IIT-M organises first world technology universities congress

Over 100 delegates from 30 organisations across the world converged in Chennai to discuss some of the world’s major issues and challenges and explore how universities working together can meet them and deliver solutions.

Among the discussion topics were how World Technology Universities Network (WTUN), launched during the 2017 Congress, can harness its collective strength for innovation through global collaboration and contribute to the United Nation’s sustainable development goals. WTUN also welcomed four universities from Canada, India, Nigeria and Thailand to its ranks as they signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to join the network.

Accordingly, the new members will increase the WTUN’s ranks to 22 technology-focused institutions from Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia, North and South America. WTUN members benefit from exchanges and collaborative research and facilitated links between institutions, industry, NGOs and SMEs.

According to Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, “Its’ purpose is to promote better understanding of the role and the characteristics of the technology university, to promote mobility and global citizenship opportunities and also collaborate on research and knowledge transfer to address global challenges.”

He added that it will also develop position and policy statements, facilitate links between world technology universities, industry, NGOs and SMEs and share best practice and provide opportunities for capacity-building among members.

According to him, the main activities of the network are promoting collaborative research between member universities, facilitating links between world technology universities and industry, governments, public authorities, international organisations and NGOs besides encouraging and enhancing understanding of technology universities across the world.