Venue: Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FEE), Czech Technical University (CTU) in Prague
Date: September 7–10, 2026
Project Manager: Mgr. Klára Šircová

INTRODUCTION

At the beginning of September, Prague came alive with international innovations in engineering education. The premises of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Czech Technical University (CTU) welcomed the 54th Annual Conference of the European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI). The event, centered around the theme "Engineering Education for Humanity," attracted over 700 participants from across Europe and overseas. The conference, preceded by a Sunday Doctoral Symposium for early-career researchers, created a unique space for discussing how to prepare future engineers to solve complex societal challenges in a rapidly changing world.

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM

The scientific program offered an exceptionally rich variety of formats – from classic presentations of research and practical papers to interactive workshops, panel discussions, and the innovative "Idea Market" featuring short video presentations (Poster Pitches). The program focused on the most current challenges, such as the integration of artificial intelligence into education, sustainability, engineering ethics, and diversity.

The program was opened with a keynote speech by Sasha Nikolic from the University of Wollongong on "Co-Intelligence," which focused on how to make AI a tool that supports human potential rather than replacing it. Another significant moment was the official presentation of the new SEFI Handbook on Teaching Transferable Competencies and Skills in Engineering, introduced to the program by Gillian Saunders-Smits from TU Delft. In addition to top-tier lectures, the conference stood out for its strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) – participants had access to a quiet working zone, free childcare, and the program also offered scholarships for students and early-career researchers from underrepresented regions.

SOCIAL PROGRAM AND NETWORKING

An integral part of SEFI 2026 was networking, which connected professional conversations with the unforgettable atmosphere of autumn Prague. The social program kicked off on Monday with a Welcome Reception combined with the SEFI Awards ceremony in the historical premises of the Bethlehem Chapel. Many delegates took advantage of a specially chartered historical tram to travel to this reception.

For active participants, morning yoga sessions were organized right on the FEE CTU campus, along with morning runs through the nearby Stromovka park. The highlight of the social events was the Wednesday Gala Dinner at the Červený jelen restaurant. This unique cubist-modernist space of a former bank, transformed by architect Stanislav Fiala, offered delegates top-class gastronomy and an ideal environment for strengthening new professional and personal ties.

CONCLUSION

The SEFI 2026 conference in Prague clearly demonstrated that the future of engineering relies not only on technical knowledge but above all on humanity, ethics, and the ability for interdisciplinary cooperation. The event connected academia with industry partners (including Dassault Systèmes, Elsevier, Schoolyear, Bentley Systems, and Ansys) and defined new directions for European engineering education.

Great thanks go to the host, CTU in Prague, for providing excellent facilities, to the SEFI association, to the City of Prague for its financial support, and to all partners and participants. The smooth running, accommodation logistics, communication, and overall realization of this large-scale international event were handled by the GUARANT International team, led by Project Manager Klára Šircová.