STU Learning and Teaching Forum 2024

STU Learning & Teaching forum on trends in technical education.

On November 7, 2024, the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (STU) hosted the STU Learning & Teaching Forum, focusing on the evolving landscape of technical education amid current domestic and global changes. The conference emphasized the critical role of engineering education in driving economic growth and enhancing quality of life, highlighting the necessity for graduates to deliver economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable solutions.

A notable highlight was the participation of Nobel Laureate and recent STU Honorary Doctorate recipient, Professor Dan Shechtman, who engaged with university scientists and educators. The forum also featured expert speakers from EULiST partner universities, including:

• Shabnam Michèle Tauböck, Head of the Center for Strategic Development in Education at the Technical University of Vienna (TU Wien), who introduced a new seal of excellence for outstanding courses, currently in its pilot phase, aimed at increasing transparency in teaching quality.
• Marjaana Kareinen, Manager for Educational Technology LUT University Finland, who discussed the integration of artificial intelligence in higher education, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and the understanding of data accuracy.
• Jari Hämäläinen, Vice President for Research and Innovation at LUT University and EULiST Management Board Member, who addressed talent management in universities, focusing on fostering excellence among researchers, teachers, and professors.

The conference also included a panel discussion titled “What EULiST will Enable?” featuring Jari Hämäläinen (LUT), Shabnam Michèle Tauböck (TUW), and Ioannis Golias (rector of National Technical University of Athens, NTUA), moderated by STU Vice-Rector Ľubica Vitková, a member of the EULiST Management Board.

The forum provided a platform for in-depth discussions on adapting engineering education to meet future challenges, the role of artificial intelligence in higher education, effective talent management in universities, and the impact of academic rankings. These discussions underscored the importance of evolving technical education to align with contemporary societal needs and technological advancements.