From April 17 to 19, 2024, Professor HUANG Ronghuai, Dean of Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University, UNESCO Chair on AI in Education, along with Associate Professor Ahmed Tlili and Assistant to Dean Dr. CHANG Tingwen, was invited to visit the University of Maribor in Slovenia to attend the 6th International Scientific Conference on Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Modelling in Education (PCE 2024) and to visit the Slovenian educational technology company Inovatio.
On April 17, Professor HUANG Ronghuai and his team co-hosted a doctoral student exchange discussion with Professor Andrej Flogie of the University of Maribor. The discussion focused on cutting-edge topics such as digital agents, robots, and artificial intelligence in education (AIED). Subsequently, Professor Huang and his team met with Vice Chancellor Professor Bojan Dolšak, President of the Quality Assessment Committee and Head of the Department of Biophysics Professor Marko Marhl, Professor Matej Vesenjak, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and former Dean Professor Boris Aberšek. During the meeting, both sides had in-depth exchanges on inter-institutional cooperation and student exchange programs, reaching several cooperative intentions, including jointly organizing summer camps and AIED research, as well as student exchange activities related to design.
On April 18, Professor HUANG Ronghuai attended the 6th International Scientific Conference on Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Modelling in Education (PCE 2024) hosted by the University of Maribor. In the international panel discussion, Professor Huang, along with many internationally renowned experts from philosophy, cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and education, discussed the transformation of educational models after the pandemic and the application of artificial intelligence technology in education. Professor Huang specifically shared China’s practical experience in online education during the pandemic and the latest progress in China’s policies and resource allocation for artificial intelligence technology.
During the visit, Professor HUANG Ronghuai and his team visited the Slovenian educational technology company Inovatio. The company is committed to providing advanced customized IT technology solutions for education, research, and business, including educational equipment such as electronic whiteboards and educational robots. Professor Huang expressed appreciation for the company’s innovative products and solutions and looked forward to future in-depth cooperation in the field of smart education.
On April 19, the delegation was invited to participate in the PCE conference activities organized by the ZAMS Institute (Institute Anton Martin Slomšek). The institute is dedicated to promoting the development of a new teaching culture centered on information and communication technology. At the meeting, Professor Huang discussed the possibilities of cooperation in future smart education and artificial intelligence projects with experts such as Dr. Borut Campelj from the Slovenian Ministry of Education, Professor Mitja Jermol, holder of UNESCO Chair in Open Technologies for Open Educational Resources and Open Education, and Dr. Blaz Zupan from the University of Ljubljana.
This visit not only strengthened the academic exchange and cooperation between the Smart Learning Institute at Beijing Normal University and Slovenian universities and enterprises but also laid a solid foundation for in-depth development in the field of smart education for both parties.