Preface of the ETLTC 2025 Conference Series ^†

1. Introduction

We are pleased to present the proceedings of the ETLTC–ICETM2025 International Conference Series, held from January 20 to 26, 2025, in Aizuwakamatsu, Japan, and hosted in hybrid format by the University of Aizu. Organized by the Emerging Technologies, Learning, and Training Consortium (ETLTC), the event provided a dynamic international forum for researchers, practitioners, and educators to share insights on emerging technological solutions shaping the future of engineering, computing, and digital learning environments.

The 2025 conference placed strong emphasis on interdisciplinary innovation, where sessions highlighted the application of engineering and computing principles in real-world domains such as intelligent education systems, green technology, AI in healthcare, IoT and smart infrastructure, cyber–physical systems, and technopreneurship. Several contributors presented novel frameworks using machine learning, blockchain, and data science for addressing critical problems in education, logistics, and public service delivery.

Engineering scholars from over 15 countries participated, with technical papers showcasing practical system designs, simulation studies, algorithmic models, and case-based analyses. Notable themes included the following:

• AI and ML models for medical and classroom diagnosis;
• Decision support systems for smart aquaculture;
• Secure data platforms for cross-border educational collaboration;
• Lean prototyping methods for engineering-based startups.

We sincerely thank the University of Aizu for their outstanding support and hospitality. We gratefully acknowledge our global academic collaborators, including Jindal Global University (India), Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences (Germany), University of Western Macedonia (Greece), Nusa Putra University (Indonesia), Christ University (India), as well as faculty partners from Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.

We extend special appreciation to Romblon State University and Caraga State University (Philippines) for their active contributions to both paper presentations and ongoing regional research dialogues.

We also wish to thank all authors, peer reviewers, and organizing team members for their unwavering dedication. We hope that this proceedings volume will serve as a foundation for future engineering advancements and cross-sector collaboration across education, sustainability, and technology management.

A companion Special Issue of the MDPI Technologies journal is being curated by Prof. Dr. Debopriyo Roy (University of Aizu, Japan) and Prof. Dr. George Fragulis (University of Western Macedonia, Greece), which focuses on the latest trends and innovations in the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Information Systems. This Special Issue is associated with the 7th ETLTC International Conference on ICT Integration in Technical Education, held from January 21 to 26, 2025, at the University of Aizu, Japan.

The Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research at the intersection of AI and information systems, addressing both theoretical frameworks and practical applications. Contributions are welcome on topics such as AI-powered decision-making tools, intelligent system architecture, adaptive learning environments, and ethical considerations in AI deployment. While top papers from the ETLTC2025 conference series will be featured, original research and review articles that are not part of the conference but are aligned with these themes are also encouraged.

We invite scholars and practitioners to submit their work to this Special Issue, contributing to the advancement of global understanding and implementation of AI in information systems.

2. 2025 Core Conference Committee

• General Chairs:

• Prof. Dr. Debopriyo Roy, University of Aizu, Japan.

• Technical Program Committee Chairs:

• Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Ziegler, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, Germany.
• Prof. Dr. George Fragulis, University of Western Macedonia, Greece.

• Program Co-Chairs:

• Prof. Ionnis Antoniadis, University of Western Macedonia, Greece.
• Prof. Adya Surbhi, Jindal Global University, India.
• Prof. Akash Gupta, Jindal Global University, India.
• Prof. Preexcy Tupas, Ramblon State University, The Philippines.
• Prof. Dr. Hapugahage Thilak Chaminda, Faculty of IT, ESOFT Metro Campus, Sri Lanka.
• Prof. Dr. Elias Gounopoulos, University of Western Macedonia, Greece.

• Program Core Committee:

• Prof. Didi Suryadi, Universitas Pendidikan, Indonesia.
• Dr. Agus Hendriyanto, M.Pd., Nusa Putra University, Indonesia.
• Lukman Hakim Muhaimin, M.Pd. Indonesia University of Education, Indonesia.
• Dr. Dadan Dasari, M.Si. Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia.
• Sani Sahara, M.Pd. Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia.
• Muhammad Rafi Naufal, Diponegoro University, Indonesia.

• Review Committee Coordinators:

• Narinder Singh Kharbanda, Amazon Web Services, Inc.
• Nuzhat Prova, Ph.D. Student, Pace University, Sr. Data Scientist.
• Dr. Udaka Ayas Manawadu, University of Aizu, Japan.
• Kiruthika Balakrishnan, Post-Doctoral Research Associate, National Center for Rural Health Professions, University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine Rockford, Illinois, USA.

• Steering Committee:

• Michael Cohen—University of Aizu, Japan.
• Prof. Dr. John Blake, University of Aizu, Japan.
• Prof. Dr. Peter Ilic, University of Aizu, Japan.
• Prof. Dr. Mohamed Hamada, University of Aizu, Japan.
• Prof. Dr. Fotis Koumboulis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
• Prof. Dr. Zhijun Gao, Beijing University, China.
• Prof. Dr. Koki Ijuin, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Japan.
• Prof. Dr. Takuichi Nishimura, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Japan.
• Prof. Dr. Chiaki Oshiyama, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Japan.