IEEE DEMOcon 2026 at Politehnica University of Timișoara: Five Days of Summer School and International Conference, with Over 80 Participants from 23 Countries
Timișoara, June 2026
Politehnica University of Timișoara, through the Digital and Distance Education Department (DEL), hosted, between 21–26 June 2026, two consecutive international events dedicated to digital education: the DEMOcon Summer School 2026 (21–24 June) and the IEEE DEMOcon 2026 Digital Education and MOOCs International Conference (24–26 June), organised by IEEE Education Society. The events brought together over 100 researchers, students, educators, and experts from 23 countries at the UPT Conference Centre in Timișoara.
DEMOcon Summer School 2026
The DEMOcon Summer School 2026 was held at the Digital and Distance Education Department (DEL) of UPT and welcomed over 10 PhD candidates, Master students, and researchers for three days of intensive sessions on the theme "Experiences and Developments in Digital Education Ecosystems: Harnessing MOOCs, AI, and Microcredentials." The event was opened by Acad. Dr. Eng. Liviu Marșavina, Pro-Rector of UPT, and Prof. Em. Dr. Eng. Radu Vasiu.
The programme featured lectures by international experts: Prof. Em. Dr. Eng. Radu Vasiu (UPT) on Open Science and Open Access; Dr. Eng. Diana Andone (UPT) on integrating Generative AI in research; Prof. Dr. Eng. Carmen Holotescu (Ioan Slavici University Timișoara) on verifiable credentials and blockchain in education; Senior Lecturer Mark Frydenberg (Bentley University) on AI-driven tutoring; Prof. Dr. Arnold Pears (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) on engineering education research; Prof. Dr. Thomas Staubitz (German University of Digital Science) on project-based learning and teamwork in the age of AI; Prof. Dr. Carlos Delgado Kloos (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid) on education in an AI-shaped landscape; and Ella Hamonic (UNESCO-IIEP) on AI-driven role-play and simulations in adult learning.
In addition, participants visited UPT's Igloo Vision 360° immersive space — the first immersive projection cylinder in a Romanian university, part of the DigiUPT project (PNRR) — where they explored virtual heritage applications developed by the DEL team within the Spotlight Heritage Timișoara project. Summer School completion certificates were presented to participants during the conference welcome reception.
IEEE DEMOcon 2026 Digital Education and MOOCs International Conference
The 12th edition of the Conference, organised by IEEE Education Society, was hosted for the first time by Politehnica University of Timișoara, through the Digital and Distance Education Department.
The opening plenary session was chaired by Prof. Em. Dr. Eng. Radu Vasiu — General Chair of the conference — with addresses by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Florin Drăgan (Rector, UPT), Prof. Dr. Arnold Pears (President, IEEE Education Society), Dr. Eng. Diana Andone (Vice-President, IEEE Education Society and Director, Digital and Distance Education Department, UPT), and Prof. Dr. Carlos Delgado Kloos (Steering Committee Co-Chair, IEEE DEMOcon).
The Day 1 keynote session was delivered by Prof. Dr. Arnold Pears with the presentation "AI Integration in Higher Education: A Roadmap and Discussion," while the Day 2 plenary keynote was delivered by Ella Hamonic (UNESCO-IIEP) with the presentation "Navigating AI's Frictions in Education," chaired by Prof. Dr. Carlos Delgado Kloos.
During the opening session, the IEEE DEMOcon Meritous Service Award was presented to James Sluss and Prof. Dr. Thomas Staubitz, and the IEEE Education Society Student Travel Award to Rohini Trimurthy (India). Prof. Dr. Arnold Pears also presented recognition awards to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Florin Drăgan, for hosting the conference, and Prof. Em. Dr. Eng. Radu Vasiu, for his role as General Chair. The conference programme included parallel research sessions, workshops, and live sponsor demonstrations. Participants had the opportunity to interact with the Pepper humanoid robot, acquired by UPT through the DigiUPT project (PNRR), and to visit UPT's Igloo Vision immersive space, as well as attend live demonstrations by Lasting Software (digital twin framework for 5G NTN networks) and Nokia (5G Ultra Compact Network solution).
On Day 1, Dr. Eng. Diana Andone delivered the workshop "Navigating Institutional Evolution through ITAPs – The UPT Digital Transformation Journey," in the framework of the European project Accelerate Future HEI (Horizon Europe).
At the close of Day 2, Dr. Eng. Diana Andone and Prof. Dr. Carlos Delgado Kloos presented recognition certificates to all members of the conference organising committee.
The final day of the conference, Friday, June 26, featured the plenary panel „Digital Experiences in European University Alliances”, chaired by Dr. Eng. Diana Andone. Experts representing major European alliances—UNITE! (Prof. Dr. Jesus Alcober), E³UDRES² (Lect. Dr. Eng. Andrei Ternauciuc), UNITA (Prof. Dr. Marina Marchisio Conte), and YUFE (Prof. Dr. Carlos Delgado Kloos)—discussed interoperability, joint digital environments, micro-credentials, and AI, envisioning a unified digital federation for higher education in Europe within the next five years.
The conference concluded with the Best Paper Awards ceremony, where the paper titled ”Improving Cause-of-Death Certification in Portugal Through a nanoMOOC for Health Professionals”, authored by João Paz, António Moreira Teixeira, and Maria do Carmo Teixeira Pinto, received the Best Short Paper Award, and “From awareness to evidence: Building an online training program that produces audit-ready proof for TISAX (VDA ISA 6)”, authored by Muguraș Mocofan and Andrei Ternauciuc, was honored with the Best Full Paper Award.
During the same ceremony, the local sponsors, the members of the DEL team (the local organizing committee) and student volunteers received certificates of recognition for their dedication and outstanding effort in organizing the event.
Conference
IEEE DEMOcon 2026 Digital Education and MOOCs International Conference, for the First Time at Politehnica University of Timișoara: 3 Days, 100+ Participants from 23 Countries
Timișoara, June 2026
Politehnica University of Timișoara, through the Digital and Distance Education Department, hosted for the first time, between 24–26 June 2026, the IEEE DEMOcon 2026 Digital Education and MOOCs International Conference — organised by IEEE Education Society and merged this year with eMOOCs, the European MOOCs Stakeholders Summit. The conference brought together over 90 researchers, educators, and experts from 23 countries at the UPT Conference Centre in Timișoara.
The opening plenary session was chaired by Prof. Em. Dr. Eng. Radu Vasiu — General Chair of the conference — with addresses by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Florin Drăgan (Rector, UPT), Prof. Dr. Arnold Pears (President, IEEE Education Society), Dr. Eng. Diana Andone (Vice-President, IEEE Education Society and Director of the Digital and Distance Education Department, UPT), and Prof. Dr. Carlos Delgado Kloos (Steering Committee Co-Chair, IEEE DEMOcon).
During the opening session, the IEEE DEMOcon Meritous Service Award was presented to James Sluss and Prof. Dr. Thomas Staubitz, and the IEEE Education Society Student Travel Award to Rohini Trimurthy (India). Prof. Dr. Arnold Pears also presented recognition awards to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Florin Drăgan, for hosting the conference, and Prof. Em. Dr. Eng. Radu Vasiu, for his role as General Chair.
Keynote Sessions
The Day 1 keynote, "AI Integration in Higher Education: A Roadmap and Discussion," was delivered by Prof. Dr. Arnold Pears (KTH Royal Institute of Technology, President of IEEE Education Society), addressing the risks and opportunities generative AI poses for teaching, assessment, and cognitive development in higher education.
The Day 2 keynote, "Navigating AI's Frictions in Education," was delivered by Ella Hamonic (UNESCO-IIEP), examining the shifting architecture of online learning, the evolution of MOOCs, and the competencies educators need to navigate an AI-shaped educational landscape.
Scientific Programme and Workshops
The conference featured parallel research sessions, work-in-progress presentations, and workshops. Dr. Eng. Diana Andone delivered the workshop "Navigating Institutional Evolution through ITAPs – The UPT Digital Transformation Journey," in the framework of the European project Accelerate Future HEI (Horizon Europe).
Demonstrations and Exhibitions
Participants had the opportunity to interact with the Pepper humanoid robot — acquired by UPT through the DigiUPT project (PNRR) and used in robotics teaching — and to visit UPT's Igloo Vision 360° immersive space, the first immersive projection cylinder in a Romanian university. Live demonstrations were provided by Lasting Software (digital twin framework for 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks) and Nokia (5G Ultra Compact Network solution).
Recognition Ceremony
At the close of Day 2, Dr. Eng. Diana Andone and Prof. Dr. Carlos Delgado Kloos presented recognition certificates to all members of the conference organising committee, including steering committee co-chairs, track chairs, publicity chairs, and the treasurer of the conference.
Closing and Awards Sessions
The final day of the conference, Friday, June 26, featured the plenary panel „Digital Experiences in European University Alliances”, chaired by Dr. Eng. Diana Andone. Experts representing major European alliances—UNITE! (Prof. Dr. Jesus Alcober), E³UDRES² (Lect. Dr. Eng. Andrei Ternauciuc), UNITA (Prof. Dr. Marina Marchisio Conte), and YUFE (Prof. Dr. Carlos Delgado Kloos)—discussed interoperability, joint digital environments, micro-credentials, and AI, envisioning a unified digital federation for higher education in Europe within the next five years.
The conference concluded with the Best Paper Awards ceremony, where the paper titled “Improving Cause-of-Death Certification in Portugal Through a nanoMOOC for Health Professionals”, authored by João Paz, António Moreira Teixeira, and Maria do Carmo Teixeira Pinto, received the Best Short Paper Award, and “From awareness to evidence: Building an online training program that produces audit-ready proof for TISAX (VDA ISA 6)”, authored by Muguraș Mocofan and Andrei Ternauciuc, was honored with the Best Full Paper Award.
During the same ceremony, the local sponsors, the members of the DEL team (the local organizing committee) and student volunteers received certificates of recognition for their dedication and outstanding effort in organizing the event.