World universities converge on Bradford for inaugural global Technology Universities Congress

The Congress takes place at the University’s Emm Lane and Richmond Road campuses on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 September 2016 with a range of high profile speakers and an extensive programme. It aims to create a global partnership between education, business, governments and development organisations.

Delegates will travel from institutions in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and North America, together with leaders of major organisations and industry.

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, a statement of intent to develop the Network will be signed. 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.

Speakers at the Congress will include The Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, Getachew Engida: Vivienne Stern, Director of UK Higher Education International Unit; Baroness Ann Taylor, University of Bradford’s Chair of Council; Dr Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice-Chancellor, York University, Toronto; Professor Brian MacCraith, President, Dublin City University; Professor Julia Buckingham, Vice-Chancellor and President, Brunel University; Professor Bertil Andersson, President, Nanyang Technological University; Professor Wahid bin Omar, Vice-Chancellor, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia; Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director of the National Media Museum; and Professor Brian Cantor, Bradford’s Vice-Chancellor.

Speakers from business and industry 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; and Helen Finch, Senior Manager for External Technical Engagement, Jaguar Land Rover.

Senior international academics will chair education and research sessions, including Professor Hu Shougen, President of the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Professor Peter Coaldrake, Vice-Chancellor of Queensland University of Technology, and Professor Per Michael Johansen, Rector of Aalborg University.

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.”

You can follow the event by using #WTUCongress.