CEISEE 2026 in Cork
August 28, 2026
Reflections from CEISEE 2026 in Cork on AI, software engineering education, and academic collaboration.
I was delighted to attend CEISEE 2026 – the China-Europe International Symposium on Software Engineering Education, held at University College Cork (UCC), Ireland, on 27–28 August 2026. It was a very rewarding few days in Cork, with opportunities not only for academic exchange, but also for reflecting on how rapidly AI is reshaping computer science and software engineering education.
One of the highlights was the keynote by Professor Klaas-Jan Stol from University College Cork, titled “Onboarding of Software Professionals in a Hybrid World.” His talk discussed how software professionals adapt to increasingly hybrid working environments and how software development practices continue to evolve. It was particularly interesting to consider these changes alongside the rapid development of Generative AI and AI-assisted software engineering. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into programming, development and professional workflows, the skills we expect students to develop—and the way we teach and assess them—will also need to evolve.
Another valuable part of the conference was the China-Europe panel discussion on “Impact of AI on Software Engineering Education and the Potential Response Strategies.” The discussion brought together academics from both Europe and China to exchange perspectives on how universities should respond to the opportunities and challenges created by AI. Topics around curriculum design, assessment, student learning and the changing role of educators were especially relevant to my own teaching and research interests. It was useful to hear how colleagues from different educational systems are thinking about many of the same questions.
Beyond the technical programme, I also learned a great deal from the people who have built and sustained this academic community. In particular, it was inspiring to see the continued support and leadership of our Honorary Chairs, Professor Xiaofei Xu and Professor Bing Wu, and to learn from their experience in developing CEISEE over more than 20 editions. Building a long-running international academic forum requires not only research expertise, but also vision, commitment, collaboration and the ability to bring people together year after year. This was a valuable example for me as I think about my own future academic development and the possibility of organising workshops, forums and conferences in the years ahead.
The visit to Cork was also very enjoyable. I stayed at The Kingsley Hotel, which provided a relaxing setting during the conference. The riverside environment, particularly the restaurant overlooking the river, was a great place to unwind and continue conversations with colleagues after a full day of sessions.
Overall, CEISEE 2026 was a highly rewarding experience. I came away with new ideas about AI and software engineering education, new perspectives from colleagues across China and Europe, and a better appreciation of the long-term effort required to build a successful international academic community.
Many thanks to the organisers, chairs, speakers and participants who made the event possible. I look forward to bringing some of these ideas into my own teaching, research and future academic activities.
Cork, Ireland | 27–28 August 2026.