The Smart Technologies & Education Conference (STE 2026) took place from March 11–13, 2026, in the historic city of Brașov, Romania, hosted by Transilvania University of Brașov (UNITBV). This year’s conference was a particularly special occasion, as it coincided with the celebration of 20 years of the International Association of Online Engineering (IAOE).
STE is a collaboration between IAOE and EWA, bringing together nearly 150 participants from almost 30 countries. STE 2026 once again demonstrated the strength and diversity of the global engineering education community. The conference provided a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas, presenting research, and fostering collaboration at the intersection of Smart Technologies and Education.
Thank you to this year's organizing team around Prof. Doru Ursutiu and Prof. Cornel Samoila and their team from Transilvania University of Brașov!
A Rich and Diverse Academic Program
The conference featured more than 120 peer-reviewed paper presentations, complemented by workshops, round table sessions, featured talks, and interactive discussions. The program reflected the breadth of current developments in engineering education, including topics such as artificial intelligence in education, remote and virtual laboratories, cross-reality (XR) environments, sustainability, and smart infrastructure.
A series of Special Sessions added further depth to the program, including:
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Simulation Tools – From Industry Applications to Bio-Medical Engineering (STIAM)
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Intelligent Systems Promoting Innovation in Research & Education (INSPIRE)
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Exploring Human–AI Collaboration in Cross-Reality Laboratories (KICK 4.0)
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Artificial Intelligence and Music (MusicAI)
These sessions highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the field and encouraged dialogue across domains ranging from engineering and pedagogy to creative and societal applications of technology.
A highlight of STE 2026 was the celebration of IAOE’s 20th anniversary, marking two decades of advancing online engineering, remote laboratories, and global collaboration. The anniversary was reflected not only in the conference theme and discussions but also in community-focused activities, including the Photo Contest, which invited participants to visually capture the intersection of Smart Industry and Education.
Several prestigious awards were presented, recognizing outstanding contributions to the field. No doubt, a distinguished highlight of the award session was the recognition of Dr. Karsten Henke (Technical University Ilmenau, Germany) with the inaugural IAOE Cornel Samoila Meritorious Service Award for his longstanding contribution to and support of the worldwide IAOE community. Dr. Cornel Samoila, in return, was awarded the first IAOE Distinguished Fellow. All recognitions highlighted the continued excellence and innovation within the IAOE community. We will share further details about other awards and the winners in future news items.
Distinguished Keynotes
STE 2026 featured an outstanding lineup of keynote speakers addressing key challenges and future directions in engineering education:
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Ioan Dumitrache (University “Politehnica” of Bucharest, Romania) discussed the transformation toward an intelligent, hyperconnected society and its implications for engineering education.
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Miriam Reiner (Technion, Israel & Stanford University, USA) presented insights into neurotechnology and its potential to enhance remote and hybrid learning environments.
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Cristian Andronic (University “Politehnica” of Bucharest, Romania) addressed resilience, automation, and cybersecurity in critical infrastructure systems.
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Oscar Karnalim (Maranatha Christian University, Indonesia) explored how generative AI can be aligned with academic integrity and responsible learning practices.
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Katrin Temmen (Paderborn University, Germany) emphasized the importance of contextualization in technical and vocational education and its role in strengthening STEM pathways.
Together, these contributions provided a comprehensive and forward-looking perspective on the role of smart technologies in education and society.
A Strong Sense of Community
Beyond the academic program, STE 2026 offered numerous opportunities for networking and exchange. The conference began with a Welcome Reception, setting a collegial and inclusive tone, and continued with informal discussions, collaborative sessions, and social events throughout the week. During the Festive Conference Dinner, the conference attendees celebrated 20 years of IAOE in a beautiful venue.
Participants not only shared research results but also engaged in meaningful conversations about the future of engineering education, strengthening existing partnerships and forming new ones.
Looking Ahead
STE 2026 in Brașov once again demonstrated the importance of international collaboration in addressing the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving educational landscape. As IAOE celebrates its 20-year milestone, the conference serves as both a reflection on past achievements and a starting point for future innovation. In the coming year, STE 2027 will be hosted by Burapha University in Bangkok (Thailand).
The global community now looks ahead to the next major gathering: the ICL-IGIP 2026 Conference in Cologne, Germany (conference website), continuing the shared mission of advancing interactive and collaborative learning worldwide.
Impressions from STE 2026:
