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WTUN Newsletter – January 2025

Happy New Year from the World Technology Universities Network! We are looking forward to a fantastic year ahead with our WTUN Member Institutions, friends and colleagues.

Welcome to this month’s roundup of updates and events happening across the network.



Looking back on 2024

2024 was a busy year for the World Technology Universities Network, full of new members, accomplishments, and interesting initiatives. Look at our year in numbers:

3 New Members

The WTUN welcomed members from Canada (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology), the Philippines (Mindanao State University) and India (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology).

8 Online Events

With contributions from colleagues across the network, we have held events to share knowledge and commemorate global events such as International Day of Clean Energy and World Engineering Day and International Women in Engineering Day.

13 Members at WTUC2024

The 2024 World Technology Universities Congress was hosted by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Johor Bahru under the theme of Alliances for Diplomacy: Harnessing University Collaborations for Planetary Health’. The 2024 Congress convened colleagues from 13 of our member institutions; Atlantic Technological University, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Majan University College, Mindanao State University, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Suranaree University of Technology, Thaksin University, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, University of Bradford, and hosts of WTUC2024, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

The 2024 Congress was chaired by WTUN Chair Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of University of Bradford. We would like to thank each of our WTUN Congress speakers who can be found here: 2024 Congress Speakers.

Finally, we’d like to thank Professor Datuk TS. Ir. Dr. Siti Hamisah Tapsir, Group CEO; University Vice-Chancellor UCSI University, Malaysia, for her contributions as our Guest Lecturer for the 2024 WTUN Annual Lecture. The Lecture can be watched back here: 2024 WTUN Annual Lecture.

We look forward to a successful 2025 with your continued support and participation.


Apply now to the WTUN Exchange Programme 2024-25

The WTUN Exchange Programme 2024-25 is now open for applications.

This year, 18 grants of £2,000 are available for academic and professional services staff members and PhD students to visit another WTUN member institution.

This year, proposals are encouraged within focus areas including Gender Equality, Sustainable Cities and Communities and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Please note: Each WTUN member institution is only permitted to submit two proposals. Therefore, each application must be approved by the sending institution’s Operational Board Member.

The deadline for applications is Thursday 20 March 2025*.

Find out more about eligible collaborative activities and how to apply here: https://www.wtu-n.net/exchanges/

*Internal deadlines may apply.


WTUN for International Day of Clean Energy

The WTUN has shared a call for speakers for a proposed online event on Tuesday 28 January between 12:00-15:00 (GMT).

Any colleagues who wish to contribute to this session under the theme of “Affordable and Clean Energy” (SDG7), are invited to submit a brief abstract of their intended talk.

Deadline for EOI and Abstracts: Monday 20 January 2025

Email your EOI/abstract to wtun@bradford.ac.uk.


WTUN Student Competition 2024-25 is now live!

We are pleased to announce the launch of this year’s Student Competition. For 2024-25, students will work together to address the theme ‘Sustainable Innovation for Planetary Health – Local Solutions for Global Problems’.

Working in teams of 2-4, students are tasked to produce a new, sustainable and innovative solution to address their chosen UN SDG(s).

Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, extra points will be awarded to inter-disciplinary teams.

Deadline: Thursday 10 April 2025

See here for full details and how to enter.



Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology

Bhubaneswar, India

Hear from Jen Webb, Professor from University of Canberra and Dr David Anshin, University of Texas, on their experiences as visiting academics to KIIT.

Professor Subasis Ghosh, from the Kalinga School of Management, shares how KIIT connects its students with industry and alumni pioneers for transformative learning.

Interested in visiting KIIT? Apply for the WTUN Exchange Programme 2024-25 for a £2,000 grant to support facilitation of collaborative works between you and a KIIT colleague.

You can find out more about KIIT, including contact information, on their WTUN Profile.


King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi

King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi

Bangkok, Thailand

KMUTT will celebrate their 65th anniversary this year under the theme “65 Years of Wisdom: Crafting Sustainable Futures”.

They will be celebrating this milestone through events throughout 2025 including academic conferences and international collaborations.

In the meantime, view the official logo to commemorate their 65th anniversary here.


Mindanao State University

Mindanao, Philippines

MSU’s University Newsletter is now available including reflections on the 12th AICIF forwarding the role of Islamic Finance for a better world.

Read the Newsletter here.


Shibaura Institute of Technology

Shibaura Institute of Technology

Tokyo, Japan

Catch up on the latest research from SIT colleagues:

  • Professor Shinya Inazumi looks to integreate ground source heat pump systems with energy piles for smarter cities. Read here.
  • Associate Professor Yoshihisa Hirota and Professor Seiji Komeda explore treating prostate cancer with new platinum complexes. Read here.
  • Professor Naomi Osakabe uncovers how everyday foods regulate glucose levels in the gut, improving health management. Read here.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Dr A Koglia Vani, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Centre full member, shares her three step framework which advises year-round preparation and training for personnel to support “ready-to-go” flood responses.

Read the article here.


Atlantic Technological University

Atlantic Technological University

Multi-Campus, Ireland

ATU researchers, led by Dr. José M. Fariñas-Franco, contributed to a global study on the collapse of native oyster reefs, featured in BBC Wildlife Magazine. Highlighting international collaboration, the project combined cutting-edge marine technology and ecological expertise to document the native oyster habitats off Ireland’s coast. Read more here.

A new open-access digital book, Lakes in Ireland – Mirrors of Change, showcases the vital role of Ireland’s lakes. The publication features contributions from ATU researchers Dr. Heather Lally, Dr. Emma Gray, and Professor Frances Lucy, who co-authored chapters on lake biodiversity and invasive aquatic species. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research in addressing environmental challenges facing Ireland’s lakes. Read more here.


Technische Universität Ilmenau

Technische Universität Ilmenau

Ilmenau, Germany

TU Ilmenau celebrates an upgraded Virtual Reality Lab, supported by Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technologies. TU Ilmenau’s state-of-the-art Virtual Reality Lab features 77 loudspeakers for realistic acoustic simulations. As part of the I3TC, it offers cutting-edge resources for immersive technology research and invites collaborations with industry and academia to advance VR/AR and spatial audio innovations.

Read more here.


University of Bradford

Bradford, United Kingdom

UOB has shared their Research and Innovation Annual Report 2023/24, showcasing their most recent research projects and insights into the areas of expertise that Bradford leads on.

Read the full report here.

A shorter article summarises 10 of recent research and innovation projects from the university that will change the world for the better. Read the article here.

 

The University of Bradford has appointed a new Operational Board Member: Professor Sherif El-Khamisy, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement. 


All members are invited to contribute to this newsletter through their Operational Board Member (found here). Please contact your Operational Board member with stories or events which will be of relevance to the shared vision and commitments of the WTUN and its members, inspiring opportunity for engagement on commonalities, sharing knowledge, or collaboration.

All calls for content can be shared with the WTUN Secretariat at wtun@bradford.ac.uk. 


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


 

© World Technology Universities Network 2025