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World Technology Universities Congress launches third annual gathering in India

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The University of Bradford launches the third World Technology Universities Congress in India today, the first time it has been held outside the UK.

The three-day conference takes place in Chennai and follows successful events hosted by Bradford in 2016 and 2017 and the creation of the World Technology Universities Network.

Representatives from institutions across the world have converged on the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and the Hindustan Institute of Science and Technology to discuss some of the world’s major issues and challenges and what universities working together can do to meet those challenges and help deliver solutions.

Among the discussion topics will be how the network can harness its collective strength for innovation through global collaboration, and how the network can contribute to the UN’s sustainable development goals.

The network was championed by Bradford’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Cantor. Its purpose is to

  • promote better understanding of the role and the characteristics of the technology university
  • promote mobility and global citizenship opportunities;
  • collaborate on research and knowledge transfer to address global challenges;
  • develop position and policy statements;
  • facilitate links between world technology universities and industry, NGOs and SMEs;
  • share best practice, and provide opportunities for capacity-building among members.

Professor Cantor said: ‘Higher education, research, science and innovation are key drivers of economic growth, which depends on the positive exploitation of knowledge. Education transforms lives and societies, providing the route for technological advancement and social mobility.

‘By harnessing the combined strength, resource, expertise, experience and knowledge of a network of the world’s great technology universities, we will create a global alliance of the brightest and best, dedicated to making knowledge work for the benefit of society.

“The network, following a successful launch in Bradford last year, goes from strength to strength and while we look forward to a productive congress in India, it’s great that next year’s event has already been confirmed and will take place at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology in Taipei.”