Background

• On one hand: It is difficult for glass companies to find qualified young graduates with knowledge of glass technology and related areas
• On the other hand: Fewer universities provide glass technology education these days, and new graduates are often not aware of career opportunities in the glass industry
• Moreover, the international glass industry is facing great technological challenges, especially related to the energy transition/sustainable production, which require ‘academic brainpower’

Goals

• Encourage academic research on topics which are relevant for industrial glass production and processing
• Give more publicity to the glass industry and about career opportunities in glass for people in the academic world.
• Promote and facilitate the creation of academia-industry partnerships for participation in research programmes

Approach

• Regular invitation of speakers from universities on relevant technological topics at GlassTrend seminars
• Regular organization of joint GlassTrend-ICG (International Commission on Glass) sessions during ICG annual meetings and congresses
• Involvement of universities in GlassTrend R&D projects
• Lectures by GlassTrend board members on topical glass technological subjects at selected universities
• Visits to universities, e.g. during GlassTrend Seminars
• Organization of internships of university students at GlassTrend member companies