Welcome to the latest edition of the WTUN newsletter featuring a roundup of news, updates and events happening across the network.
Below you will read about our upcoming online lectures and a call for speakers for an upcoming event to mark International Women in Engineering Day, and a call for speakers to participate in this year’s Annual Congress (WTUC2025) hosted by Thaksin University in Thailand.
As always, if you would like to share news, updates, events or milestones via this newsletter, then please contact wtun@bradford.ac.uk.
Tackling global challenges; “AI for good” and Global Water Security
WTUN webinars happening in June:
‘AI for Good: Examples of Supporting SMEs and Victimised Communities’
Tuesday 10 June, 10.00 (UTC)/11.00(UTC+1)
Via MS Teams
REGISTER now
Professor Eldabi will explore the concept of AI for Good, with a particular focus on how artificial intelligence can support communities and groups who may be unaware of or unable to access AI technologies. They will highlight two example projects based at the University of Bradford. The first project looks into raising awareness of the persecution faced by the Banyamulenge community. This group has experienced significant violence, displacement, and discrimination, and their situation is not often discussed. The project uses AI to analyse this digital content, helping to identify key themes, emotional tones, and influential voices in the conversation. The second project involves supporting a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in making sense of large volumes of accounting data. By applying AI techniques, the team developed demonstrators that show how this data could be used to attract clients to subscribe to tax accounting software.
About Professor Tillal Eldabi:
Professor Tillal Eldabi holds PhD and MSc in Simulation Modelling and BSc in Econometrics and Social Statistics. He has published over 100 articles in highly accredited journals and conferences and successfully supervising and graduating 18 doctoral students. Over a period of 20 years, his main research area was focussing on the use of Simulation Modelling to solve healthcare problems. He developed tailormade modelling packages to support health economists and clinicians to decide on the best treatment programmes.
Read more about Professor Eldabi and his AI for Good project here.
‘Global Water Security: Need for a Holistic Approach’
Tuesday 17 June, 11.15 (UTC)/12.15 (UTC+1)
REGISTER now
Water is a life-essential resource but water availability and quality across the globe is increasingly threatened by intensifying climate change, rapid population growth, and escalating pollution. These issues are not just environmental by nature, but social, economic, and political.
In this presentation, Professor Roger Falconer introduces the concept of virtual water, where water is a hidden material in the goods we consume and reveals how everyday actions of individuals and industries have significant impact on the water security of communities near and far.
Join us for a guest lecture delivered by Professor Roger Falconer, esteemed former University of Bradford Professor and Honorary Graduate.
With decades of experience in hydro-environmental modelling, Professor Falconer presents compelling, data-driven, cross-sector solutions to safeguard water quality and availability worldwide.
Read more about Professor Falconer and the event here.
Details of all WTUN webinars can be found here: https://www.wtu-n.net/webinars/
WTUN for International Women in Engineering Day 2025 – Call for Speakers
Join us to celebrate International Women in Engineering Day 2025 on Monday 23 June, at 15:00 (GMT+1), via Teams.
This year’s theme is #TogetherWeEngineer and we are opening this call for speakers to participate in a sharing session. We are seeking speakers from WTUN member universities to celebrate the work that women engineers around the world are doing. We are suggesting that speakers deliver 20-minute presentations on a topic of their choosing which links to the theme of #TogetherWeEngineer.
We would like to remind members that InWED is an annual event that centres and celebrates Women in Engineering but is not exclusively for women. We welcome all colleagues to participate in discussions around women in engineering at this event. We would like to achieve gender parity across the speakers in this event with women in engineering and the theme #TogetherWeEngineer taking central stage.
We are looking to create a programme to celebrate InWED which will:
- Highlight and celebrate women in engineering.
- Celebrate and acknowledge InWED 2025.
- Share best practices and include a sharing session on areas relevant to this year’s theme
- Facilitate Q&As to speakers on their experiences as women or working with women in the field of engineering.
We welcome submission of abstracts and expressions of interest (EOIs) via email to wtun@bradford.ac.uk.
The deadline for submissions is Friday 13 June 2025.
WTUC 2025, Thaksin University – Call for Speakers
All members were sent the call for speakers for this year’s World Technology Universities Network’s Annual Congress – WTUC 2025
Deadline: Thursday 03 July 2025
We invite and encourage your institutions to contribute to the Congress theme ‘The Glocalization’ – Functional Role of Higher Education from Local to Global’
Delegates are invited to reflect, share, and challenge on a range of issues related to this year’s theme including the impact institutions have on their communities and places. This year’s theme refers to the concept that higher education institutions play a dual role in both local and global contexts. It emphasises the integration of global perspectives with local needs, ensuring that universities contribute to regional development while also engaging with international academic and research networks.
In these sessions we will explore the sub-themes identified for the Congress through a range of short presentations leading into round table discussions. Each session will have a Chair to facilitate the discussion, and we hope the conversations might spark areas for future WTUN collaboration and workstream developments.
Together, the sessions correspond to this year’s Congress sub-themes of:
- Social Innovation for Area-based Development
- Technology and Digital Transformation in Glocalized Education
- University-Industry Partnerships for Sustainability
- AI Technology and Higher Education
Please contact your institution’s WTUN Operational Board member (https://www.wtu-n.net/members/) for further details and the session briefs. We invite submissions via email with your draft title and brief abstract to wtun@bradford.ac.uk
Who’s who at the World Technology Universities Network?
The World Technology Universities Network comprises 20 technology universities from across the world, each committed to driving inclusive, sustainable innovation in teaching and research to address the challenges of the 21st century.
Through these “Member in the Spotlight” articles, we aim to shine a light on the inspiring work of our members and inspire opportunities for connection and to foster collaboration between our members for the benefit of the network, our members, and the global community.
Get to know National Taiwan University of Science and Technology:
Based in Taipei City, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology was the first university of its kind in Taiwan and boasts a history of academic excellence, industry connections, and international collaboration. Across its teaching and research, NTUST promotes social and environmental sustainability, reflecting its commitment to addressing global challenges.
NTUST’s six research centres each receive funding from the Ministry of Education Taiwan, with focuses on Building Technologies, Green Environment, Intelligent Manufacturing, 3D Printing and Sustainable Energy Development.
Discover the mission and successes of NTUST in the latest “Member in the Spotlight” article: Getting to know National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology
On behalf of Dr Vikas Kumar Sabata, Joint Director – International Relations
CUNY Launches India’s First Focused Research Initiative Honouring Achyuta Samanta
New York, USA – In a landmark development reflecting the strengthening academic ties between the United States and India, the City University of New York (CUNY) inaugurated ‘The Achyuta Samanta India Initiative of the CUNY CREST Institute’ (ASIICCI), marking one of the few times a U.S. institution has named a dedicated research initiative after a contemporary Indian figure.
The initiative, launched in the presence of Dr. Milton Santiago, President of Bronx Community College, and other eminent academicians, aims to deepen scholarly understanding and research focused on India’s cultural, educational, and social sectors, specifically spotlighting the state of Odisha. It represents a notable move by CUNY—a prestigious 175-year-old public university system serving over 300,000 students from 122 countries—to enhance international collaboration and academic exploration.
Achyuta Samanta, after whom the initiative is named, is a renowned Indian educationist and philanthropist, celebrated for his extensive contributions to education and tribal empowerment. He is the founder of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), two institutions located in Odisha, India, which collectively educate over 80,000 students, primarily from tribal and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. His pioneering work in ensuring free quality education and holistic development to marginalised communities has earned him global recognition.
In explaining the decision to name the initiative after Samanta, CUNY officials highlighted his unique contribution to education and social upliftment, stating, “Dr. Samanta’s model of educational empowerment and social reform through KIIT and KISS is an inspiration for academia worldwide.”
The ASIICCI is designed as an interdisciplinary platform, offering scholars opportunities to research and engage deeply with the rich traditions, cultural heritage, and educational advancements from India. Additionally, it will facilitate an in-depth exploration of Samanta’s educational model that has successfully integrated academic excellence with social impact.
While there are other U.S. institutions linked to Indian cultural figures—such as the Ambedkar International Center in Maryland named after Dr. B.R. Ambedkar—ASIICCI stands out as unique, being directly named after a living Indian educator.
This initiative not only acknowledges Samanta’s extraordinary contributions but also represents a significant academic bridge, promoting mutual understanding and collaboration between India and the U.S., fostering academic dialogues that resonate globally.
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
On behalf of Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS)
Centre for Energy Research and Clean Unconventional Technology Solutions (CERCUTS)
In the single largest corporate gift to any post-secondary institution in Alberta, Imperial Oil Limited, one of Canada’s largest energy companies, has donated a beautiful $37 million lab facility to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).
The donation of this facility, to be named the Imperial Energy Innovation Centre, represents a powerful integration of Imperial’s extensive research presence in the oil sands recovery technology space with Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS).
As a conductor driving applied research innovation with SAIT students, ARIS and industry, this facility will bring together leading researchers in petroleum engineering with the next generation of thinkers and innovators. The facility will be a launchpad for solutions to in-field challenges and will enhance the forward movement of applied energy research that drives Canadian industry.
In this new 40,000 square feet (3,717 square meters) of space, ARIS will bring together energy research lab technologies and use its expertise to address industry driven challenges, support entrepreneurs with new innovations and engage students every step of the way.
Centre for Innovation and Research in Advanced Manufacturing and Materials (CIRAMM)
Richa Bhardwaj, a PhD candidate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who recently joined SAIT as a Principal Investigator at the Centre for Innovation and Research in Advanced Manufacturing and Materials (CIRAMM), is scheduled to participate in a panel discussion organized by WTUN on June 23, 2025 for Women in Engineering Day. She will share her experiences with advanced construction materials and her journey in research and innovation.
SAIT’s Centre for Innovation and Research in Advanced Manufacturing and Materials (CIRAMM) was recently awarded funding by Calgary Economic Development to establish an Aerospace Composite Materials Laboratory. This new facility will enable researchers at SAIT to design and develop next-generation advanced composite materials, such as metal matrix composites, cermets, and fiber-reinforced composites, for strategic industries including aerospace and defense.
Suranaree University of Technology
On behalf of Centre for International Affairs (CIA)
SUT Exchange News: SUT Lecturers Receive WTUN Grants!
Congratulations, Aj. Tharathep Phiboon, Lecturer in School of Mechanical Engineering, SUT received the World Technology Universities Network Staff Exchange Grant of £2000 to carry out research at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
Theme/Focus: Aerodynamics testing and supervised machine learning applied to the wing of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) design, utilising emerging technologies, artificial intelligence.
Asst. Prof. Dr.Pawornwan Rittipakorn, Dentist and Instructor, in Institute of Dentistry, SUT, received the World Technology Universities Network Staff Exchange Grant of £2000 to carry out a research at the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle.
Theme/Focus: Bone graft materials, oral health in ageing populations, improvement of patient care, surgical outcomes, and healthcare innovations.
Read more in our Exchange 2024/25 Announcement.
Reported by Center for International Affairs (CIA) on Facebook.
Technische Universität Ilmenau & Mindanao State University
On behalf of Technische Universitat Ilmenau (Germany) and Mindanao State University (Philippines)
WTUN Members Awarded EU-ASEAN Research Connectivity Grant
We’re excited to share some great news from two WTUN member institutions:
Technische Universität Ilmenau (Germany) and Mindanao State University (The Philippines). They have been successfully selected as grantees of the EU-funded SCOPE-HE (Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education) Research Connectivity program.
Together with four other universities from the EU and ASEAN regions, they have formed a collaborative cluster called GreenTrans-Edu. This initiative is dedicated to advancing research-based teaching with a focus on renewable energy (SDG 7), biodiversity and land use (SDG 15), and their broader contribution to climate action.
The cluster aims to enhance student and academic mobility and strengthen university networks focused on driving the green transformation for sustainability.
Launched in July 2024, the SCOPE-HE Program is implemented by Nuffic (the Dutch organization for the internationalization of education), in partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
From TUIL, Prof. Dr Jens Wolling is leading the GreenTrans-Edu cluster, with Dr. Mira Rochyadi-Reetz serving as the project manager. Meanwhile Prof. Dr. Melba Angni from MSU, is the project coordinator at MSU.
💡Out of over 120 project proposals, only three university clusters were selected—making this a highly competitive and prestigious achievement.
Congratulations to TUIL and MSU—valued members of WTUN—on this remarkable success!
University of Bradford
On behalf of Brad-ATTAIN
Brad-ATTAIN 2025 Learning Circle (Part II)
Wednesday 18th June,
09:30am – 3:00pm (UTC+1), Online
“Tackling EDI Resistance in Higher Education”
With increasing attacks on academia/academics globally, there’s no time remain siloed. Join us as researchers discuss ways to #StandingUp.
Get ready for a day filled with innovative discussions, networking opportunities, and the creation of a guide for others.
WTUN Collaboration: Professor Danielle Garcia from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte will join the panel discussion at 11:00 (UTC+1), “In the Trenches: How EDI Champions are Manoeuvring in Higher Education Globally”.
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