Welcome to the latest edition of the WTUN newsletter featuring a roundup of news, updates and events happening across the network.
Below you will find the replay to the recent WTUN for International Day of Zero Waste event, a reminder that the WTUN is going to FAUBAI, and an introduction to the ‘Who’s who’ at the WTUN’s member universities.
As always, if you would like to share news, updates, events or milestones via this newsletter, then please contact wtun@bradford.ac.uk.
Connect with the WTUN at FAUBAI 2025
WTUN Development Manager, Denise Whitehead is attending FAUBAI – Associação Brasileira de Educação Internacional Conference in Brasilia later this month alongside Professor Bruno Motta de Carvalho, WTUN Operational Board member, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN)
“I am looking forward to representing the WTUN and its members at FAUBAI 2025 for the first time. The theme “Towards Equitable and Sustainable Partnerships” aligns perfectly with the WTUN’s mission and I can’t wait to discuss opportunities for impactful collaboration with universities from Brazil, across LATAM/C and beyond!”
Denise Whitehead, WTUN Development Manager
If WTUN members have any connections or suggestions of universities from Brazil and the wider region that may wish to meet to discuss the WTUN then please consider an introduction via wtun@bradford.ac.uk
WTUN Exchange Programme 2024-25
The deadline for proposals in application to this year’s WTUN Exchange Programme has now passed. There was a total of 21 fully completed proposal submitted from 13 member universities, making this year the most competitive yet.
Each proposal will now be assessed by two members of the assessment panel. Assessment is due for completion by 18 April and we hope to communicate the outcome to all applicants by the end of April.
Thank you to all who supported this programme and good luck to all who have submitted a proposal.
In case you missed it: WTUN for International Day of Zero Waste 2025
Watch the replay of our online event for International Day of Zero Waste 2025 now:
Thank you to Professor Charlou Bautista, Mindanao State University and Dr Helen Maguire, Atlantic Technological University joined us for this online event to mark International Day of Zero Waste and each presented their work relating to this year’s theme, “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles”:
Professor Charlou Bautista: “NeoRanao: Stitching Sustainability Through Circular Solutions”
Dr Helen Maguire: “Clothing Repair as a Climate Act”
Further thanks go to Dr James Innes from the University of Bradford for chairing the session and facilitating the thought-provoking discussions. The event was well attending with more than 30 attendees watching live.
If you are interested in participating in an online event with the WTUN, please get in touch at wtun@bradford.ac.uk. We have collated a list of upcoming, international observance dates to spark inspiration for interested colleagues:
- World Environment Day – 05 June
- World Ocean Day – 08 June
- International Women in Engineering Day – 23 June
Who’s who at the World Technology Universities Network?
The World Technology Universities Network boasts a membership of 20 technological-focused institutions located across the world
As a network, we aim to foster international collaboration and knowledge sharing, providing our members with exclusive access to activities, platforms, and support to begin interdisciplinary research and teaching initiatives with international reach.
We will resume sharing our “Member in the Spotlight” articles shortly, highlighting the teaching, research, and missions of our member institutions. In the meantime, get to know one of our newest members, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (Calgary, Canada) who joined the network in February 2024,
We spoke to their Operational Board member, Mark Butler, Vice President for Corporate Development, Applied Research and International, to learn more about SAIT and its campus.
Read the article here: “Getting to know SAIT”
WTUN Student Competition 2025: Final day to apply!
A reminder that the deadline for teams to enter this year’s competition Sustainable Innovation for Planetary Health – Local Solutions for Global Problems is Thursday 10 April 11.59pm (GMT+1)
Apply here: https://www.wtu-n.net/student-competition/
Best of luck to all the teams!
WTUN Brian Cantor Scholarship Prize 2025
The WTUN BC Scholarship Prize 2024-25 is live and accepting applications.
The BC prize is intended to recognise cutting-edge, challenge-led research with direct benefits to people and society.
It is awarded to students conducting research that demonstrates alignment with the WTUN’s vision of providing education for the next generation of global citizens who will have to respond to the word’s 21st century challenges and to assist students to pursue their research or career.
Eligibility:
WTUN member universities can submit a maximum of 2 applications each year.
The prize is open to students in any discipline at any of the WTUN’s member institutions, currently studying for their PhD or Masters by Research at the deadline for application.
For full eligibility and application details, please visit our webpage here.
Learn more about the Prize’s previous recipients:
Now in its third year, the WTUN has previously awarded the Prize to two WTUN PhD students for their cutting-edge, impactful research:
2022/23 Recipient:
Theresa Heering, PhD Candidate Coventry University*
Research title: ‘The increased prevalence of childhood anterior cruciate ligament injuries – Identifying those at risk’.
Theresa’s application to the BC Scholarship Prize was highly regarded by the assessment panel who each noted that it “demonstrates global collaboration and aligns with the SDG goals and WTUN vision” and that the accompanying endorsement from industry and academics at both institutions is “indicative of the quality and potential impact”.
Read our interview with Theresa here.
*Former WTUN member.
2023/24 Recipient:
Nadiia Sadova, PhD Candidate, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria
Nadiia’s research interests include immunoassays for inflammatory and stress biomarkers and intestinal function and oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster (Common fruit fly).
Among this year’s entries, Nadiia’s entry was highly regarded by the assessment panel who agreed that her application and work best demonstrated a commitment to cutting-edge, challenge led research which will have direct benefit to people and society. The panel also noted the accompanying endorsement from an industry expert.
Read our interview with Nadiia here.
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.
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.
International Green Gown Awards 2025 – Closing Soon!
The International Green Gown Awards are supported by UN Environment Programme and are open to any university or college across the world. 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.
Application Deadline: 28 April 2025 at 12:00 (UTC)
UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards 2025
The 2025 UK and Ireland Green Gown awards are delivered by EAUC in association with UKRI. This year’s awards will recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives taking place across the post-16 education sector.
Institutions can enter multiple projects for consideration, but each project can only be entered into one category.
Application Deadline: 5 June 2025 NOON
This year’s categories include themes on benefitting society, campus health, food and drink, creating impact, and digital futures.
Australian Green Gown Awards 2025
Organisational categories are open to any tertiary education establishment – including all post-16 educational institutions such as universities, colleges, TAFE, Polytechnics and learning and skills institutions. Individual categories are open to staff and students of ACTS member organisations.
8 categories are linked to the International Green Gown Awards.
Application Deadline: 29 MAY 2025
Do you know someone in your university who would be interested in this newsletter? Forward the email to colleagues or share the link with your networks.
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