As Professor Shirley Congdon’s tenure as Chair of the WTUN came to an end at the end of July 2025 the WTUN is pleased to formally welcome Professor Michael Affenzeller, Provost, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria to the role for a period of two years. On behalf of all at the WTUN and in addition to thanking Professor Congdon for her tireless efforts and championship of the network during her time as Chair, we also wish her well for her upcoming retirement later this year.
Professor Affenzeller has written to members of the WTUN General Board directly.
Professor Michael Affenzeller’s Message
Dear WTUN Members,
As I begin my term I would like to express my appreciation to the General Board for their support in my election to the position of Chair of the World Technology Universities Network.
When I first became acquainted with the World Technology Universities Network, a little over three years ago through my role in university management, I quickly recognised the network’s outstanding unique selling points—qualities that make active involvement not only worthwhile but truly rewarding. Foremost among these is the pioneering spirit and enthusiasm of a relatively young organisation, paired with a remarkable level of organisational professionalism, a rare and powerful combination. This dynamic is clearly reflected in the network’s diverse range of activities, including hackathons, exchange programs, student competitions, and webinars, as well as the impressively high proportion of member universities that actively engage in these initiatives.
In my view, another key strength of WTUN lies in its focused membership. The emphasis on technology-oriented universities facilitates the identification of interdisciplinary topics and fosters collaborative efforts across institutions. None of these valuable features would exist without the exceptional individuals who have shaped WTUN into what it is today. I would therefore like to acknowledge a few of these personalities whose work I’ve had the privilege of witnessing over the past few years and to express my sincere appreciation:
Prof Peter Scharff has inspired us all with his energy and enthusiasm, and his astute selection of topics has significantly advanced the network. I am especially grateful to Prof Shirley Congdon, who succeeded Peter as WTUN Chair, for her strong and graceful leadership of WTUN. Over the past few months, as I’ve worked closely with Shirley in my role as Incoming Chair, I’ve had the opportunity to witness first-hand the strength and effectiveness of her commitment. I wish her all the very best in the next chapter of her life.
It has also been a genuine pleasure to collaborate with Dr. Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin during his time as Operational Board Chair. His clarity of thought, combined with a healthy dose of humour, makes working with him both productive and enjoyable. Also, the continuous contribution of Denise Whitehead must not go unmentioned. She is the good spirit of the network, always keeping an overview and supporting the network’s activities, the Boards, and the preparation and execution of the annual congress with a friendly smile.
Looking ahead, I am very much looking forward to working with Dr. Chawin Chantharasenawong, whom I warmly welcome to his new role as Chair of the Operational Board, along with his deputy, Dr. N. Manoharan.
As is typical in the environment of technology-oriented universities, we anticipate exciting and challenging years ahead. Rapid advancements in analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence are driving innovation across technical disciplines and beyond. These developments are accompanied by important moral and societal debates around the responsible, conscious, and privacy-aware use of technology—issues that are viewed through diverse cultural lenses.
Thanks to the mutual respect and idealism that define our network, I see tremendous potential for the WTUN to contribute meaningfully to these discussions. The global reach of our members brings with it a rich diversity of perspectives—both intellectual and societal.
Equally pressing are the global challenges in areas such as climate change, CO₂ compliance, and, more broadly, the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here, too, I believe the WTUN is uniquely positioned to make a positive impact. We have the opportunity to send a powerful message to the younger generation: that choosing a technical field of study is one of the most proactive and constructive ways to contribute to solving the great challenges of our time.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to every member of the WTUN for your ongoing commitment, intellectual curiosity, and collaborative spirit. It is an honour to be part of this journey with you, and I look forward to the continued growth and impact we will achieve together. Thank you for all that you do.
Best regards,
Prof. Dr. Michael Affenzeller
Provost, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Austria
World Technology Universities Network Chair 2025-2027