The EuroTech Universities Alliance partners TUM, TU Eindhoven, DTU Copenhagen, EPFL Lausanne, École Polytechnique Paris (L’X) and the Technion, Israel, want to take the lead in innovative engineering education for a sustainable future.
In his acceptance speech at the High level Event, TUM President Thomas F. Hofmann, who now also holds the office of the EuroTech President, underlined the important societal value of the Alliance’s ambitions, in line with the new Commission’s goals towards a climate-neutral future: “Technology is not a means to its own ends but needs to embody our European values and ethical principles.”
Rethinking education – from technology to society
In dialogue with Andreas Goll Rossau, Vice-President of the DTU Student Union, President Hofmann discussed the role of universities and the EuroTech Universities Alliance in addressing the climate crisis. How to spark responsibility across students? Should there be more support to research new technology fields? Can universities be leading by examples with green campus initiatives? And how can universities improve student well-being and spark their creativity for new solutions?
The over 150 guests in the venue Townhall Europe then followed a lively debate between, Niklas Nienass, member of the European Greens in the European Parliament and Fabrizia Benini, Head of Unit Digital Economy and Skills in the European Commission. Together with EuroTech researchers, they illustrated the manifold requirements, challenges, and solutions for future engineering education in universities as well as in the workplace, and discussed the EU support mechanisms in relevant policies and programs.
To realize the new Commissions’ Green Deal, technical universities with their education, research, and innovation efforts can make a true impact to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy.
TUM Hyperloop team making its appearance
The evening was rounded up with a networking reception and showcase of successful student teams. The TUM Hyperloop team was present, students from L’X introduced a rocket they developed, and also the TU/e team driving the Formula Student competition, DTU Biobuilders and ICPUPIL from the Technion were showcased.
To put it in a nutshell: This year’s High Level Event was another EuroTech get-together that entailed success in many aspects. We look forward to many more joint projects of the Alliance in 2020.
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