L&T Forum 2024

The guest of honor and keynote speaker of the conference will be Professor Dan Shechtman. Dan Shechtman received the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovering quasicrystals. In an interview with form Chemistry World in 2023 he revealed: "My dream was to be a mechanical engineer like Cyrus Smith in Jules Verner's book „The Mysterious Island". In this book, there is a group of five stranded on an island and Cyrus could make everything from nothing. He was my idol. I wanted to be like him. I think I could have been a good mechanical engineer, but I could not find a job and fate took me to a different place. So if you don’t find a job, it’s not necessarily bad." Chemistry World, 24. február 2023. Zdroj: ttps://www.chemistryworld.com/culture/dan-shechtman-cyrus-smith-was-my-idol/4016941.article. Photo: Izrael Institut of Technology.

Dan Shechtman is a professor at Iowa State University and professor emeritus at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, where he has taught a course in technological entrepreneurship for twenty-seven years. He is a tireless promoter of science and innovation in education. According to Professor Shechtman, the prosperity of countries is based on the creation of conditions for "technological entrepreneurship". It starts with a good education system based on mathematics and scientific-technical fields in particular. The name of the game is motivation. If this nucleus of well-educated and capable people will be motivated towards entrepreneurship, a process can start that will make a huge difference in a life of a country. Technological Entrepreneurship: A Key to World Peace and Prosperity. Zdroj: https://www.lectures.iastate.edu/lectures/technological-entrepreneurship-key-world-peace-and-prosperity.

Professor Shechtman is an honorary member of professional societies around the globe and has received honorary doctorates from many universities. The Scientific Board of STU approved the rector's proposal to award Professor Dan Shechtman the title of "Doctor Honoris Causa". The ceremonial session of the STU's Scientific Board on the occasion of awarding the title will take place on November 6, 2024.
Chemistry World, 24. február 2023. Zdroj: ttps://www.chemistryworld.com/culture/dan-shechtman-cyrus-smith-was-my-idol/4016941.article. Photo: Izrael Institut of Technology. 

The society of the XXI. century heavily depends on technological solutions. Engineers constantly develop new tech while facing major challenges in terms of expectations and responsibility. Educators' role is to equip them with up-to-date skills and mindset to address the needs of local, regional and global issues. A strong basis and constant upskilling is key for today's workforce noting the ever increasing role of co-learning, reflective practice, digital assistance and guidance, ethical considerations among others. The higher education landscape is transforming fast and to adequately train new engineering graduates we need to keep developing and adapting our educational tools and methods to the needs of the new generations and for the benefit of society. SEFI, the leading European organization on engineering education provides the platform and experts to gather, analyse and disseminate the latest solutions for the purpose.

Dipl.-Ing. Dr. techn. Shabnam Michèle Tauböck: Quality Label for Excellent Courses - TUV Quality Mark

The Technical University of Vienna (TU Wien) will introduce a new seal of excellence for outstanding courses, currently in its pilot phase, aimed at increasing transparency in teaching quality. The seal is awarded based on a defined set of criteria and is visible to students on the TISS platform. It remains valid for three years, with a reassessment required for renewal. Support teams are available to assist instructors whose courses do not immediately qualify. The process, while structured, includes guidance to ease its implementation. Renewal is streamlined unless significant changes to the course or instructor occur.

Marjaana Kareinen: Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

Teaching and learning were among the first ones to which generative artificial intelligence effected. Action needed to be taken. Studying and artificial intelligence needed to be set on a relationship with each other. To be able to work with a mutual understanding, principles and guidelines were necessary. Responsibilities of teaching staff and students were set, and equality was taken into account. Critical thinking, understanding of the accuracy of the date, thesis and maturity test guidelines are all part of this process. Generative artificial intelligence is nowadays one of our working life skills. In this presentation you will hear what kind of actions have been taken in LUT University and the reactions and feelings towards artificial intelligence.

Jari Hämäläinen: Talent Management in Universities - Fostering Excellence Among Researchers, Teachers, and Professors

Talent management in universities is crucial for nurturing the intellectual and academic growth of researchers, teachers, and professors. It involves strategic recruitment, continuous professional development, and retention of top-tier academic staff. By offering opportunities for advanced training, research funding, and collaborative projects, universities can ensure that their faculty members remain at the forefront of their disciplines.
Additionally, creating a supportive and inclusive environment enhances job satisfaction and motivates faculty to achieve excellence. Implementing mentorship programs, recognizing and rewarding outstanding contributions with incentives, and providing clear tenure-track career progression paths are key components of effective talent management.
Ultimately, a robust talent management strategy not only enhances the individual capabilities of researchers, teachers, and professors but also elevates the institution's overall academic reputation, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

Bartłomiej Więckowski: Performance in Publications and Citations

Publications and citations are pivotal metrics in the academic landscape, often seen as benchmarks of success and scholarly impact. However, the significance of these metrics extends beyond numbers or factors. Using insights from both sources can help in career planning and accelerating success. We will explore how they reflect research quality, collaboration networks, and the influence of scholarly output. Additionally, we will address the dual nature of these metrics. While they can enhance recognition, career advancement, and knowledge dissemination, they also impose pressures that may lead to ethical concerns and serious problems. We will examine both the benefits and potential burdens of publications and citations to determine whether they serve as a guide for academic careers or act as a burden. We will also discuss strategies for balancing these pressures and maintaining well-being standards.

Caleb Daniel House, MSc.: How University Rankings Affect us?

Twenty years ago, world university rankings emerged as useful tools to assist international students in deciding where to study. Today their influence has exploded, and rankings are often used as the final arbitrators of university excellence by governments, institutions, media, academics and researchers, and even domestic students. How can Central European universities better understand and respond to these systems, especially when the ranking methodology might conflict with the university’s own values, goals, and culture? 

 Archive of STU 

We have been training engineers since 1938
Do you know how the first exam went at STU (Slovak University of Technology)?
What did the first "index" look like? How did the first students study? (1938 - 1953)
Poster presentation of documents and records on education between 1938 - 1953

 Presentation of STU Student Associations

Student organization ESN STUBA
Erasmus at STU, or "Why do we go/don't go to Erasmus"?
Information about the Erasmus program and its benefits for students and studies.
Discussions with participants on the topic "Why do we go/don't go to Erasmus"? How should the mobility window help? How does ESN STUBA help?

CHEM-Association of FCHPT STU students
Why are student organizations essential for the running of STU?
You will learn about the importance of student organizations for students, teachers, and the running of the faculties and samples of CHEM's activities.

Student meeting with Professor Dan Shechtman
Moderated student discussion with the winner of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry, prof. by Dan Shechtman.

IAESTE Slovakia
Train, travel and live to the fullest!
Information on how to get an internship using the IAESTE program, procedures, grant and financial possibilities. Experiences of wandering around the world.

Radio TLIS
The voices of STU
Radio TLIS was present at all important student events of STU. Reminisce about past and recent events through audio, photos and videos. You can participate in a short quiz. During the conference, short interviews with conference participants will be recorded.

STUBA Green Team
Formula Student Electric Team - Knowledge in practice!
Demonstrations of electric monopost components designed and manufactured by STU students. Presentation of the new single seater. News and achievements of STUBA Green Team at home and around the world (videos, photos, awards and secrets of our monopost).

BEST Bratislava
Stop being better, start being BEST
Our projects, our partners, international opportunities for students.
Beerpong - for all conference participants.

Club Amos
From the life and activities of the university club Amos in Trnava.
Poster

 Samples of Projects and Student Works 

BETTER BRATISLAVA
Presentation of student projects of the Data[LAB] studio
Physical model of a part of Bratislava with backlighting of digital layers

WEATHER STATION 
Multisensor modular IoT platform for monitoring environmental parameters
Poster and modell

ROBOT
Rehabilitation by means of a force-responsive robot
Poster and model

RADIO CAMERA
Poster and model

PROTECTION OF MODERN CULTURAL HERITAGE OBJECTS CONTAINING PLASTIC
Poster, film, presentation

INTELLIGENT GREENHOUSE VESNA
Interactive poster, projection and remote control

FOOD SAFETY
Microbial food safety monitoring and detection of significant nutritional and anti-nutritive substances
Poster

DEVELOPMENT OF STRATOSPHERIC PROBE
Poster

AUTOMATIC MONITORING OF THE PERSON'S POSITION THROUGH THE ESP32-CAM MODULE
Poster

BRATISLAVA - THE CITY OF THE WORLD'S BRIDGES
Diagnostics of the condition of ropes of suspension bridges
Poster and model

EJECTOR COOLING OF BUILDINGS WITHOUT ELECTRICITY
Poster and model

REVITALIZATION OF THE SURROUNDINGS OF THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY IN BRATISLAVA
Model

REVITALIZATION OF SPACES AROUND THE BUILDING OF CIVIL EQUIPMENT
Model

ROOF FRAGMENT OF THE PROPOSED WINERY IN THE ORAVA REGION
Model

PRODUCTION HALL – ASSEMBLED REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE
Model