The 4th World Conference on Technology and Engineering Education, held in the Faculty of Architecture at Slovak University of Technology (STU) in Bratislava, Slovakia, from 2 to 5 September 2015, commenced with an Opening Ceremony attended by the Conference Patron, Professor Robert Redhammer, Rector of the University, who delivered the Opening Welcome on behalf of the host institution.

The University’s management was represented by the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, A/Professor Lubica Vitkova, Conference Honorary Chairman, and Professor Robert Špaček, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Conference General Co-Chairman. The WIETE International Academic Advisory Committee (WIETE-IAAC) was represented by its President, Professor Andrew Nafalski of the University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia. Directors of the WIETE, Professor Zenon J. Pudlowski and Mrs Dorota I. Pudlowski participated in the Ceremony, as did Professor Derek O. Northwood of the University of Windsor, Canada (Inaugural President of the (WIETE-IAAC)) and his wife Marylyn Northwood.

Two Opening Addresses were presented during the Opening Ceremony. The first Opening Address was given by A/Professor Viljan Mahnič from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, and was entitled The capstone course as a means for teaching agile software development through project-based learning. The second Opening Address, co-authored by Professor Robert Špaček and Dr Martin Uhrík from the host institution, entitled: Experiment as a programme – new schemes in architectural education completed the Opening Addresses Session.

During the three days of the Conference’s formal activities, about 25 papers were presented on four major topics: The role and importance of technology and engineering education in sustainability and environmental protection; Advanced and alternative methods of education and training, new technologies and advancements in the education process; The nature of cognitive processes, heuristics and creative thought, problem- and project-based education and training; and The importance of academia/industry co-operation, specific case studies and competitions. The WIETE contribution to the Conference academic programme was a revised, advanced workshop that was developed and conducted by Mrs Dorota I. Pudlowski and Professor Zenon J. Pudlowski, and which was entitled: Research cycle – a round-table discussion on research publications, citations and research impact.

Day four of the Conference was dedicated to a river cruise on the River Danube, with the final destination being the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum that is located about 20km down river from Bratislava. The Museum is situated on a peninsula on the Danube and it houses an exhibition of artefacts that in many respects connect modern art with technology.

Editorial work has begun on papers presented at the Conference, which will be included in the World Transactions on Engineering and Technology Education (WTE&TE), Vol.13, No.3, to be published under Guest Editor Professor Robert Špaček.