Bradford hosts world's first Technology Universities Congress
The University of Bradford is to host the first World Technology Universities Congress aimed at creating a global partnership between education, business, governments and development organisations.
The Congress takes place at the University's Richmond Road campus on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 September 2016 with a number of high profile speakers and an extensive programme.
The Congress will provide a setting for considering the feasibility of the creation of a World Technology Universities Network and agreeing terms of reference and objectives for such a network.
If a core number of universities are in agreement, the Congress will also act as the launch event for the Network. The Congress will provide a platform for senior figures from technology universities, business, government and NGOs to develop alliances and discuss capacity-building opportunities. It will also consider the importance of educating graduates to be global citizens in a technology-rich 21st Century.
The Congress will provide the opportunity for the presentation and sharing of ideas on the application of emerging technologies and create opportunities for technology universities and businesses to showcase how they jointly work towards addressing the challenges society faces.
Attending will be representatives of institutions from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and North America.
Speakers at the Congress will include Mike Houghton, Managing Director of Siemens Process Industries and Drives; Tom Baker, Business Development Director, Smart and Healthier Cities, BT Global Services; Michael Cervenka, Head of Strategic Research Centre, Rolls-Royce; Christophe Chazot, Head of Innovation, HSBC; Vivienne Stern, Director of UK Higher Education International Unit; Dr Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice-Chancellor, York University, Toronto; Professor Brian MacCraith, President, Dublin City University; Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Metropolitan District Council; Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director of the National Media Museum; Baroness Ann Taylor, University of Bradford’s Chair of Council and Professor Brian Cantor, Bradford’s Vice-Chancellor.
Professor Cantor said: “Technology universities are at the heart of the 21st century information revolution, with countries worldwide competing aggressively to build knowledge economies.
“Economic strength depends on high tech manufacturing and international trade, with a knowledge economy based on high-quality research, and a steady flow of highly-trained graduates. This has created demand for both the research and the graduates from well-established technology universities like those in the proposed World Technology Universities Network.
“I am very proud that Bradford, with its worldwide reputation as a technology university and its world-leading research, is taking a lead in this initiative and will be hosting such a prestigious, global gathering.”