WTUN Newsletter – March 2025 – World Technology Universities Network

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

WTUN for International Day of Zero Waste 2025 – Call for Speakers!

We invite WTUN colleagues to speak at our upcoming event to commemorate International Day of Zero Waste under the theme ‘Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles’.

All EOIs must be completed online, using our form found here: https://forms.office.com/e/ggBH9DUs7v

Those interested have until Tuesday 18 March 2025 to submit their EOI for consideration for this event.

About International Day of Zero Waste:

“Humanity’s unsustainable production and consumption practices are driving the planet towards destruction.

Households, small businesses and public service providers generate between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tons of municipal solid waste every year – from packaging and electronics to plastics and food. However, global waste management services are ill-equipped to handle this, with 2.7 billion people lacking access to solid waste collection and only 61-62 per cent of municipal solid waste being managed in controlled facilities. Humanity must act urgently to address the waste crisis.”

This year’s International Day of Zero Waste emphasizes the need for action in the fashion and textile sector to reduce waste and advance circular solutions: Towards zero waste in fashion and textiles.

The rapid growth in textiles production and consumption is outpacing sustainability efforts in the sector, causing severe environmental, economic, and social impacts, particularly in the Global South. Clothing production doubled from 2000 to 2015 and yet, 92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced globally. This equates to a garbage truck full of clothing incinerated or sent to landfills every second.” Source: zero-waste-day.

In case you missed it: WTUN for World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development 2025

Watch the WTUN for World Engineering Day hosted by Ahlia University online event on replay now: https://youtu.be/Rp1qIXQwWGE?feature=shared

During this informative and insightful session, colleagues from across the network explored “Internet of Things (IoT) for Smart and Sustainable Cities”. The presentations covered utilizing IoT in the following areas:

Optimising urban water use, cutting leaks and non-revenue water loss (Dr Aldallal)
Powering our cities through the use of 5G (Dr Ramadan)
Driving intelligent transport and logistics within our cities (Dr Jedidi)
Creating digital twin models to maximise efficient community heat networks (Dr Scrimieri)

Sincere thanks to WTUN members Ahlia University and the College of Engineering for hosting this event. Thanks go to the Chair and each speaker for their contributions:

Professor Yousif Albastaki, Ahlia University
Dr Ammar Aldallal, Ahlia University
Dr Khaled Ramadan, Ahlia University
Dr Ahmed Jedidi, Ahlia University
Dr Daniele Scrimieri, University of Bradford

Reflecting on Workshop 1 of the WTUN-ASEP 2025

The first workshop in the WTUN-Accelerated Student Entrepreneurship Programme 2025 concluded just over 2 weeks ago. As participants have returned to their home institutions with time to reflect on the intensive 5-day entrepreneurship workshop, they have shared their experiences online:

“Over five intensive days, they engaged in a transformative experience—developing innovative business ideas, participating in high-energy brainstorming sessions, and confidently pitching their projects to a panel of three expert judges, in a setting similar to the world-renowned Dragons’ Den!”

Majan University College and the experiences of participating students and Ms Mazoon Al Zadjali, Deputy Head of Students Services & Guidance. Read more on LinkedIn (external link).

Brown haired female student with blue top is talking with a male professor in a pink shirt, sat at a round table. — Khaing Ngwe Thin with Prof. Paul Thorning

Khaing Ngwe Ngwe Thin, from Suranaree University of Technology, shares her experience in the first workshop:

“It has been one of the most insightful experiences I’ve ever had by exploring potential collaborations, learning, cultural exchange and networking with entrepreneurial-minded youths around the world.”

Collaborating internationally via the WTUN Exchange Programme

The recipients of the 2023/24 WTUN Exchange Programme are finalising their visits and preparing their impact summary reports to share their experiences and progress in newfound collaborations.

Dr Esra AlDhaen from Ahlia University is one of the most recent recipients to complete her exchange visit to University of Bradford, hosted by Dr Amizan Omar, Associate Professor in Strategic Management at the School of Management.

During her visit, Esra shared insights with final-year undergraduate students at University of Bradford on demonstrating impact aligned with the SDGs, answering the question posed by host Dr Amizan Omar “How can academic research translate into tangible progress on sustainability challenges?” Read a summary the seminar given by Dr AlDhaen to a group of final-year undergraduate students at the University of Bradford via this post on LinkedIn.

Students listening to a lecture from a woman in denim jacket and black trousers. — Dr Esra AlDhaen delivers a talk to University of Bradford students.

Key themes from the discussion included:

The significance of research impact – Moving beyond theoretical exploration to influence policy and practice.
Integrating SDGs into academic research – Identifying relevant SDGs and embedding them meaningfully into research methodologies.
Demonstrating real-world impact – Exploring strategies to translate research findings into actionable change.

Dr AlDhaen also presented strategies for maximising visibility and real-world influence for meaningful engagement from policymakers, industry leaders and fellow researchers. A summary of these discussions were shared here.

Each WTUN Exchange Programme participant is required to Post-Exchange Summary and Impact Report. The WTUN Secretariat is collating these and will share via case studies on our website here: https://www.wtu-n.net/case-studies/

Interested in applying for funding? Applications for our 2024/25 Exchange Programme close on 20 March 2025*. Find out more here: https://www.wtu-n.net.com/exchanges/

*Internal deadlines may apply.

WTUN Student Competition 2025 – Will your students tackle this year’s challenge?

The WTUN Student Competition 2025 is open for submissions until 10 April 2025: https://www.wtu-n.net/student-competition/

This year, students are asked to propose an innovative solution which addresses “Sustainable Innovation for Planetary Health – Local Solutions for Global Problems”.

All proposals are presented in video format, accompanied by a written application, and must address the UN’s SDGs as well as demonstrate public engagement, measurable societal impact, cost-efficiency and deliverability. Bonus points are awarded to multidisciplinary teams and proposing solutions which can be applied to another geographical area of a fellow WTUN member.

Winners are showcased on our website and provided with a cash prize.

In case your students need some inspiration, revisit the 2024 winners here: https://www.wtu-n.net/2024/05/student-competition-2024-the-winners/

Looking ahead to WTUC2025

7 months to go until WTUN members unite at World Technology Universities Congress 2025, hosted by Thaksin University in Songkhla, Thailand in October 2025.

This year’s theme is “The Glocalization: Functional Role of Higher Education from Local to Global.”

Thaksin University is currently consulting Operational Board members to finalise the subthemes and agenda for this upcoming congress. In the meantime, to learn more about Thaksin University and this year’s theme, watch the below video: https://youtu.be/0MRYmwZjFv4

International Green Gown Awards 2025: Applications Open

The International Green Gown Awards are supported by UN Environment Programme and are open to any university or college across the world.
Now in their 11th year, applications are now open and close on 28 April 2025 at 12:00 UTC.

Winners will be announced in October.

Recognising exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by the world’s universities and colleges, the International Green Gown Awards set the bar and put every learning institution at the heart of delivering the UN Global Goals.
https://www.greengownawards.org/international-green-gown-awards

Please note: If your institution is in the UK & Ireland or Australasian regional chapters, you can only apply via the regional route and cannot apply directly to any of the International Green Gown Awards categories.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Johor Bahru, Malaysia

UTM shares the 15th Issue of their UTM Nexus Magazine, highlighting their institutional research updates. The 15th issue explores the theme of Planetary Health, which was echoed in the theme of the World Technology Universities Congress 2024, hosted by UTM, “Alliances for Diplomacy: Harnessing University Collaborations for Planetary Health.”

In this magazine, read updates on powering sustainability via energy benchmarking and the UTM Research & Innovation Blueprint 2030: https://research.utm.my/nexusmagazine/.

WTUN Member Summer & Winter School Opportunities

Thank you to members who have shared details of upcoming Summer/Winter mobility opportunities open to applications from WTUN member university students. The WTUN will share details in this newsletter.

If your university offers programmes that you wish to promote, please complete the circulated form: WTUN – Member Summer/Winter School Opportunities

WTUN Member: University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria

Programme Name: International Summer Academy in Engineering for Women (ISAE4W)

Eligibility/Participants: Female engineering students aged 18-25

Programme Dates: 8-23 July 2025

Deadline for Applications: 30 April 2025

Programme Fee: € 920 (EURO) – including tuition fees, room for the entire stay, meals on weekdays (weekends are free for individual activities), numerous field trips.

Lead Faculty or School: School of Engineering

Contact: Kamilla Trubicki

Email: isae4w@fh-ooe.at

Webpage: www.fh-ooe.at/isae4w

Overview: The International Summer Academy for Women in Engineering (ISAE4W) offers an ideal opportunity for a selected group of highly-motivated and talented women (high school, college or undergraduate students) to experience top-class and challenging university-level coursework.

The Academy’s intensive, two and a half week program combines sophisticated theory with hands-on practical experience in engineering and natural sciences. In addition to knowledge transfer in these fields, social, cross-cultural and gender aspects are covered and discussed during lectures and workshops.

A team of highly qualified academic staff from our university as well as from other universities and organisations will provide scientific and technical background on workshop topics and information about the role of women in science and their opportunities in scientific careers.

WTUN Member: Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences

Programme Name: The Business of German Engineering

Eligibility/Participants: Any enrolled student with interest in engineering and business. English language qualifications are required.

Programme Dates: 6-19 July 2025

Deadline for Applications: 15 April 2025

Programme Fee: € 1800 (EURO) – including lectures, company visits, accomodation, socio-cultural activities and transportation within the programme. HSHL can offer a limited number of scholarships.

Lead Faculty or School: School of Engineering

Contact: Katia Yashchuk

Email: summerschool@hshl.de

Webpage: https://summerschool.hshl.de/

Flyer: https://summerschool.hshl.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/HSHL_Summer-School-Flyer_2025.pdf

Overview: By combining science, business, and culture, the English-speaking academic program offers a versatile learning experience. Participants gain insights into innovative technological developments in the field of applied engineering and beyond through daily lectures, followed by visits of successful middle-sized companies in the region. Interdisciplinary seminars and social activities round up the program.

Coming Soon:

WTUN Member: University of Newcastle

Programme Name: Summer Down Under 2026

Eligibility/Participants: Undergraduate students in Business, Engineering and Science

Programme Dates: Late May to Early August, 2026

Overview: Summer Down Under 2026 – The University of Newcastle has announced a reform of its calendar, shifting the start and end dates of its two main semesters. In practical terms, this means that the mid-year break (Australian winter / Northern hemisphere summer) will be extended. This new mid-year break will start the last week of May and run through to early August, providing 9 solid weeks of short-term programming and intensive modules. Planning is currently underway to provide a range of programs relevant to UG cohorts in Business, Engineering and Science, alongside guaranteed on-campus housing.

Deadline for application(s), programme fees and full details will be shared in future newsletters.

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