Tuesday, 14 September 2010, saw the opening of the 1st World Conference on Technology and Engineering Education in Kraków, Poland. The Conference was organised by the World Institute for Engineering and Technology Education (WIETE) in collaboration with the Department of Electrical and Power Engineering (DEPE) in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Automatics, IT and Electronics at AGH University of Science and Technology, Kraków, Poland, and held at this University between 14 and 17 September 2010.

Due to the current global economic problems, the Conference was a small international gathering. However, despite these difficulties, more than 20 international and local academics, the most enthusiastic and dedicated of colleagues and friends, attended the Conference and presented their papers. Most impressive was the fact that the Conference was a showcase for the research and development activities carried out by academics in the Department of Electrical and Power Engineering (DEPE), presented in eight highly informative papers.

In his introductory address, the WIETE Director and Conference General Chairman, Professor Zenon J. Pudlowski, outlined the aims and objectives of the Conference. In particular, the gathering of Polish and international academics sought to raise further the profile of technology and engineering education and to provide an international forum for the exchange of information on research and developmental achievements in this critical area.

Delegates were welcomed by Professor Antoni Cieśla, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Automatics, IT and Electronics at AGH University of Science and Technology. He introduced the University and his Faculty, and provided a comprehensive and informative insight into the work and activities carried out by the University. In the context of research and education activities conducted in the Faculty, he emphasised the prevailing need for international collaboration in the sphere of technology and engineering.

The Opening Address was presented by Professor Harold P. Sjursen of the Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America.

It is envisaged that the Conference Proceedings, including 19 informative papers, will be published on CD and will be available on the WIETE site.

The picture shows Prof. Antoni Cieśla welcoming delegates to the Conference, accompanied by Prof. S.A. Mitkowski (l) and Prof. Z.J. Pudlowski (r).