Keynotes
Alan Kwan
Cardiff University, Wales, United Kingdom
Alan Kwan
Cardiff University, Wales, United Kingdom
Alfonso Rodríguez Dono
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, BarcelonaTech (UPC), Spain
Alfonso Rodríguez Dono
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, BarcelonaTech (UPC), Spain
A graduate of Sheffield and Cambridge University, Professor Kwan specialises in lightweight, cable and foldable structures, Computational Mechanics, and Sustainable Informatics. He has a teacher with a keen interest in pedagogy, and evolving / adapting pedagogy with diverse learning characteristics.
Title
Beyond digital native: envisioning Civil Engineering programmes for Gen Alpha
Abstract
The current generation of “digital native” students will soon be phasing out, as the new Generation Alpha arrives at our universities. Born into a world of smart devices, touch screens, ubiquitous connectivity, raised with immersive tech, streaming, and AI-augmented schooling, they come with unprecedented digital fluencies alongside distinct pedagogical needs. This talk will outline how we might re-construct our Civil Engineering programmes to best serve this incoming generation of student engineers. By exploring how to equip them as both inheritors and innovators, we can prepare Gen Alpha to proudly carry the torch of our discipline as they go on to tackle the new and increasing demands of our rapidly changing infrastructural world.
Institutional or personal webpage
https://profiles.cardiff.ac.uk/staff/kwan
Alfonso Rodríguez Dono is an associate professor at UPC BarcelonaTech and a researcher at CIMNE. He holds a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering (University of Vigo, 2011) and an International Master’s in Sustainable Exploitation of Mineral Resources (Technical University of Madrid). His research combines rock mechanics and numerical modelling — including the post-failure behaviour of rock masses, tunnelling and underground-excavation design, and slope stability — with a strong interest in sustainability, ecodesign and the circular economy.
He is the winner of the 2025 EUCEET Award for Excellence in Teaching in Civil Engineering for his initiative “Engineering Education for a Sustainable Future: Confronting Environmental Challenges”, which integrates structured classroom debates, interdisciplinary teaching and large-scale public engagement (such as the “Beyond Growth” conference). His teaching has also been recognised with the UPC Award for Quality in University Teaching and the Jaume Vicens Vives Distinction.
Provisional keynote theme (to be confirmed)
Educating civil engineers for the green transition — pedagogy for sustainability and critical thinking
Presenters
Damir Lazarević, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Mladen Vukomanović, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Petra Gidak, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Zvonko Sigmund, University of Zagreb, Croatia