The team of the ‘CNU EcoSystem’ Centre for Innovative Educational Technologies at Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University took part in the international scientific conference ‘The Future of Education – 16th Edition’, which took place on 17–19 June in Florence (Italy). Mykhailo Kotyk, Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Engineering and Electronics (participating remotely), presented a paper entitled ‘From Signals to Support: A Classroom-Scale Biometric–Facial Research Platform for Inclusive Education’), co-authored with Olena Budnyk, Professor at the Department of Primary Education and Educational Innovations, and Kateryna Fomin, Associate Professor at the Department of English Philology. The presentation outlined the theoretical concept and methodology for using biometric and emotional facial analytics in inclusive school practice, in particular to provide psychological and pedagogical support to pupils affected by war trauma.
The conference brought together researchers, educators and practitioners from around the world to discuss current challenges and innovative approaches in the field of education. The presentation poster was displayed at the conference venue, whilst its virtual presentation and video materials were published on the official website: https://conference.pixel-online.net/FOE/poster_presentation_scheda.php?id_abs=8172&id_sess=472. This format enabled the university’s research achievements to be presented to an international audience and ensured the team’s participation in the conference’s official programme.
Following the evaluation of the nominated research papers, the paper was selected as one of the four finalists for the inaugural Best Paper Award at the conference (The Future of Education International Conference 2026). During the awards ceremony on 19 June, the Organising Committee announced that the university team’s paper had received the Best Paper Award, attesting to its scientific quality, originality and relevance to the field of education. The paper will be published in the conference proceedings, which are indexed in Scopus and Web of Science.
Participation in the conference proved to be a valuable experience for the researchers, enhanced the university’s international academic visibility and expanded opportunities for further collaboration in the field of digital technologies and innovation in inclusive education. The results of this research will contribute to the development of the scientific activities of the Centre for Innovative Educational Technologies ‘CNU EcoSystem’, as well as to the creation of new interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of computer engineering, pedagogy and inclusive education.
We congratulate our colleagues and wish them continued success in their scientific research!