Author: Denise Whitehead

It is with great sadness that the WTUN shares the below statement on behalf of members Mindanao State University, The Philippines.

Honouring the Legacy of MSU System President Atty. Basari D. Mapupuno.

It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved MSU System President, Atty. Basari D. Mapupuno.

The International Affairs and Linkages Office of Mindanao State University join the entire MSU System community in mourning the loss of a visionary leader, a brilliant mind, and a staunch advocate of internationalization and global cooperation.

President Mapupuno’s leadership was marked by clarity of purpose and unwavering dedication to positioning MSU in the global academic landscape. Through his support and guidance, the university flourished in forging strategic international linkages, entering into numerous Memoranda of Understanding and Commitments with local, national, and international partners, and participating in global dialogues that advanced MSU’s global presence and recognition.

He believed in building bridges of understanding beyond borders, a belief that inspired every action we took as an office and as a university under his stewardship. His legacy lives on in the partnerships we now hold dear, in the programs we have launched, and in the opportunities that continue to open for our faculty, students, and researchers.

To our valued partners and friends around the world, thank you for walking with us. President Mapupuno deeply valued your collaboration and saw every engagement as a meaningful contribution to MSU’s mission to educate, connect, and transform.

As we grieve this profound loss, we also celebrate a life that truly made a difference.

Rest in peace, President Mapupuno. Your vision and legacy will continue to guide us.

WTUN Exchange Programme 2024-25: Meet the 2024/25 Participants

Meet the 18 successful participants of this year’s WTUN Exchange Programme who following selection by the assessment panel will each be awarded up to £2,000 (GBP) to support their proposed collaboration with a fellow WTUN member university.

The WTUN Exchange Programme runs annually and provides academic and professional services staff and PhD students the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues at a member institution of their choosing. Participants of the Exchange Programme are awarded up to £2,000 (GBP) to support them in their shared projects, facilitating face-to-face collaboration in new research environments and the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultural landscapes of the hosting institution.

The WTUN Exchange Programme has led to outcomes such as student exchanges, collaborative research projects, joint publications, and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between institutions. Previous Exchange Programme partnerships have focussed on areas such as renewable energy storage, the promotion of healthy childhood movement within school curriculum, and multi-dimensional models for promoting equity in higher education.

We are pleased to formally announce the 2024/25 WTUN Exchange Programme participants and we look forward to the impact and outcomes that these visits will support. Thank you to each of this year’s participating member institutions and congratulations to the grant recipients on their successful proposals.

Participant: Noor Alsayed, Assistant Professor in the College of Business and Finance, Ahlia University (Bahrain)

Collaboration Partner (Host): Gabriela Gliga, Lecturer in Marketing and Sustainability, Atlantic Technological University (Ireland)

Theme/Focus: Enhancing Sustainability education

Participant: Fatema AlDhaen, Assistant Professor and Researcher in Management, Marketing and Information Systems, Ahlia University (Bahrain)

Collaboration Partner (Host): Vishanth Weerakkody, Professor and Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Bradford (United Kingdom)

Theme/Focus: Integrating digital entrepreneurship and innovation into Marketing and Management curricular.

Participant: Gabriela Gliga, Lecturer in Marketing and Sustainability, Atlantic Techological University (Ireland)

Collaboration Partner (Host): Noor Al Sayed, Assistant Professor in the College of Business and Finance, Ahlia University (Bahrain)

Theme/Focus: Enhancing Sustainability education

Participant: Oladosu Oladimeji, PhD Candidate in the Faculty of Engineering and Design, Atlantic Technological University (Ireland)

Collaboration Partner (Host): Arathyram Ramachandra Kurup Sasikala, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford (United Kingdom)

Theme/Focus: Nanomaterial-based cancer therapies, AI-based classification systems

Participant: Jothilakshmi N, Research Scholar in Mathematics, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science

Collaboration Partner (Host): Joe Ryan, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and Software Engineering, University of Newcastle

Theme/Focus: Graph embedding, network optimisation

Participant: Albert Alipan Tayong, Assistant Professor and Programme Manager in the Faculty of Information Technologies, Majan University College

Collaboration Partner (Host): Tula Jutarosaga, Dean of the Faculty of Science, King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi

Theme/Focus: Development of mathematical models, student number forecasting, workload optimisation.

Participant: Husna Dimapalao, Assistant Professor and MSU Green Transition TWG Co-Chair, Mindanao State University

Collaboration Partner (Host): Hitoshi Nakamura, Vice President and Professor in Planning, Architecture and Environmental Systems, Shibaura Institute of Technology

Theme/Focus: Climate action and green transition initiatives, waste-to-energy solutions, sustainable campus innovations.

Participant: Kenichi Sugimura, Assistant Director in the Office of International Services, Shibaura Institute of Technology

Collaboration Partner (Host): Sasima Juwasophi, Director of International Affairs Office, King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi

Theme/Focus: Partnership development, global strategy, student mobility programmes and joint-teaching capacities.

Participant: Masaomi Kimura, Director for Center for International Programs, Shibaura Institute of Technology

Collaboration Partner (Host): Somsak Siwadamrongpong, Associate Dean of Institute of Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology

Theme/Focus: Collaborative projects, capacity for global educational and student mobility opportunities.

Participant: Melanie Ross, Research Chair in Applied Research and Innovation Services, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

Collaboration Partner (Host): Dr Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin, Strategic Projects Manager, Atlantic Technological University

Theme/Focus:  Built environment, assessing the economic, social and cultural impact of building and construction on global emissions.

Participant: Tharathep Phiboon, Lecturer in School of Mechanical Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology

Collaboration Partner (Host): Shabudin Mat, Senior Lecturer in 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.

Participant: Pawornwan Rittipakorn, Dentist and Instructor, Suranaree University of Technology

Collaboration Partner (Host): TBC, 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.

Participant: Thanawit Bunsit, Lecturer and Head of Studies in Economics, Thaksin University

Collaboration Partner (Host): Dr Qun Shao, Deputy Director of Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem, University of Bradford

Theme/Focus: Promotion of organic agriculture and agri-tourism for rural wellbeing development in Thailand, strengthening of collaboration in areas such as student entrepreneurship and innovation (e.g. via WTUN-ASEP).

Participant: Kamonthip Jiadkong, Lecturer in Faculty of Technology and Community Development, Thaksin University

Collaboration Partner (Host): Anant Paradkar, Professor and Director of Centre for Pharmaceutical and Skin Sciences, University of Bradford (United Kingdom)

Theme/Focus: Potential of bioactive compounds found in betel petioles, promotion of sustainable agricultural practices and supporting local economies.

Participant: Julio Rezende, Professor in Industrial Engineering, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

Collaboration Partner (Host): Herbert Jodlbauer, Head of Department in Smart Production, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria

Theme/Focus: Integration of space sustainability research and engineering innovation to align with global technological and environmental challenges, applications in space and earth-based sustainability efforts.

Participant: Si Na Kew, Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Collaboration Partner (Host): Gwo-Jen Hwang, Professor in Graduate Institute of Digital Learning and Education, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology

Theme/Focus: Development of joint teaching module titled “Insightful Learning: A Joint Teaching and Learning Module on Learning Analytics” to understand student learning behaviours and patterns in online learning environments.

Participant: Sreekanth Pentlavalli, Lecturer in Drug Delivery in School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Bradford

Collaboration Partner (Host): Dindyal Mandal, Associate Professor in School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology

Theme/Focus: Research collaboration looking at novel nanoparticles for treating breast cancer, development of a long-acting sustainable drug delivery system.

Participant: Iftekhar Ahmed, Associate Professor in Construction Management and Disaster Resilience, University of Newcastle

Collaboration Partner (Host): Nurul Zainab Binti Along, Lecturer and Program Coordinator for Masters in Disaster Risk Management, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Theme/Focus: Climate action and resilient housing for indigenous communities in Malaysia within the context of flooding.

The Inaugural WTUN-Accelerated Student Entrepreneurship Programme 2025

In 10 days time, 29 students and 3 staff,  from 7 universities and 5 countries will attend the first of two workshops as part of the inaugural WTUN-Accelerated Student Entrepreneurship Programme (ASEP).

About ASEP: 

The Accelerated Student Entrepreneurship Programmes (ASEP), established by the University of Bradford in 2016, offers students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of running an enterprise. These programmes are fast paced, real-life experiences, with the goal of enabling students to progress from first meeting to securing funding for a social or business enterprise in just four months. Many of the students who have attended the programme have gone on to run successful businesses

The ASEP is structured around two 5 day workshops. The first workshop focuses on introductions, generation and selection of enterprise ideas and the formation of founder teams, where appropriate. Following this workshop students receive support to develop and test their business plan. The second workshop is an entrepreneurship ‘boot camp’. Over the course of week two, founder teams finalise prototypes, concepts and designs, develop a compelling presentation and promotional literature, and on the last day have the opportunity to present to a panel of real investors and benefactors for real money with which to grow their new enterprise, in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style pitching session.

Inaugural WTUN- ASEP 2025

Workshop 1: February 17 – 21, University of Bradford, UK.

Workshop 2 : June 30 – 4 July,  Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China

The first WTUN ASEP Workshops will be co-hosted by University of Bradford (UK) and Beijing University of Chemical Technology (China)

“These workshops will bring together the most talented and entrepreneurial minded students across different continents within the World Technology University Network to create successful international businesses. We really appreciate the support from WTUN participating institutes and the WTUN central office, and we will continue to work with WTUN member institutes to expand the programme and develop a wider entrepreneurial community for our students and staff.”

Thank you to participating universities:

University of Bradford, UK

Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China

Hindustan University, India

King Mongkut’s University Thonburi, Thailand

Majan University College, Oman

Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand

Thaksin University, Thailand

Webinars

Science and Technology in the Service of Peace!

Can science act as a catalyst for peace in a world filled with chaos, despair, and anarchy? World Science Day for Peace and Development is an annual observance established by UNESCO through Resolution 31 C/20. This day highlights the significant contributions of scientific knowledge and research to societal development and international peace. It serves as a reminder of how science can tackle pressing global challenges, foster collaboration among nations, and promote social equity.

While science is frequently portrayed as a driver of conflict and division, its true potential lies in its ability to be a powerful tool for peacebuilding and fostering social harmony. By harnessing scientific advancements, we can bridge divides across cultures and ideologies, enhance mutual understanding, and work towards a more peaceful and sustainable world.

Social media is a powerful technological tool that facilitates communication and collaboration, allowing people to connect across borders and mobilize for common causes. However, these platforms can also spread disinformation, incite hatred, and radicalise individuals.

Drones represent another technological advancement that has significantly reshaped our daily lives. We often hear about their use in warfare, particularly in ongoing conflicts such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East, where they are employed for surveillance and targeted strikes.

However, it’s essential to recognise the beneficial applications of drones as well. They can play a crucial role in disaster response efforts, helping to navigate hazardous conditions for search and rescue operations and delivering essential supplies like food and medicine to remote or affected areas. In agriculture, drones are increasingly becoming vital assets; they help monitor crop health, detect pests early, and optimise irrigation practices, leading to improved yields and resource management. Additionally, drones assist in infrastructure inspections, minimising risks while enhancing efficiency in construction and maintenance.

This talk highlights that science is not solely a tool for war; it can also help address the root causes of conflict, such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. By addressing these underlying issues, we can create the conditions necessary for lasting peace.

SDGs: #17 Partnerships for the Goals; #16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

WTUN for International Week for Science and Peace:

Event Details:

Hosted by Dr Colin’s Imoh, Assistant Professor, Department of Peace Studies and International Development, University of Bradford, we are pleased to announce this webinar to mark World Science Day for Peace and Development and International Week of Science and Peace.

Together with Dr Imoh, we invite speakers to contribute to this session under the theme ‘Science and Technology in the Service of Peace!’. 

Date: Wednesday 13 November

Time: 10:00-12:00 (UTC/GMT)

Format: Microsoft Teams Webinar (register HERE)