Tag: Congress
Reflections on WTUC 2023
Following the meeting of WTUN members for the 8th Annual WTUN Congress, Chair and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bradford, UK, Shirley Congdon reflects:
“This year’s congress allowed the WTUN members to share their solutions to the fundamental challenge of the modern world; Sustainability. Sustainability as it relates to research, innovation, education, technologies, university campuses and their operations and how entrepreneurship can offer more rapid and impactful ways of enabling a fair and just transition to net zero. WTUN members are united and committed to ensuring the next generations view sustainability with the broad landscape of equality, diversity and inclusion to act so that no groups are left behind on the sustainability journey.”
On behalf of the World Technology Universities Network, we extend our thanks to all involved at this year’s hosts, TU Ilmenau, for their efforts in ensuring the three-day event was a success.
From the hosts, TU Ilmenau:
TU Ilmenau discussed sustainable future with technical universities from all over the world
At the invitation of the Technical University ofIlmenau, technical universities from all over the world discussed the topic “Sustainable Future: Global Trends and the Role and Responsibility of Technical Universities” for three days at the annual conference of the World Technologies Universities Network (WTUN), an international association of technical universities, in Erfurt. The conference theme coincides with TU Ilmenau’s theme year “Sustainability”. The keynote address was given by the renowned Potsdam climate impact researcher Prof. Stefan Rahmstorf.
From October 9 to 11, 50 participants from Europe, Asia, Africa and South America met at the World Technologies Universities Conference to explore global trends for sustainable development and discuss the role and responsibility of universities in addressing the complex issues of our time. What is the role of technical universities in the shift toward greater sustainability? What are the particular challenges they face? What innovations are helping to educate tomorrow’s scientists, engineers, and citizens? How does the focus on sustainability influence innovation and entrepreneurship?
Participants at the conference presented best practices from their institutions: best practices and successful examples of incorporating social responsibility, sustainable entrepreneurship and a culture of global citizenship into their communities. The conference organizer, Prof. Jens Müller, Vice President for International Relations and Transfer at TU Ilmenau, was extremely pleased with the way the three days of discussions went: “The conference presentations and the lively discussions showed that we face very comparable challenges regardless of country and continent of origin and that we can learn from each other on many points.”
The keynote speaker at the conference was Prof. Stefan Rahmstorf of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. In his English-language presentation, “The Climate Crisis in the Public Debate of Science, Opponents and Populists,” he argued that science must not give up on rejecting misrepresentations and communicating data-based findings on climate change and its drivers. For example, he showed how selective omission of temperature data derives false findings that downplay the importance of man-made influence.
The World Technology Universities Network aims to empower future generations to meet the challenges of the 21st century through cutting-edge research with direct benefits for people and society. The universities conduct joint research projects, maintain regular exchanges with each other and strive to promote society’s understanding of the tasks, work and research fields of technical universities worldwide.
Read more about WTUC 2023 HERE
Original article https://www.tu-ilmenau.de/en/news/tu-ilmenau-discussed-sustainable-future-with-technical-universities-from-all-over-the-world
What our Members Say- WTUC 2022
During the World Technology Universities Congress 2022 hosted by Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand, a group of student volunteers interviewed delegates to learn more about their institutional motivations for membership of the WTUN and what they hoped to achieve during WTUC 2022.
Hear what they had to say here:
Inaugural WTUN Annual Lecture
The World Technology Universities Network is pleased to announce the inaugural WTUN Annual Lecture.
Coinciding with the WTUN Congress, the first of the WTUN’s Annual Lecture’s will be delivered by Professor Stefan Rahmstorf, Head of Earth System Analysis at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
10 October 11.00-12.00 (CEST/GMT+2)
Register now- HERE
Title: The climate crisis in the public debate between science, contrarians and populists
“The public climate debate is often completely detached from what is known and debated among experts. It is strongly influenced by targeted disinformation, well-paid lobbying, media with political agendas often owned by super-rich people, populist politicians and elderly gentlemen desperately defending their worldview against inconvenient findings.
There is thus a huge disconnect between the expert discussion and the public debate on climate science and climate solutions. With thirty years of experience both in advancing climate science and communicating it to the public at large, I will present some observations and examples from both fronts, ranging from paleoclimate reconstructions (the ‘hockey stick’ curves) to heat pumps.”
Location: World Technology Universities Congress hosted by TU Ilmenau, Erfurt.
Date: Tuesday 10 October 2023
Time: 11:00 – 12:00
Biography
Stefan Rahmstorf is Co-Head of Research Department on Earth System Analysis of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and Professor of Physics of the Oceans at the University of Potsdam.
A physicist and physical oceanographer by training, Stefan Rahmstorf’s research focusses on paleoclimate, ocean circulation, sea level, extreme weather events and Earth System modeling.
After working at the New Zealand Oceanographic Institute and the Institute of Marine Science in Kiel, Stefan Rahmstorf joined PIK in 1996. He holds a professorship of Physics of the Oceans at the University of Potsdam since 2000. From 2004 to 2013 Stefan Rahmstorf advised the German government as a member of its Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU).
He is not only an outstanding and highly cited scientist but also a sought-after science communicator and speaker, winning e.g. the Climate Communication Prize of the American Geophysical Union in 2017. He co-founded the award-winning Realclimate and KlimaLounge blogs and is Europe’s climate scientist with the most Twitter followers (2020).
(www.pik-potsdam.de/members/stefan/homepage)
University of Potsdam, Institute of Physics and Astronomy
Head of Earth System Analysis, PIK
Fellow of the American Geophysical Union
Honorary Fellow of the University of Wales/Bangor
Member of the Academia Europaea
Popular books:
Wolken, Wind & Wetter (Die Kinderuni)
The Climate Crisis
Our Threatened Oceans / Wie bedroht sind die Ozeane?
Der Klimawandel
The eighth World Technology Universities Congress (WTUC2023)
The eighth World Technology Universities Congress (WTUC2023) will be hosted by Technische Universität (TU) Ilmenau 9-11 October 2023
The Conference will take place in the heart of Germany in the historic city of Erfurt, capital of the State of Thuringia.
Congress Overview: The 2023 Congress will explore global trends via our diverse speakers and explore the role and responsibility of HE institutions in tackling the most complex issues of our time.
What part do technology universities play in the sustainability transition? If we accept that the world needs cutting edge research to address the complex environmental and societal challenges that it poses; to what extent should technology universities be held responsible for the influence and impact, they have in the development of sustainable practices?
What are the unique challenges facing technology universities? What innovations are happening educate the tomorrows workforce of scientists, engineers, and citizens. How does the focus on sustainability influence innovation and entrepreneurship? What factors will inform student decision making and how can HEIs respond to an increasing demand (and scrutiny) to demonstrate their commitment to living the values of sustainability? We invite speakers to demonstrate best practice and successful examples of embedding social responsibility, sustainable entrepreneurship, and a culture of global citizenship amongst their communities.
Delegates are invited to reflect, share and challenge on a range issues related to sustainability, including the impact institutions have on their communities and places, the role of the UN SDGs in institutional strategic plans and the incorporation of green policies, sustainable campus master-planning (green-washing or genuine commitment), embedding sustainability in curriculum, teaching and learning; embedding social responsibility and a culture of local and global citizenship across communities and disciplines.
WTUC2023 sub-themes:
- Supporting Entrepreneurship – The Fast Way for Transformation
- Sustainability in Education – Creating Awareness for Future Leaders
- The Sustainable Campus as the Basis for Credibility
- Strategies for Sustainability Communications
- Sustainability in Research – the Leading Role and Responsibilities of Higher Education Institutions
WTUC2023 – Save the Date
If you are interested in attending WTUC 2023 or have further questions about the Network, please contact Denise Whitehead, Development Manager, on wtun@bradford.ac.uk.
World Technology University Conference aims for ‘application of innovation’ and collaboration
An annual conference that brings together universities from across the globe is helping facilitate original research and collaborations to show how people can benefit from new technology.
Read more- University of Bradford attend WTUC2022
WTUN Congress 2022 Programme
THE 2022 CONGRESS Programme
Planning for the WTUN Congress 2022 is well underway and we cannot wait to join this year’s hosts, Suranaree University of Technology in welcoming you all to Korat in November.
The programme is almost complete so please take a look at the session and speakers that we have lined up.
WTUN Congress 2022 – Registration Open
THE 2022 CONGRESS
The seventh World Technology Universities Congress (WTUC2022) will be hosted by Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand on 22-24 November 2022. Nakhon Ratchasima (or Korat), which is known as the gateway to beautiful highlands of the Northeastern region. The province is the largest province in Thailand and the most prosperous province in the region, boasting its richness in culture and biodiversity amidst the splendor of lush mountainous landscapes.