With exactly one month remaining until STE 2026 (March 11–13, 2026), excitement is building for what promises to be a great edition of the Smart Technologies & Education Conference. Hosted in Brașov, Romania, STE 2026 will unite researchers, educators, industry leaders, and innovators from nearly 30 countries to explore the evolving synergy between Smart Industry and Smart Education. See website for details: STE 2026 Conference website
This year’s conference carries special significance as we celebrate 20 years of the International Association of Online Engineering (IAOE). For two decades, IAOE has fostered global collaboration in online laboratories, digital learning environments, and engineering pedagogy. STE 2026 continues this tradition, offering a vibrant platform for scholarly exchange, innovation, and international networking. STE 2026 will feature more than 120 peer-reviewed paper presentations, alongside workshops, round table sessions, featured talks, and interactive discussions. The program reflects the breadth of contemporary research in AI-enhanced education, remote and virtual laboratories, XR learning environments, sustainability, and smart infrastructure.
Special Sessions further deepen the thematic focus of the conference, including:
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Simulation Tools – From Industry Applications to Bio-Medical Engineering
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Intelligent Systems Promoting Innovation in Research & Education
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Exploring Human–AI Collaboration in Cross-Reality Laboratories
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Artificial Intelligence and Music
The conference will also host an outstanding lineup of keynote speakers:
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Katrin Temmen (Paderborn University, Germany) on contextualising smart technologies in technical and vocational education.
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Oscar Karnalim (Maranatha Christian University, Indonesia) on reconciling generative AI with academic ethics.
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Ioan Dumitrache (University “Politehnica” of Bucharest, Romania) on engineering education for an intelligent, hyperconnected society.
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Miriam Reiner (Technion, Israel & Stanford University, USA) on neurotechnology and enhanced learning in remote and hybrid education.
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Cristian Andronic (University “Politehnica” of Bucharest, Romania) on resilience, automation engineering, and cybersecurity in national power systems.
Together, these perspectives highlight the academic depth and forward-looking spirit of STE 2026. Beyond the academic program, STE 2026 will offer rich opportunities for exchange and collegial connection. The conference will begin with a Welcome Reception the evening before the official opening, setting the tone for collaboration. On Thursday evening, participants will gather for a Festive Conference Dinner, celebrating both the conference and two decades of community building.
STE 2026 invites you to be part of this special anniversary edition. As the countdown continues, the message is clear: this is more than a conference—it is a gathering of a global community shaping the future of smart technologies and education together.
We look forward to welcoming you to Brașov in one month!
Call to action:
Registration is still open via the official ConfTool platform: STE 2026 Submission and Registration Server
In addition, the special Photo Contest celebrating 20 years of IAOE remains open for submissions until February 19. Participants are invited to capture how Smart Industry and Education come together to shape tomorrow’s workforce. See call for details here: Photo Contest to Celebrate 20 Years of IAOE
