The increasing demand for engineers in Europe requires a concerted effort to make engineering education…
As we look ahead to the European Convention of Engineering Deans (ECED) 2026, held from 25–27 May 2026 at the Silesian Technical University in Poland, we are honoured to announce our keynote speakers. ECED serves as SEFI’s premier gathering for engineering deans and senior leaders, offering a high‑level space for strategic dialogue and forward‑looking reflection.
This year’s programme, centred on Engineering the Circular Transition, brings together visionaries from academia and industry who will shape the conversations driving institutional transformation across Europe. Strategic leadership will determine how effectively your institution prepares students and researchers for these emerging challenges. Are you ready? Do you know what it takes to lead a successful transition? Join the discussion!
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Virginijus Sinkevičius
Member of the European Parliament, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Lithuania)
Former European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and the youngest one in history youngest-ever European Commissioner upon taking office in 2019 at age 28.
He was formerly the Minister of Economy of Lithuania (2017-2019). Before becoming the Minister of Economy, Sinkevičius led the Economic Committee of the Parliament of Lithuania. Sinkevičius was elected to Parliament in October 2016. Before that, he was a Team Lead for Regulatory Affairs at Invest Lithuania. Prior to joining Invest Lithuania, Sinkevičius was Managing Editor at the US Office of The Lithuanian Tribune in Washington D.C. Sinkevičius holds a BA in International Relations and Affairs from Aberystwyth University and a Master’s degree in European International Affairs from Maastricht University.
Artur Pollak
Founder and CEO of APA Group (Poland)
An engineer and entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of APA Group, specialising in industrial automation, smart manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 solutions.
With over 20 years of hands-on experience, he has led the design and implementation of advanced automation and digital transformation systems for global industrial companies, including Volkswagen, General Motors, 3M, Daimler, Amazon, and Siemens. His work focuses on translating emerging technologies into operational industrial environments — from production systems and energy optimisation to integrated smart infrastructure. Beyond his business activity, he is actively engaged in industry–academia collaboration and participates in several advisory and industry bodies, including the Programme Council at the Silesian University of Technology, the Polish-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Polish Green Building Council, and Business Centre Club. He is also a co-founder of the SINOTAIC IoT & AI Cluster.
PROGRAMME
DAY 1 – MONDAY, 25 MAY 2026 | |
|---|---|
13:00 – 16:00 | SEFI Board of Directors Meeting |
14:30 – 15:30 | Registration & Welcome Coffee |
15:30 – 16:30 | Guided Campus Tour – “Innovation at the Silesian University of Technology” |
16:45 – 18:15 | Opening Panel – “Engineering Europe’s Future – Circular, Digital & Human” |
18:30 – 20:30 | Welcome Reception (Light Buffet) Hosted by the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology |
DAY 2 – TUESDAY, 26 MAY 2026 | |
|---|---|
09:00 – 09:15 | Official Opening Ceremony – Marek Pawełczyk – Rector of Silesian University of Technology – Emanuela Tilley – University College London / SEFI President – EURECA-Pro representative |
09:15–10:15 | KEYNOTE 1 – The Policy Perspective Virginijus Sinkevičius, Member of the European Parliament, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Lithuania) KEYNOTE 2 – The Industry Perspective Artur Pollak, CEO of APA Group (Poland) |
10:15 – 10:45 | Coffee Break & Networking |
10:45 – 12:15 | Plenary Panel 1 “Making Circular Collaboration Work – Industry–Academia Alliances in Action” Moderator: Emanuela Tilley – University College London / SEFI President Panelists: – Marcin Górski – Silesian University of Technology / EURECA-Pro – Emrah Acar – Istanbul Technical University – Industry representatives (European companies) |
12:15 – 13:30 | Networking Lunch – “Deans & Industry Roundtables” |
13:30 – 15:00 | Interactive Workshop – “All Hands on Circular Transition” Moderator: Euan Lindsay – Aalborg University / SEFI |
15:00 – 15:30 | Coffee Break & Student Poster Walk |
15:30 – 17:00 | Deans’ Thematic Leadership Tables Facilitator: Greet Langie – KU Leuven / SEFI |
18:15 – 22:15 | ECED Industrial Night at Guido Coal Mine (Zabrze) |
DAY 3 – WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY 2026 | |
|---|---|
09:00 – 09:45 | Leadership Dialogue “Leadership and Alliances for a Sustainable & Human-Centric Engineering Future” Moderator: Dražan Kozak – University of Slavonski Brod Speakers: – Sebastian Werle – SUT Vice Rector for Science and International Cooperation – Mária Szalmáné Csete – Budapest University of Technology and Economics |
09:45 – 10:45 | Student & Young Leaders Forum – “Next-Generation Engineers for a Circular Europe” Moderator: Shannon Chance – TU Dublin / SEFI Contributors: – Marta Correia – ESTIEM – EURECA-Pro Student Board representative – SUT Student Board representative |
10:45 – 11:15 | Coffee Break |
11:15 – 12:20 | Collective Insight Session – “What Will You Change Tomorrow?” Facilitator: Balázs Nagy – Budapest University of Technology and Economics / SEFI |
12:20 – 12:30 | ECED 2026 Summary Reflection: Reflection Lead: Euan Lindsay – Aalborg University / SEFI |
12:30 – 13:00 | Closing Remarks: Emanuela Tilley – University College London / SEFI President Marek Pawełczyk – Rector of Silesian University of Technology |
13:00 – 14:00 | Farewell Lunch & Networking |
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