Anette Kolmos receives the 2023 SEFI Leonardo DaVinci Medal

At the SEFI Annual Conference 2023, where educators, experts, and innovators gather, we celebrated advancements in engineering education. This conference is a place for sharing new ideas, exploring emerging trends, and building collaborations in the field. Among the awards, the Leonardo DaVinci Medal from the European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI) holds a special place. This prestigious award recognizes remarkable contributions that have made a lasting global impact. This year, we proudly honored Professor Anette Kolmos, a distinguished figure in engineering education.

Professor Anette Kolmos is a distinguished Danish educator who has devoted her career to advancing engineering education and problem-based learning (PBL). Her remarkable journey began in 1984 when she earned her Master of Arts degree in social science and psychology at Aalborg University. Her insatiable thirst for knowledge led her to pursue a Ph.D. in technology and gender studies, which she completed in 1989. Since 2003, Anette Kolmos has held the esteemed position of Professor of Engineering Education and Problem-based Learning at the Department of Planning at Aalborg University.

Throughout her illustrious career, Professor Kolmos has dedicated herself to researching and disseminating knowledge about problem-based learning, a transformative educational approach. Her contributions extend far beyond the classroom, as she has played pivotal roles in UNESCO projects, including chairing a UNESCO project on problem-based learning in 2007. Subsequently, she became the leader of the Aalborg Center for Problem-Based Learning in Engineering, Science, and Sustainability, the only Danish UNESCO Category 2 center.

Therefore, Professor Anette Kolmos has been conferred the SEFI Award of the Leonardo DaVinci Medal. Her outstanding contributions and transformative impact on engineering education, dedication, leadership, and pioneering spirit have shaped the landscape of engineering education and inspired countless individuals to take on leadership roles and drive innovation in the field. We are happy to honor Professor Anette Kolmos and her enduring legacy at this SEFI Annual Conference 2023. Congratulations, Professor Kolmos, on this well-deserved honor!