Category: News

WTUN News Roundup – September 2024

2nd September 2024

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

WTUN welcomes Dr Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin as Operational Board Chair 2024-25

30th August 2024

The World Technology Universities Network is pleased to welcome Dr Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin as Chair, WTUN Operational Board for 2024-25. Elected by his peers on the Operational Board to the role of Deputy last year, Ciarán’s tenure as chair formally began on 1 August 2024.

During his membership of the operational board, Dr Ó hAnnracháin has worked closely with the WTUN Secretariat and General Board on increasing membership of the network, as well as encouraging engagement and participation of ATU staff and students in the network’s activities. This include hackathons, student competitions, PhD student research bursaries and staff research exchanges.

“Participation in these activities allows staff and students to engage with colleagues around the world, giving a real and important global dimension to their work and studies.  It allows us all to look beyond our Euro-centric view of the world and work with students and staff from across the globe, many of whom may have different experiences and perspectives but share a common goal of addressing the 17 SDGs.  I am firmly committed to ensuring that as many staff and students have these opportunities while working and studying at all our ATU campuses”, said Dr Ó hAnnracháin.
Together with WTUN Development Manager, Denise Whitehead, Dr Ó hAnnracháin will travel to Toulouse, location of this year’s EAIE Conference, in September to meet with existing WTUN members and to promote the work of this international alliance of technology universities.

https://www.atu.ie/news/atu-academic-appointed-chair-of-the-operational-board-of-the-world-technology-universities 

ATU Academic to lead board of World Technology Universities Network

On 31 July 2024, Dr Mullika Sungsanit, Suranaree University of Technology, ended her term as Chair of the Operational board and Dr Ó hAnnracháin began his term. He will remain Chair until 31 July 2025, when he will hand over to Dr Chawin Chantharasenawong, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi.

On behalf of the WTUN we would once again like to thank Dr Sungsanit for her work and leadership over the last two years as Deputy/Chair of the Operational Board.

WTUN News Roundup – August 2024

19th August 2024

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

WTUN News:

  • We have shared two new Exchange Case Studies, showcasing the experiences of recipients of the WTUN Exchange Programme fund.
    View the two new case studies here:

    • Dr Farshid Sefat, University of Bradford, visiting King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi: ‘Contributing to the development of Tissue Engineering‘
      Dr Sefat advanced his collaborations with Dr Parichart Naruphontjirakiul (KMUTT), leading to the joint publication of a book chapter.
    • Dr Sascha Senck, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, visiting Suranaree University of Technology: ‘International Collaboration and Culture: Longevity for Partnerships‘
      Dr Senck cultivated a deeper understanding of Thai and Buddhist culture during his visit, enabling him to better engage and connect with his colleagues at SUT and create longevity in his collaborations.
  • As we prepare for WTUC 2024, we are looking back at past keynotes from previous congresses. WTUC 2020’s keynote addressed ‘The UN’s SDGs, Social Responsibility and Our Impact on the World’. During the keynote, WTUN members explored the UN’s SDGs, the responsibility of educational institutions to dedicate themselves to Social Responsibility and to consider the impact of their work on the world. Watch the keynote here.

News from our Members:

Asia:

Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, India

  • HITS held a panel discussion to celebrate 10 years of partnership with IBM. The panel discussed adapting to technological advancements in AI and Cyber Security, providing valuable job market trends and insights from industry experts. Watch the panel discussion 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.

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

  • The August issue of UTM Highlights is now available. This issue includes a short video of Prof. Ir. Dr. Hazuna Binti Selamat discussing if robots and AI will take over humanity, an article on how UTM graduates are a top choice for Malaysian Employers, and a recap of UTM’s AI Talk with The Hive on ‘Unveiling Generative AI’s Future Impact and Skills’. Read the issue here.

Europe

Atlantic Technological University, Ireland

  • ATU launched a free short course to provide learners with an understanding of Ocean Pollution and to motivate all citizens to take ownership of contributing to polluting our waters. The course incorporates the seven ocean literacy principles and the SDGs whilst covering topics like marine litter, noise pollution, plastic pollution and ocean acidification. Find out more here.

University of Bradford, United Kingdom

  • A partnership between UOB and Coegin Pharma AB aims to bring pigmentation peptides to market. The peptides can increase the skin’s ability to produce melanin, creating a natural suntan. The products have proposed applications to increase overall skin pigmentation, treating scars and vitiligo, and to restore natural hair pigmentation to treat grey hairs. Read the full story here.

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

Getting to know Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

6th August 2024

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) formally became a member of the World Technology Universities Network in February 2024. We asked their Operational Board member, Mark Butler, Vice President for Corporate Development, Applied Research and International, to get to know more about SAIT and the city of Calgary, Canada, where its campus lies.

How did you come to work at SAIT and what do you like most about it?

I was working at another institution in the city of Calgary, and when looking to advance my career to a more global-looking and entrepreneurial focus, a role opened up at SAIT that fit my vision. I knew of SAIT due to its brand and from co-collaborating with them on a few international initiatives, so I was excited for the opportunity to work with a truly global and forward-looking institution.

If someone were to visit SAIT, what should they see and do in and around the city of Calgary?

Like in most big cities, I would recommend exploring the city complimented by a visit to Calgary Zoo or an evening visit to Calgary Tower. We are home to the hockey team, Calgary Flames, and (American) football team, Calgary Stampeders so if there’s a match on, anyone visiting should definitely watch a game. There is also the chance to visit Calgary Stampede, the world’s largest Outdoor Rodeo, which hosts a daily evening show and to float down the Calgary River in a canoe.

Stepping outside of the city, visitors must visit the Canadian Rockies for a horseback ride to soak in the landscape and a trip to Banff and the beautiful blue waters of Lake Louise. For anyone particularly interested in nature, a visit to Colombia Icefield Park is a must to take in the chillier side of the Canadian Rockies or the World Heritage Site, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is perfect to see the Plains Buffalo culture. For any archaeology enthusiasts, Dinosaur Provincial Park is great and if you happen to be passing through in winter, you can’t miss snowtubing, which is a great winter activity that doesn’t require too much athletic skill.

What are some interesting research projects and work taking place at the university?

SAIT has a number of interesting research hubs such as the Alternative Construction Technologies (ACT) hub, the first of its kind in Canada working to advance innovative construction solutions using advanced manufacturing technologies such as robotics, automation, and advanced materials. The Alberta Aerospace Research Centre (AARC) focuses on the development of novel aerospace materials and is crucial to the growth of the aerospace industry in Canada whilst the Automation and Robotics Technologies (ART) hub assists SMEs and corporations in adopting advanced digital manufacturing technologies, with a focus on AI, machine learning and robotics.

In addition to these initiatives, CIRAMM is actively engaged in several novel R&D projects, including:

  • Developing carbon-negative masonry materials for 3D construction printing.
  • Developing high-performance alloys, ceramic materials, and metal-matrix composites for applications in aerospace, automotive, energy, and defence industries.
  • Large-scale robot-assisted additive manufacturing (3D printing) of metals, concrete, and high-performance polymers.
  • Developing smart systems and machine vision for laser-based 3D printing processes.
  • Prefabrication of modular houses using robotic systems.
  • Developing advanced nanomaterials for applications in filtering and carbon capture membranes.
  • Developing sustainable composite materials using plant-based products and by-products.

The CERCUTS research area have several interesting projects including:

  • Water Treatment Residuals as a Biofilter – waste products from water treatment will be repurposed to create a biofilter to remove other water contaminants such as phosphorous.
  • Orphan Wells for Energy Generation – gravity will be exploited in abandoned oil wells to drop a mass and spin a generator to generate electricity.
  • Frog Lake First Nations – CERCUTS is developing alternative energy storage solutions in the form of vanadium redox flow batteries.
  • Alternative Water Treatment Technologies – Two projects that will explore alternative water treatment technologies, hybrid water desalination and electrodialysis for produced and/or wastewater from oil and gas wells.
  • Once Through Steam Generation Innovation- CERCUTS is exploring several research avenues to increase efficiency in steam generators used for SAGD applications.

The UN’s SDGs are a focus point for the work and activities of the network (WTUN). Could you tell us more about SAIT’s approach to sustainable development?

SAIT’s academic programming and facilities management work collaboratively to deliver 200+ initiatives under the UN’s SDGs. Our campus is a learning lab, taking a multifaceted approach to sustainable development including embedding sustainability into our programs and everyday practice and the development of the Sustainable Development Advisory Council which unites a network of experts at SAIT in education, applied research, facilities management, communication, and health and public safety to provide mentorship and guidance.

The Department of Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS) works alongside industry, communities and social agencies to enhance the well-being of Canadians, tackle climate change, and create an equitable, diverse and inclusive society. We aim to transform challenges into practical solutions, based in real-world settings, through our four research centres; Clean Energy, Green Building, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Unmanned Drone Systems.We look at sustainability through the lens of the curiosity to empower terrific teams to tackle big problems such as renewable energy, water analysis, circular economy, power storage, alternative energy generation, CO2 sequestration, greener oil and gas, and use reduction, retro-fits of buildings, improved air quality in buildings, unconventional energy integration, and mapping to name a few. By conducting regular evaluations and assessments, researchers measure the impact of interventions, identify gaps and adjust strategies accordingly to ensure the achievement of goals.

Some of our members have campus’ which have sustainability built into their design whilst others have campuses focused on nature, technology and research centres or their student body.  Can you tell us more about the campus at SAIT and your favourite things about being on campus?

On campus, the Green Building Technologies and other Applied Research and Innovation Services living labs use their experts and collaborate with SAIT partners to formulate innovative sustainable solutions to industry and communities.

One of my favourite things about being on campus is the pride I feel when I step into a LEED Gold building such as the Aldred Centre and I am looking forward to our new LEED Standard Campus Centre Redevelopment Project.

Are there any WTUN activities and/or institutions that, as an institution, SAIT is particularly looking forward to connecting with?

At SAIT, we’re looking forward to engaging with WTUN on opportunities to partner with international institutions who have interests in similar areas of applied research.

We’re looking to expand the number and breadth of our international program in the areas of business, advanced digital technology and hospitality and tourism, and feel that our new colleagues at WTUN member institutions will be able to aid us in doing so.

Finally, we’d like to expand on the mobility and exchange opportunities for students, faculty and staff at SAIT, and our membership to WTUN will support us in achieving this goal.

What are some of your local and international partnerships as an institution outside of the WTUN?

We have numerous Canadian Partnerships, including with a number of universities  and institutions here in Alberta. We are also connected to Cape Breton University in Nova Scotia, Lakehead University in Ontario, Capilano University, Royal Roads University, Thompson Rivers University, University of British Colombia and University of Victoria in British Colombia.

Across the globe we have partnerships in Europe with Edinburgh Napier University in the UK and Aspira University College in Croatia. We’re proud to have partnerships with Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Lovely Professional University in India, Queensland University of Technology and Griffith University in Australia, and numerous institutions in the USA including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical, Northwood University, University of North Dakota and Golden Gate University,

What are some of the things you’re most proud of at SAIT and some milestones the institution has achieved?

When SAIT was established in 1916, Sit was the first of its kind, publicly funded technical school in North America. Since, SAIT has continued to be a pioneering institution and opened Canada’s first remotely-piloted aviation training centres, through an academic partnership with ANAVIA, SwissDrones, Dufour Aerospace, and Velos Rotors and joined NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) Network.

We celebrate being recognized by Mediacorp Canada Inc. as one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2024, and to be ranked sixth by Research Infosource Inc. in the Top 50 Research Colleges in Canada for 2023. CEOWORLD Magazine ranked the SAIT School of Business #49 on the list of Best Business Schools in the World for 2024, and the School of Hospitality and Tourism placed #14 on their list of Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in the World for 2024.

Our programs focus on curriculum and research priorities through industry partnerships to ensure graduates have the skills and knowledge required to fulfil the demand for talent.

Finally, looking forward, what are some goals and milestones that SAIT would like to achieve in the future?

To continue to expand our network around learning from a global lens and to give back to the world where we can, from our long and varied history of learning.

Member in the Spotlight: Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

Welcome to our ‘Member in the Spotlight’ series, where we showcase the research focuses and work of our members. We hope these profiles support you in getting to know our members and to identify themes in your work and focuses where you may be able to collaborate with colleagues at member institutions. 

Introducing…Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

Who are Southern Alberta Institute of Technology?

The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), based in Calgary, Alberta, is the first publicly funded technical institute in Canada (1916), and the second oldest post-secondary institution in the city. It is also the third largest institution in the province of Alberta. 

As a global leader in applied education, SAIT embeds digital and leadership literacy, continuous and flexible learning and industry experiences and connections in its teachings. SAIT supports over 20,000 domestic students and apprentices attending full-time credit programs, as well as, 6,700 international credit and non-credit students. Of the 270,000 SAIT Alumni, 93 countries are represented. 

SAIT has many local and international partnerships around the world including with 24 Canadian institutions and 17 international universities and through 16 international collaborations.

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Campus

What are their research focuses?

Through applied research excellence SAIT transforms challenges into solutions. SAIT’s Applied Research and Innovation Services hosts four research centres and independent scientists working on sustainable solutions and innovations (Clean Energy, Green Building, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Unmanned Drone Systems) SAIT’s strong collaborative approach includes government, industry, communities and civil society fostering interdisciplinary and collective action toward the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Leveraging expertise from various fields to develop holistic solutions. SAIT looks at sustainability through the lens of the curiosity: of their experts and students, institutional faculty and use their advanced labs to empower terrific teams to tackle big problems. 

The four research focus areas of SAIT’s applied research area include: 

SAIT researchers in CIRAMM have undertaken a project to develop a new device which can bring real-time measurement to the onshore oil market. This device is smaller, cleaner and more efficient, and prevents the need to separate out oil, gas and water in pipes to measure their ratios. With this device, there is capacity to monitor in real-time, increase safety, reduce downtime, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. 

A project within CIRUS looks at using Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS, also known as drones) to be used in industries where human access is difficult or unsafe to improve safety and expand data collection. Examples of use includes delivering medical supplies to remote access communities and in infrastructure inspections.

CERCUTS is developing alternative energy storage solutions with Frog Lake First Nations, in the form of vanadium redox flow batteries while GBTAC researchers focus their projects on net-zero energy, building integrated renewable energy, architectural ecology, smart building management and materials and advanced component assembly. They use their living labs to collaborate with SAIT partners to formulate innovative sustainable solutions to industry and communities. 

SAIT and the WTUN

Dr David Ross, President and CEO, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

General Board Member: Dr David Ross, President and CEO

Operational Board Member: Mark Butler, Vice President of Corporate Development, Applied Research and International

If you want to learn more about SAIT, you can view their Member Profile or read some recent stories we have shared in our news roundups about their work: 

WTUN News Roundup – August 2024

5th August 2024

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

Member in the Spotlight: University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria

23rd July 2024

Welcome to our ‘Member in the Spotlight’ series, where we showcase the research focuses and work of our members. We hope these profiles support you in getting to know our members and to identify themes in your work and focuses where you may be able to collaborate with colleagues at member institutions. 

Introducing…University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria

Who are University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria?

University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (FHOÖ) is a multi-campus university in Austria, Europe with campuses in Hagenburg, Linz, Steyr and Wels.  

The university delivers teaching and research which is practice orientated and dynamically evolves to tackle the challenges of the future. Their staff and students are at the heart of their success in setting important impulses for growth and production within Austria and its business and educational sectors.  

FHOÖ’s motto, “teaching and learning with pleasure – researching with curiosity”, summarises their ethos and mission as a university. 

University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria’s campus.

What are their research focuses?

FHOÖ has four schools across four campus locations: Informatics, Communications and Media (Hagenburg Campus), Medical Engineering and Applied Social Sciences (Linz Campus), Business and Management (Steyr Campus), and Engineering (Wels Campus).  Underpinning the research and teaching undertaken in these schools, are Centers of Excellence, outlining focuses for the research and development projects taking place at the University. 

  • ICT – Information and Communications Technology
    • Advanced Information Systems Technology, Embedded AI and Embedded Systems 
    • Human Computer Interaction, Digital Media Lab, Human Interfaces & Virtual Environments, Education and Life in a Digital World, Secure Information Systems 
    • Prescriptive Analytics 
  • Medical Engineering/TIMed Center 
    • Bioinformatics, Biomimetics and Materials Development 
    • Hybrid Surgical Simulators, Model Building and Simulation, Motion Analysis and Biomechanics 
    • Prosthetics and Sensors, Medical Device Software, Ergonomics and Ageing in the Work Environment
  • Smart Production 
    • Symbolic Regression, Adaptive Optimisation, Smart Operations, Smart Production, Business Analytics, Extender Reality and Intelligent Systems 
  • Societal Transformation and Social Innovation 
    • Digisocilisation – Transformations in a Digisocial World 
    • Social Work Research, Innovations in the Public Sector, Transformation of Organizations People and Planet, Impact Evalution, Living Care Lab 
  • Logistics 
    • AWARD – Automated Transport Logistics Despite Harsh Weather Conditions, Josef Ressel Center for Predictive Analytics and Data-Driven Intelligence in Value Networks (PREVAIL), Predictive Resource Planning in the Warehouse, SURE – SUstainable and REsilient Interconnected Supply Chains 
  • Digital Transformation 
    • Digital Strategy and Innovation, Digital Marketing and Commerce, Digital Work and Life 
    • AI Catalyst for SMEs, Forward-Looking Financial Research: Digital Innovations and Skills Development 
  • Energy & Power 
    • Hydrogen Technologies 
  • Automotive and Mobility 
    • Networks and Mobility Materials
  • Materials
    • Materials with defined properties are the basis for both highly specialized applications and everyday products. At the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, research is carried out along the entire process chain, from material selection and modification to the finished component. Plastics, composites, metals and surface coatings as well as the non-destructive testing methods 3D X-ray computed tomography (CT) and active thermography are the focus of the research work.
  • Food Technology & Nutrition
    • K1 Center FFoQSI, Josef Ressel Center for Active Phytogenic Substances, REACT Enabling Technologies for Zero Defect Manufacturing and more
    • The Food Technology  Nutrition platform deals with topics such as ingredients and the modification of food and animal feed. In addition, various plant-based active ingredients are researched at cellular and molecular level. Another topic is quality assurance in the area of food quality (food control) using various measurement methods.

Read more about the research undertaken across FHOÖ’s campuses, schools and Centres of Excellence ‘Range of Services’. 

Examples of the research projects covered include: 

  • Human-Centered Artificial intelligence; a program which aims to develop methods to make Artificial Intelligence more understandable, transparent and fair for humans and to support the interaction between humans and AI systems (pg. 12). 
  • Hybrid – Hydrogen Based Research Infrastructure Development Infrastruktur; a comprehensive hydrogen research and testing infrastructure to support and advance the sustainable structural change of industry and society towards climate neutrality (pg. 38). 
  • FOOD-RESCUE; a project which focuses on the development of a self-service trading platform with a logistics solution for foodstuffs to bring supply and demand together (pg.12). 

Find out more details about ongoing research work in the FHOÖ ‘Research Projects’ booklet. 

FHOÖ and the WTUN

Professor Michael Affenzeller, Provost, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria

General Board Member: Professor Michael Affenzeller, Provost, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria

Operational Board Member: Kamilla Trubicki, Head of International Office, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria

FHOÖ, as a member, has been involved in several WTUN activities from hosting and sending staff for exchange, collaborating on themes such as: Human-Centered Computing and Data Visualisation; Medical Engineering for Medical Implants; Advanced Manufacturing and NanoTechnologies; Hydrogen Technologies. 

They have also deepened collaboration partnerships with WTUN-member colleagues outside of formal network activities including; FHOÖ student attending Suranaree University of Technology’s (SUT) Global Entrepreneurship Camp and Dr Sascha Senck delivering lessons to students at SUT. 

If you want to learn more about FHOÖ, you can view their Member Profile or read some recent stories shared via the WTUN News Roundup: 

WTUN News Roundup – July 2024

22nd July 2024

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, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, in the latest Member in the Spotlight post. Based in Brazil, they are committed to innovation, social responsibility and sustainable development. Read the full profile here.
  • Missed our WTUN for International Women in Engineering Day webinar? Watch the webinar replay here.

WTUN Members ONLY:

World Technology Universities Congress 2024

Registration is open for World Technology Universities Congress 2024 until Wednesday 31 July 2024. WTUC2024 will be hosted by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Johor Bahru from Wednesday 02 to Friday 04 October.

For further information about the congress, please visit our Congress pages here.

Call for Speakers

This year’s congress theme is ‘Planetary Health: Alliances for Diplomacy, Harnessing University Collabortions for Planetary Health“. Delegates are invited to submit expressions of interest (EOIs) to present on the following sub-themes:

  • Interdisciplinary Research Initiatives for Planetary Health
  • Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Community Engagement and Action for Planetary Health
  • Environment, Social and Governance for Planetary Health

The deadline for submitting EOIs is Thursday 25 July. EOIs should include a draft title and a brief abstract and be emailed to wtun@bradford.ac.uk. All members should have received an email with further information about this call for speakers. Please contact the WTUN Secretariat should you require further support.

Important Travel Information

Delegates are advised to arrive at Amari Hotel (Johor Bahru) on Tuesday 01 October by either of the following methods:

  1. Arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and take a connecting, internal flight to (Johor Bahru) Senai International Airport and arrive at Amari Hotel in Johor Bahru either via bus or a Grab car.
    Please note: UTM will be running an Airport Collection Service from Johor Bahru Senai International Airport on Tuesday 01 October at 09:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 22:00.
  2. Arrive at Singapore Changi Airport and head to Johor Bahru CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex) by public transportation. From Johor Bahru CIQ, delegates can arrive at Amari Hotel either on foot (15 minutes) or via a Grab car.

Following the end of the programme, on Saturday 05 October, UTM will provide onward travel from Tioman Island to Mersing Jetty and then to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. If sufficient delegates indicate that they will return via Singapore Changi Airport, then UTM may be able to provide travel to Johor Bahru CIQ.

To learn more about the venue, accommodation and travel guidance, visit the Venue and Travel Information page here.

News from our Members:

Africa:

Women’s University in Africa, Zimbabwe

  • WUA has partnered with the Association of African Universities (AAU) to establish a South Africa Regional Office (SARO). Vice Chancellors, Higher Education regulators and Heads of Research Institutes are invited to join WUA as they introduce themselves as the hosts of AAU SARO. The meeting will be held online on Wednesday 31 July from 11:00 to 14:00 (GMT+2). Find out more here.

Asia:

Ahlia University, Bahrain

  • The College of Business and Finance at Ahlia has achieved International Accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The prestigious accreditation was testament to Ahlia’s efforts to enhance the quality of education in Bahrain’s higher education environment. Read the full story here.

National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan

  • NTUST has launched ‘Talk to Me’, a special podcast series highlighting the mental health of international students in Taiwan. The podcast features counselling expert, Dr. Hsu Shuo-Yi, addressing the challenges foreign students face and helpful strategies to cope. The podcast collaborates with students, teaching assistants, and instructors. You can listen to the podcast here.
  • NTUST’s latest newsletter is now available. As NTUST prepare to celebrate their 50th anniversary, featured stories reflect on the defining spirit of the university. Read about the innovative startup from Indonesian students who founded PT Daun Pintar Raya, which automates hydroponic systems to support Indonesian farmers and about Professor FANG Shao-Yun, a leader in advanced circuit design research, who advocates for greater female participation in technological fields. Read the newsletter here.

Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

  • Professor Muralidhar Miryala, Operational Board Member for SIT and Former WTUN Operational Board Chair, has been awarded the American Telugu Association (ATA) Excellence Award in Science & Technology for his contributions and dedication to research in high-temperature superconductivity. On behalf of the WTUN, we’d like to extend our congratulations to Professor Miryala. Read more about the achievement here.
  • SIT academic, Professor Izabela Rzeznicka, visited Botswana for the SusMine project. The project launched in 2022 and researchers from Botswana, Japan, and South Africa collaborate to address environmental problems caused by heavy metals mining in Botswana. SIT aims to provide an affordable and on-demand method for copper quantification in waters using smartphones. Read the full story here.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia

  • UTM’s Highlights Issue 7 is now available. July’s issue includes breakthroughs, events and stories from UTM’s campus. Stories include partnerships, such as UTM-Kamarizs Medicare to strengthen health research and news about an undergraduate AI degree offering specialisations in topics such as manufacturing and agriculture. You can find the newsletter here.

South America:

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

  • UFRN is accepting applications to the Girls in Space project. The project aims to stimulate the interest of girls and women in the aerospace sector and promote trainings in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. The project will offer 5 places to undergraduate students and 4 places to postgraduate students. Both places come with a scholarship. Find out more here.

Europe:

Technische Universität Ilmenau, Germany

  • TU Ilmenau is working with Kompass GmbH to develop a wireless sensor technology and underground communication which will monitor both the Co2 emissions of peatlands and the nitrate contamination of groundwater. This monitoring hopes to produce efficient measures to protect the environment and health on the basis of the measured values. Read the full story here.
  • Max Großmann is investigating a new method for computer aided materials research in his doctoral thesis at the Institute of Physics at TU Ilmenau under the supervision of Prof. Erich Runge. Machine learning methods have become increasingly popular in materials science, and can be used to design new materials for energy storage or medicine and detecting material damage. Current applications are expensive and labor-extensive. Großmann aims to provide faster and more efficient applications. Read the full story here.

University of Bradford, United Kingdom

  • Dr Becky Alexis-Martin, Lecturer in Peace, Science and Technology presents her research ‘Epistemic Nuclear Justice: Changing What We Don’t Know’ to United Nations delegates. Her research aims to ensure communities know that they have a right to their own history, that their health issues are taken seriously, and any environmental harms are recognised. It also looks to ensure communities have an opportunity to take part in the democratic process of making global policy. Read the full story here.
  • Dr Pedi Obani, Associate Professor in the School of Law, has been awarded £1.28 million for a four-year project from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding body to examine ways in which climate change adversely impact women and present her findings to governments in Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya. Dr Obani will also create a framework to provide solutions to social and cultural gender inequalities exacerbated by climate change. Read the full story here.

Australia

University of Newcastle, Australia

  • UON is an inaugural member of the first Australian national, cross-university network which will advocate for and advance digital health through collaboration and evidence-based research. Read the full story here.
  • UON’s I2N’s Startup Stories featured the work of Leonie Cutts and Craig Browne who developed the innovative app, CARISA, designed to combat social isolation in residential aged care facilities. The University’s I2N works with individuals and organisations to turn ideas and challenges into opportunity, cultivating regional entrepreneurship. Read the full story here or watch Leonie Cutts and Craig Browne discuss developing their tech solution here.

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

ICYMI – Watch the replay now: WTUN for International Women in Engineering Day 2024- ‘Enhanced by Engineering’

16th July 2024

In case you missed it!

WTUN for International Women in Engineering Day 2024- ‘Enhanced by Engineering’

For full information, speaker details and to watch the replay visit – https://www.wtu-n.net/webinars/

Date: Wednesday 26 June

Time: 14.00 (UK Time/GMT+1)

Platform: Online webinar via Teams

This event was to mark this year’s ‘WTUN for International Women in Engineering Day (INWED)’. Once again, the breadth of topics covered demonstrates the plurality and varied areas of expertise in which Network members are engaged; this time coming together under the 2024 theme ‘Enhanced by Engineering’. Read more about INWED and the Women’s Engineering Society here.

WTUN News Roundup – July 2024

8th July 2024

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, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, in the latest Member in the Spotlight post. Based in Brazil, they are committed to innovation, social responsibility and sustainable development. Read the full profile here.
  • The WTUN Secretariat had the pleasure of speaking to this year’s recipient of the BC Scholarship Prize, Nadiia Sadova, PhD Candidate at University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria. Read the interview to learn more about Nadiia’s research and what being awarded the prize means for her.

WTUN Members ONLY:

  • Registration is now open for World Technology Universities Congress 2024, hosted by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Johor Bahru from Wednesday 02 to Friday 04 October. All  members have been contacted with details and how to register. For further information about the congress, please visit our Congress pages here.

News from our Members:

Asia:

King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand

  • KMUTT participated in the Global Sustainable Development Congress 2024, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and leadership in promoting sustainable practices in Thailand. The congress brings together higher education providers, government, industrial sectors and civil society to discuss ways to create a more sustainable future. Read the full article here.

National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan

  • Professor Jem-Kun Chen has developed a “fully automated laser diffraction label-free flow cytometry system” that can detect the number of cancer circulating tumor cells (CTCs) within an hour and detect tiny micro-metastasis and disease risk early, supporting early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The research has also won the National Innovation Award. Read the full story here.
  • Professor Huei-Tse Hou has developed a game which allows locals and tourists to learn more about the cultural and historical site “Seimokuya” in Puzi, Chiayi, Taiwan and stimulate local tourism. The game is based on principles of cognitive psychology and allows players to glimpse the evolution of urban development in Taiwan, by exploring the streets of Puzi. Read the full story here.
  • NTUST celebrates their student team placing third in the WTUN Student Competition. The team, “Let it Go, Let it Flow”, proposed an online feminine hygiene product inquiry and sharing app to help women instantly check where they can get sanitary products. Users are also encouraged to donate the same amount of sanitary products in return, achieving the goal of mutual aid and reciprocity. Read the full story here.

Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

  • Ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems use consistent thermal energy below the earth’s surface to provide heating and cooling for buildings, providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional heating, ventilation and air-conditioning. Researchers at SIT investigate their efficacy in tropical regions, for sustainable urban development in Southeast Asia. Read the full story here.

Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand

  • Associate Professor Dr Sirirat Tubsungnoen Rattanachan presented at the WTUN for International Women in Engineering Day event in June. She presented the work of her research team, a “Customized Calcium Phosphate Bone Augmentation”, or personalized calcium phosphate bone graft material, developed by Thai researchers. Read the full story here.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia

  • UTM’s Faculty of Computing hosted the ‘Faculty of Computing Research and Innovation (FCRI) Day x Meet & Greet with Industries (MGI) 2024’. The event fosters collaboration, enhances research and promotes innovation within the faculty and industry. The theme for this year’s event was ‘AI Transforming Tomorrow’ and highlighted the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in shaping the future of technology and industry. Read the full story here.

North America:

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada

  • SAIT reflects on its efforts to decolonize their education opportunities and to remove systemic barriers to Indigenous success. The journey includes hiring Jennifer Russel, Director of Indigenous Engagement and an Indigenous Graduation Ceremony to honour the First Nation, Métis and Inuit graduates, to renaming SAIT’s Indigenous student support space and a course for employees to engage in anti-racism education and promote a transformative relationship between Canadians and Indigenous peoples. Read the full story here.

South America:

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Europe:

Atlantic Technological University, Ireland

  • ATU researchers working on the Project Tech2Heal have been awarded €1.4 million to bridge technology and care to empower rural workforces, address health disparities and improve patient outcomes. The project aims to support those living in peripheral areas live healthier for longer by proposing suitable changes to work and health policies. Read the full story here.
  • Listen to ATU Podcast to hear their latest news and research. Their newest episode covers Dr Edel McSharry and Sean Kelly discuss their inspiring stories of leading nursing students to Uganda to participate in life-changing community projects. Listen to the episode here.
  • Ruth Quinn, Assistant Lecturer in Civil, Environment and Water Engineering, shares why we should be collecting and using rainwater, to tackle challenges around climate change such as drought and intense storms. Read the full article here.

Technische Universität Ilmenau, Germany

  • The EU Commission has approved the network, European University Alliance SUNRISE, led by TU Ilmenau. SUNRISE, standing for Smaller (Strategic) Universities Network for Regional Innovative and Sustainable Evolution), aims o develop concepts for innovative teaching and learning formats, study programs and student mobility, as well as strategies for improved joint research, but also for more intensive cooperation with business and society. Read the full story here.
  • Researchers at TU Ilmenau have concluded that the 4-day week can make organisations more flexible and strengthen their workforce when tailored to their company needs. The project tested variants over 6-12 months and established that while some employees felt more relaxed, others felt an increased work pressure. For the companies observed, the 4-day week had no negative effects on figures, customer satisfaction or productivity. In one instance, sickness rate fell significantly. Read the full story here.

University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Austria

  • FHOÖ celebrate their PhD Candidate, Nadiia Sadova’s success. Nadiia was awarded the WTUN BC Scholarship Prize 2024 for cutting-edge research which is beneficial to people and society. Her work investigates how the intestinal barrier behaves under different stress factors and the implementation of the Drosophilia melanogaster (fruit fly) model organism. Read the full story here.

University of Bradford, United Kingdom

  • The Whole-School Physical Activity conference 2024 (WSPA24) concluded that schools pay a key role in addressing long term health inequalities. The conference hear from academics, teachers, psychologists, locality and national partners, and health researchers and pushed for a Creating Active Schools framework to promote children’s physical activity throughout their school day, and not just in breaktimes. Read the full story here.

Australia

University of Newcastle, Australia

  • Clinical researchers look to use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of bladder cancer. Standard practice currently involves resecting the tumour to remove as much of the cancer as possible and hasn’t changed much in 100 years. Using MRI hopes to see how deep the tumour is before operating. Read the full story here.
  • PhD student Molly Grew has led a study which has uncovered the role stingrays play in shaping estuaries. The threatened stingrays may move more than 21,000 tonnes of sand per year, which is a similar mass to the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt. They do this by creating pits in the sand during feeding and sleeping which helps oxygen penetrate the sand, providing nutrients to organisms. Read the full story here.

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

© World Technology Universities Network 2025