SMEs with scientific equipment in the University’s centres and laboratories. SIBLING will deliver 45 fully-funded research and innovation projects between September 2023 and March 2025. Read the full story here.

To discuss joining the Network please contact the WTUN Development Manager
Denise Whitehead
Email: wtun@bradford.ac.uk

Welcome to this month’s roundup of the stories, updates and events happening across the World Technology Universities Network.

WTUN News:

• We have welcomed our newest member, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) based in Calgary, Canada. SAIT is a national leader in applied research and development expertise and is committed o sustainable research and innovation. Read the full press release here: Read SAIT Press Release

WTUN Members ONLY:

• WTUN for UNESCO’s World Engineering Day programme is available to view. We have confirmed three sessions with a full lineup of speakers. You can view the schedule here: View World Engineering Day Programme
  • Monday 4 March: ‘Latest developments in Energy Storage and Conversion’ hosted by Dr Christina Toigo, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria
  • Tuesday 5 March: ‘Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in STEM’ hosted by Professor Ami Agrawal, Hindustan Institute of Technology and science
  • Thursday 7 March: ‘ Theory into Practice: Addressing the Water-Energy-Health-Environment (WEHE) Nexus’ hosted by Professor Iqbal Mujtaba, University of Bradford
• You can book your place to attend any of the events here: Book your place

Member Institution News:

Asia:

Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, India

• HITS hosts ‘International Conference on Integration and Transformation with SDGs’ on the 15 & 16 April 2024. “ICITS 2024 is an essential platform for defining and reaffirming the mutually beneficial responsibilities that National and International academia…play in realizing the SDGs by 2030. This conference will jointly design strategies, harness new solutions and create collaborations to enable the unstoppable movement essential for sustainable development. Find out more about ICITS 2024.
• HITS hosted colleagues from fellow WTUN members University of Newcastle, Australia to initiate research and academic collaboration and remain committed to providing global education to their students. Read more here.
• HITS unveils two new state-of-the-art labs for Aerospace Engineering and kicks off a 3-day national workshop on Advances in Aerospace Structural Design with guests from the Indian Government’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and their Naval Science and Technology Laboratory (NSTL). Read more here.

Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

• Researchers at SIT “present a unique wearable device that can provide personal thermal control, while also being lightweight, compact, and stylish”. The device aims to support body temperature management, offer thermotherapy and act as an alternative to liquid cooling garments for race car drivers, surgeons, chemotherapy and multiple sclerosis patients, and athletes. Read the full story here.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia

• UTM is one of three universities to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for research on environment conservation with Gamuda Land. “Gamuda Parks and UTM will work together to connect academia and the industry through the sharing of space, materials, equipment, and facilities for teaching, learning and lifelong education.” Read the full story here.

North America:

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada

• Welcoming SAIT, the newest WTUN member, by introducing their research centres:
  • Centre for Innovation and Research in Advanced Manufacturing and Materials – Read more about this centre here
  • Centre for Energy Research and Clean Unconventional Technology Solutions – Read more about this centre here
  • Green Building Technologies – Read more about this centre here
• SAIT’s Expert in Residence, Dr. Bill Rankin, offered his thoughts on the human side of Artificial Intelligence back in November 2023. He discussed safeguarding the voices of equity-seeking groups as AI tools become more prevalent. Read the article here.

Europe:

Atlantic Technological University, Ireland

• ATU researchers show off their findings:
  • Prof Suresh C. Pillai, WTUN Exchange Programme Recipient 2022-23, has partnered with Trinity College Dublin the Nano2H2 project, which addresses three key aspects – energy production, waste management, and environmental protection – to promote circular economy. Read more here.
  • ATU’s Dr Marion McAfee is making waves in the world of personalised medicine through groundbreaking 3D printing research. The project focuses on advancing healthcare solutions for the ageing population by utilising 3D printing to create personalised medicine.  Read more here.
• On 21 February, ATU hosted its inaugural TEDx event on its Donegal Letterkenny campus, under the theme “Seeing the Light.” The lineup included writers, robotics experts, theatre designers and business leaders. Read more here.
• ATU takes part in an initiative to introduce higher education courses for students with intellectual disabilities, marking a significant stride towards inclusivity and equal opportunities in education. Read the full press release here.
• ATU launches the Local Energy Agencies in Peripheral Regions (LEAP) project. The launch event brought together experts and stakeholders from across the energy sector to discuss strategies for energy retrofitting and achieving Ireland’s Climate Action Plan targets. Read more here.

University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Austria

• FHOO student, Patricia, shares her experience attending fellow WTUN member Suranaree University of Technology’s Global Entrepreneurship Camp. Read more here.
• FHOO’s International Summer Academy in Engineering for Women 2024 with a theme of Empowering Female Engineers is still open for applications. Female Engineering students between 18-25 are invited to apply to the Academy, taking place 9-24 July 2024. Successful applicants will be given the opportunity to broaden their technical and scientific knowledge, explore the impact of technology on future societies and network and connect with peers across the world. Read more here.

University of Bradford, United Kingdom

• A revolutionary method of assessing transplant organs developed at the University of Bradford has been named as a finalist for a major National Health Service (NHS) award. Organ Quality Assessment  (OrQA) will employ artificial intelligence-based facial recognition technology to ‘score’ potential transplant organs, saving money, time and potentially lives. Read the full story here.

Australia:

University of Newcastle, Australia

• 7 UoN researchers have secured $10.6m AUD to improve the health of the Australian population. Awarded projects include topics such as young people’s mental health, sustainable chronic disease prevention and digital health interventions. Read the full story here.
• UoN launches the Central Coast Health & Wellbeing Living Lab. “The Lab presents a unique opportunity for older people to work alongside our University as well as healthcare and aged-care providers to test and deliver solutions to four core challenges our older people face: community connectivity, technology-enabled homes, care at home and preventative technology.” Read the full story here.

To discuss joining the Network please contact the WTUN Development Manager
Denise Whitehead
Email: wtun@bradford.ac.uk

The World Technology Universities Network is delighted to announce the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is joining the World Technology Universities Network (WTUN). Professor Shirley Congdon, Chair WTUN, and the whole of the Network welcome Dr. David Ross, SAIT President and CEO, Mark Butler, Vice President, Corporate Development, Applied Research and International, and their colleagues to the WTUN, its Boards and programmes.

The WTUN’s diverse membership is united by a commitment to the inclusive advancement of sustainable scientific and technology teaching and research; each demonstrating a commitment to truly equitable innovation for the benefit of people and place.

“SAIT brings with it distinctive benefits and strengths…including applied research and development expertise…”

“We are delighted to welcome the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology as member of the Network. SAIT brings with it distinctive benefits and strengths to the WTUN, including demonstrated, deep-rooted applied research and development expertise,” says Professor Congdon. “We believe that they complement our existing membership and will expand the regional impact and opportunities for truly global collaboration on the challenges that the WTUN has committed to addressing.”

History

Established in 1916 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, SAIT was the first publicly funded technical institute in North America and is the second oldest post-secondary institution in Calgary. One of Canada’s top applied research colleges, SAIT has 77,000 square feet of specialized research labs and facilities, and full-time research staff dedicated to providing services organizations need to take their products from concept to prototype.

SAIT’s Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS) department engages in industry-driven research across a wide knowledge base in four distinct areas:

• Green Building Technologies (GBT)
• Centre for Innovation and Research in Advanced Manufacturing and Materials (CIRAMM)
• Centre for Innovation and Research in Unmanned Systems (CIRUS)
• Centre for Energy Research and Clean Unconventional Technology Solutions (CERCUTS)

As a national leader in applied research, SAIT’s values and commitment to collaboration through the cultivation of skills, driving innovations and the advancement of economic and environmental efforts, locally and globally, align with the WTUN’s vision and that of its existing members. We believe their membership will be a great benefit to the Network.

“[SAIT’s]…commitment to sustainable research and innovation aligns with the goals set by the WTUN…”

“SAIT is excited to explore this new opportunity for collaboration through this diverse network of technology-focused post-secondary institutions. Our commitment to sustainable research and innovation aligns with the goals set by the WTUN to share knowledge and best practices to support building capacity in technology and education,” says Butler. “The opportunity will continue to advance SAIT’s commitment to excellence while broadening our community’s worldview.”

More about SAIT

Established in 1916, SAIT was the first of its kind, publicly funded technical school in North America. As a global leader in applied education and research — serving nearly 40,000 students annually — SAIT offers certificate, diploma, post diploma, apprenticeship and applied degree programs, baccalaureate degrees, corporate training and more than 1,000 continuing education courses, along with six dedicated, award-winning areas of research and capacity for new and emerging research. Curriculum and research priorities are developed through industry partnerships to ensure graduates have the skills and knowledge required to fulfill the demand for talent. SAIT is honoured to be recognized by Mediacorp Canada Inc. as one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2023,  and to be ranked sixth by Research Infosource Inc. in the Top 50 Research Colleges in Canada for 2023. CEOWORLD Magazine ranked the SAIT School of Business #51 on the list of Best Business Schools in the World for 2023, and the School of Hospitality and Tourism placed #15 on their list of Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in the World — the only Canadian school listed — for 2023.

Connect with SAIT

facebook.com/SAIT                            twitter.com/SAIT                     instagram.com/SAIT

The WTUN invites prospective members who share a commitment to the values of the Network. We have committed as a network to focus on guiding principles of sustainability and inclusivity. The WTUN is a signatory of the SDG Accord, the University and College Sector’s collective response to the Global Goals (www.sdgaccord.org) and the UN SDGs underpin and inform many of the Network’s priorities and activities.

linkedin.com                                                     twitter.com/wtu_network

For more information about the WTUN including applying for membership please contact Development Manager, Denise Whitehead at wtun@bradford.ac.uk