Welcome to this month’s roundup of the stories, updates and events happening across the World Technology Universities Network.

World Technology Universities Congress 2024

02-04 October 2024, University Technology Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

On behalf of all at the World Technology Universities Network we would like to begin this newsletter by extended a thank you those who attended the ninth World Technology Universities Network Congress in Johor Bahru, Malaysia earlier this month. A very special thanks goes to our esteemed hosts, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia for delivering this fantastic event and for their hospitality.  

Over the three-day programme 25+ speakers provided expert perspectives on a wide range of subjects under the theme of ‘Alliances for Diplomacy: Harnessing University Collaborations for Planetary Health’. WTUC 2024 also featured the second WTUN Annual Lecture, delivered by Professor Datuk TS. Ir. Dr. Siti Hamisah Tapsir, Group CEO; University Vice-Chancellor UCSI University, Malaysia. 

During her opening address, WTUN Chair and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bradford UK, Professor Shirley Congdon reminded delegates that “the WTUN exists for the benefit of others…and [during WTUC 2024] is well positioned to maximise the collective power of our member universities for the benefit of our students, staff and local and global communities. Our network is intellectually rich, strongly connected to industry, and youthful. Collectively, we are committed to our values of innovation and sustainability, and we must continue to create meaningful longevity and construct an impactful legacy as a network.” 

Thank you to all our esteemed speakers for their valuable contribution to this event. Many positive discussions took place, and key decisions were reached about the Network’s values and priorities; both of which will guide future growth and ensure greater impact than ever. We look forward to sharing more with you in the weeks to come. 

A message from Dr Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin, Chair, WTUN Operational Board

“Once again, I’d like to thank our colleagues and friends at UTM for hosting a wonderful congress. During our time we covered a lot of ground and had broad and varied discussions on the specific research sessions, as well as the priorities for the WTUN as we move into a new year.  I am grateful for all your engagement and contribution to what was a very successful and fruitful congress.  As we move forward, I hope we will continue to refocus our energies on activities that add value to the network and our individual university strategies.  It is important for us to embed the work of the WTUN in our institutions, to engage as many staff and students as possible in our collaborations, and to clearly articulate the role of WTUN in our internationalisation agendas.  I’d like to focus this year on developing our research agenda and to facilitate joint actions to enable this. I look forward to facilitating this cooperation through the Operational Board for the year ahead!”

Feedback Requested:

Feedback is vital to ensure that the annual Congress remains relevant to WTUN members. To support this, we invite members to complete a short survey: WTUC2024 Feedback Survey

SAVE the DATE! World Technology Universities Congress 2025

World Technology Universities Congress 2025 hosted by Thaksin University:
Date: 20-22 October 2025
Location: Songkhla, Thailand
Theme: ‘The ‘GLOCALISATION’: Functional Role of Higher Education from Local to Global’

WTUN Member News

Women’s University in Africa

The Association of African Universities has shared a webinar on “Emerging Issues in African Higher Education”. The webinar includes a forum which seeks to explore the evolving landscape of higher education across the African continent based on the 10 policy briefs of the Association.

Watch the webinar here.

Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology

A message from KIIT:

We open our resources to all the fellow member universities of the WTUN family to achieve common goals of our respective institutions and observe WTUN activities for year 2024-25 cohesively.

We are keen to work collaboratively in following academic areas with you, of bilateral interests:

1. Computer Science Engineering
2. BioTechnology
3. Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering
4. Robotics/AI & Cybersecurity
5. Public Policy
6. Applied Sciences
7. Environmental Engineering

Please find below a few links about our research and innovation, Centre of Excellence and Technology Business Incubator for your ready reference.

Feel free to reach out for taking ahead this conversation on individual interests.

Find out more about KIIT:

• KIIT Research
• Centres of Excellence
• Technology Business Incubator

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Fadhil Md. Din, Director of the UTM Campus Sustainability Office (UTMCS) was a speaker at one of the WTUC2024 parallel sessions. During his presentation, Dr. Mohd Fadhil Md. Din discussed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles as pivotal pillars which shape the values and strategy of higher education institutions.

Learn more about Prof. Fadhil’s presentation, ‘Sustainability Practices & Navigating Towards ESF Campus Transformation’ here.

WTUC2024 was hosted by UTM as part of the wider UTM Global Connect 2024 programme. The event, and the involvement of WTUN, has made local Malaysian news.

In an article published by Bernama, WTUN is highlighted as a “unique platform for global experts to exchange knowledge and present innovative solutions”.

Read the full article here.

University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria

FHOOE’s research group Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety & innovation (FFoQSI) has launched their next funding phase from 2025-2028.

The 2025-2028 research programme includes, for example, projects relating to the optimized control of food for pathogens, sustainable field management, alternative food packaging and the use of artificial intelligence and autonomous machines in agriculture.

Find out more here.

University of Bradford

UOB’s archaeologists have been granted funding to purchase a state-of-the-art survey equipment which will provide them with “mobile laboratory” (MoLab) capability to allow them to investigate previously unexplored landscapes.

The equipment includes drones with sensors for large-scale 3D mapping , portable seismic profiling systems and the ability to map wetland areas down to the centimetre, remotely operated vehicles to obtain samples, and adaptable data processing software.

Find out more here.

Member Events

Technische Universität Ilmenau

InnoLOG: 6th Thuringian AI Forum
29 October 2024
COMCENTER Brühl Erfurt

Innovations, trends and experiences – AI as a driving force for Thuringia

The forum also serves to promote exchange within the Thuringian AI community. It brings together developers of AI solutions with potential users in order to drive forward joint innovations and research and development projects.

Find out more about InnoLOG here.

International Student Week Ilmenau 2025
June 12- 21 2025
Technische Universität Ilmenau

ISWI is the largest student conference in Germany, established by students for students in 1993. Past ISWIs have welcomed over 320 participants from 70+ countries.

The themes for ISWI2025 are:

• Sharing Power: How to build inclusive societies with equitable power distribution
• Giving Opportunities: Focusing on youth exchange, education, technology and policy
• Enabling Participation: Encouraging particiaption for all, no matter the background or status

Find out more by viewing the short presentation here: ISWI2025 presentation.

Alternatively, visit the ISWI website here: ISWI.org

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

International Human-Centered Technology Conference (iHumEnTech 2024)
28-29 November 2024
Impiana Hotel (Johor Bahru, Malaysia) and Online

iHumEnTech 2024 is organised to provide a platform for researchers to share their findings in science and technology related to analysis and application on the human. Researchers are encouraged to participate on the following 10 themes:

• Assistive technology & bioinstrumentation
• Signal & image processing
• Artificial Intelligence for human technology
• Health informatics
• Rehabilitation & therapy
• Nutritional & drug delivery technology
• Human-computer interaction
• Sports innovation & technology
• Human-systems integration
• Ergonomics, health & safety

Find out more about iHumEnTech 2024 here.

University of Bradford

DHEZ Seminar Series
30 October 2024, 13:00-14:00 (UTC+1)
Online

The Patient Education workstream of the VRI Programme at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust focuses on delivering online resources that empower patients to understand their conditions and manage their own health. This session will outline the journey to date and showcase some of the content it has produced.

Find out more here: DHEZ Seminar Series 24/25

Member Mobility Opportunities

Shared by WTUN Member Institutions

Suranaree University of Technology

SUT Global Entrepreneurship Camp 2025
Suranaree University of Technology (Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand)

SUT GEC 2025 is now open for registrations:
Dates: 08-18 January
Theme: “Sustainable and Resilient Communities: Innovating for a Healthier Planet and People”
SDGs: #3, #11, #13, #15

Why should students joint the GEC 2025:

• Enhance their entrepreneurial skills and mindset.
• Collaborate with peers from around the globe.
• Experience real-world challenges and opportunities.
• Play a role in creating a more sustainable and equitable future.

Find out more information here.

Alternatively, contact Student Entrepreneurship Development Academy (SEDA) via email at: global.entrepreneurship.sut@gmail.com.

To discuss joining the Network please contact the WTUN Development Manager
Denise Whitehead
Email: wtun@bradford.ac.uk

Welcome to this month’s roundup of the stories, updates and events happening across the World Technology Universities Network.

WTUN Operational Board Bulletin:

Message from Operational Board Chair

Dr. Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin,
Strategic Projects Manager, Atlantic Technological University
WTUN Operational Board Chair

Dear colleagues,

As we move into another year of WTUN, I am becoming more aware of the current levels of engagement and the commitment made by each of you to represent, and also to bring value, to your organisations.

There are already many demands on our finances, and it is becoming increasingly clear that if we wish to increase our engagement and research activities, we will need to consider alternative, external, sources of funds.  There are many funding opportunities available at country, regional and or global levels that we might consider competing for either as an entire network, or as subgroups relevant to the specific funding calls.  I hope that in the coming year, we will be able to set into motion an agile and responsive process to meet our network goals.

With this in mind, we would like to streamline our communications with you, to ensure that information distributed by the secretariat, as well as responses and engagement from you, can be timely, efficient and effective.

• Research stories which will be of interest to other WTUN colleagues and inspire collaboration
• Events and Opportunities such as Conferences, Mobility Programmes, Research Collaboration projects. These should be shared with enough notice for members to engage.
• Collaboration Calls from Researchers to connect or collaborate on themes
• WTUN Funding Call; We hope to develop this in the future to include potential funding opportunities which the network can work to act on.

As we move through the year, I would be happy for you to make suggestions or interventions either at our Operational Board meetings or by communicating directly with either Chawin or myself

Email Dr Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin & Dr. Chawin Chantharasenawong

Member Directory 2024-25 – Version 1.0

Over the last year, the WTUN Secretariat has been updating the WTUN Member Profiles found on the WTUN website.

We have now compiled the first draft of a Member Directory for 2024-25. This includes a list of all current members, a link to their webpage and contact details for the General and Operational Board member.

We plan to circulate this before WTUC2024, and therefore, we ask any members to share necessary amendments and edits for their institution’s page as soon as possible.

Open the WTUN Member Directory 2024-25.

WTUN News

WTUC 2024: 02-04 October 2024

We will shortly be joining our delegates from across the network in Johor Bahru for the 2024 World Technology Universities Congress, hosted by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

Visit our WTUC2024 pages to find out more about the programme, the WTUN Annual Lecture, and a full list of delegates and speakers.

• WTUC2024 Delegates
• WTUC2024 Speakers
• WTUN Annual Lecture

Parallel Sessions:

• Session1.1: Interdisciplinary Research Initiatives; Environment, Social and Governance for Planetary Health
• Session 1.2: Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Session 2: Community Engagement and Action for Planetary Health

WTUN ‘Meet our Members’ Networking

Thank you to all of our participants in the WTUN ‘Meet our Members’ Networking Session.

We would be grateful for your feedback on these sessions, whether you were able to participate and attend or not: WTUN Networking Sessions Feedback Form

We would like to thank each of our speakers for their contributions: Dr Esra Aldhaen, Ahlia University; Dr Des Foley, Atlantic Technological University; Dr Chawin Chantharasenawong, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi; Ms Nabila Al Macki, Majan University College; Professor Melba M. Angni, Mindanao State University; Dr Wipawee Usaha, Suranaree University of Technology; Mark Butler and Jamie McInnis, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology; Dr Jens Müller, Technische Universität Ilmenau; Professor Michael Affenzeller and Kamilla Trubicki, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria; Professor Liz Breen, University of Bradford; Shibaura Institute of Technology.

We have collated the pre-recorded presentations and uploaded these to the corresponding Member Profiles on our website:

• Ahlia University
• King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi
• Majan University College
• Mindanao State University
• Shibaura Institute of Technology
• Suranaree University of Technology
• Technische Universität Ilmenau
• University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria
• University of Bradford

View the YouTube Playlist for Member Networking Session here.

WTUN Collaboration Opportunities

Following our Member Networking sessions, several calls for funding have been shared from our members:

Dr. Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin 
Strategic Projects Manager, Atlantic Technological University & WTUN Operational Board Chair

All members are invited to consider the following funding call, ‘EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education Programme (SCOPE-HE)’ which aims to support the development of university clusters across EU and ASEAN countries.

This funding call provides an opportunity for the WTUN to gain access to funding to support additional collaboration between our institutions across the following themes:

• Green Transition
• Digital Transformation
• Blue Economy

Further details can be shared on request. Please email wtun@bradford.ac.uk.

WTUN Member News

Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences

HSHL’S Prof. Dr. -Ing Jan-Niklas Voigt-Antons has launched a new research project, “Ariadne” which will develop an innovative augmented reality (A) navigation application which will allow for personalisation and interactivity whilst navigating urban spaces.

The hope is that this project will facilitate spatial orientation and promote cultural and social exchanges.

Read the full article here.

National Taiwan University of Science and Technology

Taiwan Tech has assisted Paraguay in establishing the Taiwan-Paraguay Polytechnic University (UPTP) since 2018. In August 2024, the first joint technology research and academic conference between the two countries was held, titled the ‘Taiwan-Paraguay Technology Forum’. The forum established five key priority areas for Paraguay’s national development; cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and semiconductors, biomedical engineering, sustainable environments, and higher education research.

The collaboration between the two countries highlights the critical role of international partnerships in fostering innovation and development

Read the full article here.

—

A partnership between the German Alliance for Applied Sciences (HAWtech) and the Taiwan University Alliance for Applied Sciences (TAItech) united 12 universities to undertake collaborative projects, student exchanges and double degree programmes.

A recent visit from HAWtech showcased the research work of Taiwan Tech’s Professor Young. His solar heat-insulating glass technology, which improves power generation efficiency, provides insulation, and reduces the energy needed to cool buildings, has garnered international recognition, including the EU Marie Curie Award in 2014.

Read the full article here.

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

UFRN’s Laboratory of Innovative and Accessible Educational Practices (LAPEIA-FELCS/UFRN) discusses decolonial education in the newest episode of their podcast, Lapeia.cast, whcih discusses education, accessibility, technologies and teaching-learning practices.

In this episode, the discussion explores education for ethnic-racial relations and it’s importance for building a more equitable and inclusive society. Listen to the episode here.

Other episodes include:

• Artificial intelligence in the classroom: villain or heroine?
• Gamification: how to make the classroom more interesting and interactive?
• Technological resources in the classroom: what about analog ones?

Learn more about the ‘Lapeia.cast’ podcast here.

Please note: This podcast is recorded in Brazilian Portuguese.

Member Events

Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science

International Conference on Computational Mathematics and Advances in Modern Technology
16th – 18th October 2024
Bay Range Campus, HITS (Chennai, India)

This conference aims to unite leading scholars, scientists, academicians, and industry professionals to exchange and share their experiences and research on all aspects of Computational Mathematics and Modern Technology. The event will cover current trends and developments in areas such as Pure and Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Engineering and Technologies.

Find out more here: ICCMAMT2024

Technische Universität Ilmenau

InnoLOG: 6th Thuringian AI Forum
29 October 2024
COMCENTER Brühl Erfurt

Innovations, trends and experiences – AI as a driving force for Thuringia

The forum also serves to promote exchange within the Thuringian AI community. It brings together developers of AI solutions with potential users in order to drive forward joint innovations and research and development projects.

Find out more about InnoLOG here.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

International Human-Centered Technology Conference (iHumEnTech 2024)
28-29 November 2024
Impiana Hotel (Johor Bahru, Malaysia) and Online

iHumEnTech 2024 is organised to provide a platform for researchers to share their findings in science and technology related to analysis and application on the human. Researchers are encouraged to participate on the following 10 themes:

• Assistive technology & bioinstrumentation
• Signal & image processing
• Artificial Intelligence for human technology
• Health informatics
• Rehabilitation & therapy
• Nutritional & drug delivery technology
• Human-computer interaction
• Sports innovation & technology
• Human-systems integration
• Ergonomics, health & safety

Find out more about iHumEnTech 2024 here.

University of Bradford

DHEZ Seminar Series
25 September 2024, 13:00-14:00 (UTC+1)
Online

This seminar will share key findings from a realist review of the literature on the consequences of replacing hospital bedside medication charts with electronic prescribing systems, with a focus on communication about medicines between healthcare practitioners and the patients they care for.

Find out more here: DHEZ Seminar Series 24/25

Interdisciplinary Nuclear Disarmament Symposium 
06 December 2024
University of Bradford (United Kingdom)

This symposium aims to explore the multifaceted challenges and opportunities associated with nuclear disarmament through a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach, drawing on insights from international relations, security studies, law, ethics, environmental science, technology, and more.

Deadline for Abstracts: 04 October 2024

Find out more here: Call for Papers

Cantor Technology Lecture
‘From Faraday to AI: Integrating science and technology into the study of museum collections’
16 October 2024, 18:00-19:15 (UTC+1)
Online

With keynote speaker Professor Carl Heron

This talk will explore the past, present and future of science and technology in the study of museum collections.

What is the context of these interventions and what have we learned? How do these applications support the wider purposes of museums, such as enhancing access and promoting understanding? What are the opportunities and challenges?

Professor Carl Heron will select relevant examples drawn from the British Museum collection and widen the discussion to other museums and the essential roles they play.

Find out more here: Cantor Technology Lecture

Member Mobility Opportunities

Shared by WTUN Member Institutions

Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science

Spring 2025 Semester Exchange programme
Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (Chennai, India)

We cordially invite students from your esteemed institution to participate in our student exchange program for the upcoming Spring 2025 semesters. We are pleased to inform you that we can accept up to five (5) students from your university, with the added benefit of waived tuition fees.

Find out more by contacting HITS International Office at: internationalaffairs@hindustanuniv.ac.in.

Suranaree University of Technology

SUT Global Entrepreneurship Camp 2025
Suranaree University of Technology (Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand)

SUT GEC 2025 is now open for registrations:
Dates: 08-18 January
Theme: “Sustainable and Resilient Communities: Innovating for a Healthier Planet and People”
SDGs: #3, #11, #13, #15

Why should students joint the GEC 2025:

• Enhance their entrepreneurial skills and mindset.
• Collaborate with peers from around the globe.
• Experience real-world challenges and opportunities.
• Play a role in creating a more sustainable and equitable future.

Find out more information here.

Alternatively, contact Student Entrepreneurship Development Academy (SEDA) via email at: global.entrepreneurship.sut@gmail.com.

To discuss joining the Network please contact the WTUN Development Manager
Denise Whitehead
Email: wtun@bradford.ac.uk

Welcome to this month’s roundup of the stories, updates and events happening across the World Technology Universities Network.

WTUN News:

• The WTUN will be attending the European Association for International Education (EAIE) 2024 in Toulouse, France this September.
  WTUN Development Manager, Denise Whitehead, and WTUN Operational Board Chair, Dr Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin will be representing the network.
  If you will be there and would like to connect, please contact Denise or Ciarán via the EAIE portal or at wtun@bradford.ac.uk.

WTUN Members Only:

• The WTUN is hosting ‘Meet our Members’ Networking Sessions on Wednesday 4 September, 2024:
  Session 1: 09:00-11:00 (GMT+1)
  Session 2: 14:00-16:00 (GMT+1)
  In each session, members will introduce their institutions through a short presentation, providing details around their university’s mission, strategy, research centres and themes, collaborative opportunities, and key contacts.
  To see the list of attending WTUN members, please visit the Webinars page here.
  For any other queries, please contact WTUN Secretariat at wtun@bradford.ac.uk.

News from our Members:

Asia:

Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, India

• KIIT shares their ‘Knowledge Hub Series’ in which Professor Udai P. Singh delves into his groundbreaking work in the Photovoltaic Lab within the semiconductor industry. Watch the video to learn more about the research KIIT is undertaking to change the future of renewable energy. Watch the video here.

King Mongkut’s University in Technology Thonburi, Thailand

• KMUTT’s Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment is hosting the 9th International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environment (SEE 2024). The conference will take place on 18-20 December 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand under the theme of ‘Securing a Sustainable Net-Zero Future Now’. They are accepting abstract submissions until 15 September 2024. Find out more about SEE 2024 Conference here.

Majan University College, Oman

• MUC have become the first higher education institution in Oman to be reaccredited by the Oman’s National Accreditation authority, Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education (OAAAQA). Congratulations to our MUC colleagues! Read the full story here.

Mindanao State University, Philippines

• MSU will host the 12th ASEAN Universities International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF 2024), at the Luxe Hotel on 18-19 November 2024. The conference will convene under the following key themes: the pivotal role of Islamic finance, financial inclusion, and peace and stability. To find out more, visit here.

National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan

• NTUST is hosting the Sixth International Conference on Advances in Distributed Computing and Machine Learning (ICADCML) in Taipei, Taiwan on 09-10 January 2025. The conference will target emerging topics in relation to computing and machine learning and its application such as: Distributed Computing; Machine Learning; Cybersecurity; Quantum Computing. They are accepting paper submissions until the 22 September 2024. Find out more about ICADCML here.
• NTUST’s Professor Wang Ching-Wei, Director of their Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, has developed a new AI model that can accurately identify and segment various types of lesions in CT scan images. The model is tailored for thoracoabdominal CT images, addressing the issue of high labor costs associated with manual annotation. Read the full story here.
• NTUST Team, ‘Let it Go, Let it Flow’ placed third in the WTUN Student Competition earlier this year. Their proposal featured an online feminine hygiene product inquiry and sharing app, focused on mutual aid and reciprocity. Read NTUST’s article about the team’s success here.

Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

• SIT researchers have evaluated how unabsorbed polyphenols can regulate blood glucose levels and appetite. Polyphenols are commonly found in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, seeds, coffee and tea and characteristically have a strong, bitter taste. They are not absorbed by the body and are reported to improve glucose tolerance. Professor Osakabe and his colleagues are investigating the relationship between polyphenol intake and the risk of type II diabetes. Read the full story here.

Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand

• SUT’s Global Entrepreneurship Camp 2025 is now open for registrations. Taking place at SUT from 8-18 January 2025, successful applicants will enhance their entrepreneurship skills and collaborate with peers from across the world under the theme of ‘Sustainable and Resilient Communities: Innovating for a Healthier Planet and People’. Students enrolled on courses at other institutions are eligible to apply. Find out more here.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia

• UTM shares their latest UTM Nexus research magazine. This issue’s theme is ‘Sustainable and Resilient Urbanisation’ with featured articles including, ‘Simply-City’ which explores sustainable and resilient urbanisation and development. Another featured article, ‘Malaysia’s Green Revolution’, discusses Malaysia’s progress towards a sustainable urban environment. Read the full issue here.

Europe

Atlantic Technological University, Ireland

• From the 1 August, ATU’s Operational Board Member, Dr Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin became Chair of the WTUN Operational Board. His appointment was published in an article by The Donegal Daily, an Irish news outlet. Read the full story here.

Technische Universität Ilmenau, Germany

• TU Ilmenau’s AI project, ‘KitchenGuard’,  receives a 12-month EXIST start-up grant from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection and the European Union. ‘KitchenGuard’ is a cooking sensor which utilises AI to make cooking more intuitive. Uses include enhancing induction hobs to be able to automatically regulate the temperature when simmering or boiling water. Read the full story here.
• The Innovation Center for Quantum Optics and Sensor Technology (InQuoSens), based at TU Ilmenau and Friedrich Schiller University Jena, has received €6.26 million (EUR) to further develop technologies at the interface of photonics and sensor technology, making quantum phenomena usable and open to future markets. Read the full story here.

University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Austria

• From 5-7 September, The Expanded Animation conference, organised by FHOOE, will be held for the 12th time. The Conference will include lectures from experts discussing Interactive Experiences, AI and Speculative Futures, Hybrid Spaces, Extended Reality, Creative AI and Performance and Animation. The conference will be livestreamed on YouTube and all presentations will be archived online for free access after the conference. Read the full story here.

Australia

University of Newcastle, Australia

• Researchers at UON, in collaboration with colleagues at University of Sydney, have launched the Triple E Project through The Hunter Medical Research Institute’s (HMRI) Healthy Minds Research Program. The research study will aim to improve teenage engagement with health through apps which enable them to self-monitor health behaviours such as physical activity, diet, sleep, screen time, alcohol intake, smoking and vaping. This program seeks to address concerning statistics such as 86% of Australian teenagers are exceeding recommended screen time limits and 93% are not consuming sufficient fruits and vegetables. Read more about the study here.
• Researchers at UON have joined The Non-Animal Technologies Network which will support the development of innovative strategies to reduce the use of animals in medical research. The network is supported by a $4.5 million (AUD) package from the New South Wales government. Read the full story here.
• The National Health and Medical Research Council of Research Excellence in Digestive Health has awarded $3 million (AUD) to continue its work on finding causes of chronic unexplained gut diseases affecting more than one third of Australians. The Centre is led by UON Distinguished Laureate Professor Nick Talley, AC, a neurogastroenterologist, and is focused on improving quality of life to those suffering from disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia and inflammatory bowel disease. Read the full story here.

To discuss joining the Network please contact the WTUN Development Manager
Denise Whitehead
Email: wtun@bradford.ac.uk

Welcome to this month’s roundup of the stories, updates and events happening across the World Technology Universities Network.

WTUN News:

• Learn more about our member, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, in the latest Member in the Spotlight post. Located in Austria, they are committed to practice orientated teaching and research which dynamically evolve to tackle the challenges of the future.. Read the full profile here.
• This month marks the formal entry of our two newest members: Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (India) and Mindanao State University (Philippines).

News from our Members:

Asia:

Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, India

• This month marks the formal entry of KIIT to the WTUN. We invite members to visit our announcement of KIIT’s membership to find out more about the institution or to visit their website. Read the announcement here and visit their website here.

Mindanao State University, Philippines

• This month marks the formal entry of MSU to the WTUN. We invite members to visit their website to find out more about the institution.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia

• UTM’s Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (FAI) held an AI Insights Talk with The Hive, a venture fund dedicated to co-creating, funding, and launching AI-powered enterprise companies headquartered in Palo Alto, USA. The session included an insightful sharing session titled “The Era of Generative AI: Transformative Technologies, Applications, and Skills for the Future.” Read the full story here.

North America:

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada

• SAIT has announced that their Centre for Innovation and Research in Advanced Manufacturing and Materials is moving into the field of alternative construction technologies. The expansion was made possible thanks to a donation from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund and will provide the regional construction industry with access to robotics, automation and materials science laboratories. Read the full story here.

South America:

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

• UFRN’s Multicampi School of Medical Sciences (EMCM) is celebrating its tenth anniversary which demonstrates innovation and social commitment in its contribution to training and retaining doctors within the state. The EMCM’s undergraduate course in Medicine has evolved to include a Regional Inclusion Argument which provides preferential access to students from local regions. Around half of those who have graduated from the class work within the region. Read the full story here.
• The Brazilian Congress on Active and Healthy Aging (Conbeas) and the 16th International Seminar on Physical Activity for the Elderly (Siafti) have been published. The event was held by UFRN’s Center for Health Sciences (CCS/UFRN) and the Institute of Aging. The Congress addressed themes such as Challenges of population aging, Intergenerationality, and Active Aging. Read the full story here and read the publication here.

Australia

University of Newcastle, Australia

• UON has received a $1 million (AUD) investment from the Mark Hughes Foundation to find a cure for brain cancer. The partnership between the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research and The Brain Cancer Centre hope to fast-track a solution to this disease. Find out more here.

To discuss joining the Network please contact the WTUN Development Manager
Denise Whitehead
Email: wtun@bradford.ac.uk