Dear Participants of the EAEEIE 2001 Conference,

During the last few years an exceptional enthusiasm has captured the scientific community about the possibilities to use computer technology to facilitate and improve the individual learning process. Those who have been in the profession for a long time, know that a deterministic device is not able to solve the problems of learning. Advances in various technologies in the past have given promise to similar advances in learning. Every time the applicability of these technologies have shown overestimated. They bring a new important ingredient to the process, but do not solve it completely. The best thing computers can do about learning is to repeat difficult parts of the subject to be studied over and over again to match individual students' learning abilities and styles.

The EAEEIE has participated during the last five years in the INEIT-MUCON Thematic Network financed by the European Union and the participating institutions. The TN has been able to create web material for learning in several disciplines in Electrical and Information Engineering. A remotely, through internet controlled thermal process was created, programs for the analysis of telecommunication signals were implemented, simulators of software and hardware processes of digital computers were accomplished, analysis of electrical motors was realized and microelectronic manufacturing processes visualized. These achievements have been published in international conferences and periodicals. It is my pleasure to congratulate the coordinator of the INEIT-MUCON Thematic Network about his contribution to the success of these efforts. This work will be continued within the THEIERE Thematic Network the primary aim of which is to consider harmonization of curricula in Europe. This work will continue a couple of years to come. These projects form a solid basis for the active members of the Association to implement their ideas and disseminate the results Europe-wide.

Now we have gathered to Nancy to review the advance of this exciting field during the last year. A multitude of topics will be covered in numerous sessions during the three conference days. A record number of contributions to the conference was filed and the highest quality papers were accepted by the international steering committee in Rennes meeting last February. Special sessions were introduced in specific topics. As we know high tech industries are booming everywhere in the world. There are good examples how these industries have been introduced in remote areas and they have resulted in remarkable economic growth. Mr. Angel J. García Rodríguez of Universidad de Málaga, España promised to organize this session. Another topic to be covered in a special session is copyright which interests the producers of web material. Dr. Michael Diprose of the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom is the organizer of this session. Quite often there has been discussion concerning the importance of pedagogy in web learning. Dr. Virginia Cano of Queen Mary University College from Edinburgh, United Kingdom is specializing in this topic and provides a workshop emphasizing pedagogical aspects.

The EAEEIE has made efforts to promote institutional memberships during the last year. Several new institutional members have joined the association. We wish them welcome both as financing and active contributing members to the association. We have the honor to have a common last day with the French Club EEA which continues two more days its meeting after the conference has finished. I hope that fruitful discussions will be carried on between the two societies.

Dear guests of the conference. We have an interesting experience during the three days to come. I wish you an enjoyable professional experience.

Pentti Lappalainen
President of the EAEEIE