PROGRAMME

European Convention of Engineering Deans – ECED 2026
Theme: Engineering the Circular Transition: Digital, Sustainable & Human-Centric Futures
Venue: Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
Dates: 25–27 May 2026

The ECED 2026 programme spans three days and follows a single-track format, ensuring shared experiences and in-depth discussion among all participants.

Minor adjustments to selected session formats may occur.

DAY 1 – MONDAY, 25 MAY 2026

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 / Industrial Panel
“Engineering Europe’s Future – Circular, Digital & Human”
With participation of SEFI Corporate Partners and invited partners

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
Welcome by:
Marek Pawełczyk – Rector, Silesian University of Technology; President of EURECA-Pro
Emanuela Tilley – SEFI President; University College London

09:15 – 10:15 — Opening Session: Keynote Address & Industry Voice
Keynote Address: Virginijus Sinkevičius – Member of the European Parliament; former European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries
Industry Voice: Artur Pollak – CEO of APA Group

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 – SEFI President; University College London
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 based on live polling
“All Hands on Circular Transition”
Moderator: Euan Lindsay – Aalborg University

15:00 – 15:30 — Coffee Break & Poster Walk
Student Poster Walk

15:30 – 17:00 — Deans’ Thematic Leadership Tables
Facilitator: Greet Langie – KU Leuven

18:15 – 22:15 — ECED Industrial Night
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
Contributors:
Sebastian Werle – Vice Rector, Silesian University of Technology
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
Panelists:
Marta Correia – ESTIEM
EURECA-Pro Student Board representative
Silesian University of Technology 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

12:20 – 12:30 — ECED 2026 Summary Reflection
Euan Lindsay – Aalborg University

12:30 – 13:00 — Closing Remarks
Emanuela Tilley – SEFI President
Marek Pawełczyk – Rector, Silesian University of Technology

13:00 – 14:00 — Farewell Lunch & Networking