Important Dates

15 Oct 2023	Submission of: (i) structured abstracts (for full and short papers) for the conference (ii) Special Session proposals
31 Oct 2023	Notification of acceptance for abstracts for the conference. Special Sessions notification and announcement
30 Nov 2023	Submission of: (i) complete papers for all submission types (ii) proposals for round tables, workshops, tutorials
15 Dec 2023	Notification of acceptance
15 Dec 2023	EduNet Forum only: Submission of abstracts
05 Jan 2024	EduNet Forum only: Notification of acceptance
15 Jan 2024	Camera-ready due & Author registration deadline
15 Feb 2024	EduNet Forum only: Upload of final presentations
06 Mar 2024	STE 2024 and EduNet Forum opening

Remote presentations will be possible.

STE Main Conference
Call for Papers

Download Detailed Call as PDF

Overview

The International Conference on Smart Technologies & Education (STE) is the successor of the REV Conferences and the annual conference of the International Association of Online Engineering (IAOE) together with the Edunet World Association (EWA) and the International Education Network (EduNet).

STE 2024 is an annual event dedicated to the fundamentals, applications and experiences in the field of Smart Technologies, Online, Remote, and Virtual Engineering, Virtual Instrumentation and other related new technologies, including

• Internet of Things & Industrial Internet of Things
• Cyber-Physical Systems and Industry 4.0
• Smart Objects & Smart Services
• Cyber Security & Artifical Intelligence
• Cross Realiy
• Open Science

A further objective of the conference is to discuss guidelines and new concepts for engineering education in higher and vocational education institutions including emerging technologies in learning, such as: Online and Virtual Labs, MOOCs and Open Learning Resources. STE 2024 will offer an exciting technical programme as well as networking opportunities.

The EduNet Forum will take place during the conference. It will feature presentations organised by Phoenix Contact and industry workshops.

Topics of Interest

The special focus of STE2024 is on the following topics:

Other Ways to Participate

Posters/workshops/tutorials, interactive demonstrations and exhibitions can also be proposed. Prospective organizers of other STE 2024 events are encouraged to contact the conference chair.

Round Table and Panel Discussion Proposal

Please submit the Round Table Proposal Form to the the ConfTool® Submission Server.

Organization of a Workshop

Please submit the Workshop Proposal Form to the the ConfTool® Submission Server.

Organization of a Demonstration

The main goal of the demonstration session is to foster participants discussion simultaneously with demonstration of remote and virtual labs. Online demonstrations or lectures from a remote location are also welcome. The author is supposed to use his/her personal computer.

Please submit the Demo Session Proposal Form to the the ConfTool® Submission Server.

Organization of a Special Session

Please refer to the Call for Special Session Proposals just below.

Back to Top

STE Special Sessions
Calls for Papers

Human-Robot Interaction for Sustainable Development (HRI4SD)

Find all details in the PDF

Background and Overview

Sustainable development has been defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs” [1]. Human-robot interaction (HRI) aims to create more efficient robotic systems that contribute to optimize processes, generate less contamination and protect natural and human resources for the future. To achieve these sustainable goals, integrating robots into our society has become of paramount importance. From vacuum robots to humanoid robots, researchers have put a significant effort into delicately integrating human characteristics into robots, aiming for a natural and comfortable interaction.

Research shows that humans remain skeptical about the anthropomorphic features integrated into robots. More importantly, human engagement is even lower in HRI scenarios. As a result, the ubiquitous integration of humanoid robots is significantly limited in various strategic sectors such as healthcare, education, and public services, among others. To tackle this problem, research on the life cycle of HRI needs more attention in fields such as designing, developing, deploying, and validating HRI. Thus, the special session HRI4SD is focused on exploring and addressing these and their related open questions. The special session will then unveil new guidelines for a more advanced version of HRI for sustainable development.

[1] WCED, Special Working Session. "World commission on environment and development." Our common future 17, no. 1 (1987): 1-91.

Topics

We encourage you to submit your research on the next (but not restricted) topics:

• Human-robot interaction (HRI)
• Human-robot collaboration
• Child-robot interaction
• Elder-robot interaction
• Sustainable HRI
• Artificial intelligent (AI) for robotic systems
• User experience (UX) for HRI
• Evaluation methodology and metrics for HRI
• Simulation for HRI
• Deployment for HRI
• Programming for HRI
• others

Advances and Challenges in Applied Artificial Intelligence (ACAAI)

Find all details in the PDF

Background and Overview

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a ubiquitous and relevant element in all fields of knowledge. Recent advances in fields as far as biology, finances, sociology, anthropology, computer science, material science and more have shown the importance of continuing the application of AI for a more sustainable and fair future. Developments in algorithms like artificial neural networks (e.g., transformer architectures) and highly reliable and open-source libraries and hardware have firmly pushed the use of artificial intelligence in academia and industry.

In this special session, we aim to present and discuss advances and challenges in applied artificial intelligence in all areas of knowledge. Our goal is that researchers and audiences engage in fruitful conversations and future collaborations to expand the use of artificial intelligence.

Topics

We encourage you to submit your research on the next (but not restricted) topics:

• Artificial intelligence
• AI-based optimization
• AI-based medical imaging
• AI-based image processing
• AI-based shape/pattern recognition
• AI in industrial applications
• Evolutionary computation
• Nature-inspired metaheuristic techniques
• Genetic algorithms
• Swarm intelligence
• Hybrid methods
• Swarm robotics
• Cognitive sciences
• Neural processing
• others

IAOE Doctoral Consortium (IAOE-DC)

Find all details in the PDF

Background and Overview

The STE 2024 Doctoral Consortium (DC) is a Special Session that provides a unique opportunity for doctoral students to present their research projects and get constructive feedback from senior researchers as well as from other doctoral fellows.

We invite doctoral students to this interdisciplinary and interactive forum to share their doctoral experiences and current research in the topics of the Conference with members of the DC Program Committee and other students from around the world, either remotely or in person.

Proposals for participation in the Doctoral Consortium should be submitted as a full paper (see general Guidelines for authors) to the Conference submission server. Submissions should address the following aspects (preferably organized in separate sections):

• Personal information of the prospective attendee: Name, last name, email, name of the Doctoral program and institutional affiliation.
• Introduction and Motivation: The main problem you are trying to tackle and why it is relevant.
• Background: The state-of-the-art in relation to existing solutions to the problem and/or previous research on the topic.
• Research Goals/Objective/s
• Research Method/s
• Results: expected achievements and (if any) advances beyond the state-of-the-art and research plan in terms of your specific contribution.
• Research Plan and doctoral experience: Current status of the research plan, obstacles found and ways to solve them (if any).
• Bibliographical References

Topics

We encourage you to submit your research on the next (but not restricted) topics:

• Augmented & Virtual Reality
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cloud Technology
• Digital Twins
• Dual Study for Industry 4.0
• Cyber Physical Systems & Cyber Security
• Data Science
• Engineering Education of the Future
• Entrepreneurship & Education
• Labs for Industry 4.0
• Learning in Virtual Environments
• Mobile & Micro Learning
• Open Science Big Data
• Online Engineering
• Process Visualization
• Remote Control & Measurement
• Service Based Learning
• Smart Education
• Game Based Learning
• Gender in Engineering Education
• Global & Unified Engineering Curricula
• Green Engineering Education
• Green Automation 4.0
• Human Machine Interaction & Usability
• Industry 4.0 & Education
• Smart Objects
• Smart World (City, Buildings, Home etc.)
• Sustainable Learning
• Teleworking Environment & Teleservice
• Transition from VET to Higher Education
• Virtual & Remote Labs
• Vocational Training 4.0

Online Laboratories in Modern Engineering Education (OLMEE)

Find all details in the PDF

Background and Overview

It is no longer a concealed fact for any educator in the field of engineering that laboratory work holds a pivotal role in the training of engineers and technicians. This has spurred a growing interest in research focused on what are commonly known as online laboratories. The need to establish online laboratory setups for both educational and research purposes, complemented by suitable architectural frameworks for delivering lab resources, has become evident. As these online labs have been integrated into educational settings, several challenges have come to the forefront, including issues related to scalability, interoperability, extensibility, flexibility, integration, and instructional value. Researchers worldwide have dedicated their efforts to addressing these challenges for many years.

Furthermore, the landscape of education across universities globally has undergone a significant transformation due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. This transformation has compelled institutions to swiftly transition from traditional, in-person instruction to online teaching. What was typically a process spanning several months or years has been condensed into a matter of days or weeks. While this shift to online teaching presented a substantial challenge for many educational institutions, it posed an especially unique obstacle for educators in STEM fields. They have been tasked with finding ways to provide meaningful laboratory experiences in a remote learning environment.

The special session we are introducing is explicitly focused on sharing experiences and research findings related to online laboratory education within the current global context. These insights are based on extensive research endeavors and specific experiences gained during the pandemic. As educators have adapted to the new reality by transitioning to online platforms, it is clear that numerous innovative approaches and significant developments have emerged in the field of online labs over the past several years. This special session is particularly interested in these fresh approaches, developments, experiences, and research results.

We invite authors to submit a variety of contributions, including research papers and more practical pieces that describe their experiences with online laboratories and educational research, which may include preliminary evaluations. This special session is co-organized by the International Association for Online Engineering (IAOE) and the IAOE's Global Online Laboratory Consortium (GOLC). We welcome submissions from various scientific disciplines connected to this subject. Our primary objective is to facilitate collaboration among stakeholders, fostering the exchange of ideas, experiences, and research findings while creating networking opportunities for future endeavors.

*** Note: This Special Session will also feature presentations by the winners of the 2024 GOLC International Online Laboratory Award ***

Topics

We encourage you to submit your research on the next (but not restricted) topics:

• Applications & Experiences
• Augmented & Mixed Reality
• Cyber Physical Systems
• Cyber Security
• Collaborative Work in Virtual Environments
• Bridging the gap between face-2-face and online experimentation
• Evaluation of Online Labs
• Human Machine Interaction & Usability
• Impact of COVID on STEM Education
• New Approaches for Online Experimentation
• Online Engineering
• Online Labs in the era of COVID
• Process Visualization & Virtual Instrumentation
• Remote Control & Measurements
• Remote & Crowd Sensing
• Standards & Standardization Proposals
• Virtual & Remote Laboratories

Back to Top

EduNet Forum
Call for Presentations

Download Detailed Call as PDF

Overview

The EduNet Forum at the International Conference on Smart Technologies & Education (STE2024) is the successor to the annual conference for members of the International Education Network (EduNet).

EduNet is an international network of universities and industry in the field of automation and information technology. It promotes international knowledge transfer and cooperation. With the founding of EduNet, Phoenix Contact has created an initiative that meets the needs of both universities and industry for practical experience and state-of-the-art technology. With the help of the network, you can integrate the expertise of users and manufacturers of automation technology into your teaching. EduNet is supported by the Edunet World Association (EWA).

In the EduNet Forum, members of the EduNet network and EWA will present new and practical education and training solutions for higher education (HEI) and vocational training institutions (VET) in the field of automation and information technology, in particular for digitalisation of production. In parallel, companies and educational institutions will offer industry-oriented practical workshops on current technologies.

The EduNet Forum 2024 will focus in particular on smart training technologies that, in line with the principles of Industry 5.0, strengthen the focus of digital transformation on people, increase the resilience of production and better focus on sustainability. This includes supporting education and training for advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, collaborative robotics, big data analytics, the Internet of Things, smart systems and visualisation.

Topics of Interest

Presentation Formats

An abstract is submitted first and, once accepted, the final presentation will be uploaded.

Other Ways to Participate

Posters/workshops/tutorials and interactive demonstrations can also be proposed. Prospective organizers of other EduNet Forum events are encouraged to contact the chair of the EduNet Forum.

Requirements and conditions

Although the EduNet Forum is primarily an event for EduNet and EWA members, non-EduNet members are also welcome as speaker and participants. Registration for the EduNet Forum is done via the STE2024 ConfTool as a participant.

The EduNet Forum Committee decides on the acceptance/rejection of contributions to the EduNet Forum. Speakers do not have to submit a full paper, but only an abstract and the presentation. Contributions to the EduNet Forum will not be published in the STE2024 proceedings.

A virtual participation is prepared for speakers.

Back to Top

Phoenix Contact STE Student Award
Call for Entries

Download Detailed Call as PDF

Overview

The digital transformation in the context of the fourth industrial revolution can only succeed with the leadership and participation of young engineers. For the STE2024, the best young engineering students, especially from the fields of Automation and Information Technology, are being sought worldwide and honoured with the Phoenix Contact STE Student Award.

All students or student groups of a Higher Education Institution (HEI) with a project or initiative can apply. The submitted projects or initiatives must have been developed in cooperation with an industrial company. Each project or initiative must also be accompanied by a supervisor from the HEI. Projects submitted as Bachelor's or Master's theses are not eligible. Thematically, the projects/initiatives should fit/be inline with the topics of STE2024.

The following documents must be submitted:

• Description of the project/initiative in the form of a DIN A0 poster. A poster template as well as examples can be found on the EWA website (https://www.edunet-wa.com/1).
• Short statement of the supervising HEI teacher (max. one DIN A4 page)
• Short statement of the supervising industry representative (max. one DIN A4 page)

Three projects will be nominated for the award. One student or student group representative from each nominated project will be invited to STE2024. All costs for the participation of three nominees at the STE2024 will be covered by Phoenix Contact (flight, hotel accommodation, participation fee for the STE2024).

One winner will be selected from the three nominated projects. The winner will receive a prize of EUR 2,000.

Deadline for submission: December 31, 2023

Back to Top

2024 GOLC International Online Laboratory Award
Call for Entries

Overview

You are invited to submit a proposal for the 2024 International Online Laboratory Awards, presented by the Global Online Laboratory Consortium (GOLC) as part of the International Association of Online Engineering (IAOE). With this award, GOLC and IAOE search for stellar examples of online laboratories in educational settings from all STEM fields.

Awards will be given for outstanding laboratories in three categories:

• Remotely Controlled Experiments
• Simulated and Digitally Visualized Experiments
• Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Experiments

GOLC is an international group of researchers and practitioners under the umbrella of IAOE that brings together researchers and practitioners in all forms of online experimentation. GOLC's involvement in international conferences and relevant journals and its strong membership base continue to advance the state of the art of the online laboratory field worldwide in all areas of education.

The awardees will be announced in March 2024 during the The International Conference on Smart Technologies & Education (STE) in Helsinki, Finland (https://ste-conference.org/current/). It is not required to attend the conference to enter the competition. However, the award winners in each category will receive one free STE 2024 conference ticket for one person per category to accept the award in person.

Submissions deadline: 15 October 2023 (final deadline extension)

Please find all the details in the Award Call, then please fill in the application form here: Entry Form and submit it via the the ConfTool® Submission Server.

Back to Top