CIDIP / ICPME marks its 30th edition with a record number of scientific contributions and more than 200 delegates representing 20 countried

The International Congress on Project Management and Engineering (CIDIP / ICPME 2026) celebrates its 30th edition, further strengthening its growing international profile. During the congress, held at Universitat Jaume I (UJI) in Castellón de la Plana, a total of 271 scientific contributions will be presented.

Hosted by the Escola Superior de Tecnologia i Ciències Experimentals (ESTCE) and jointly organised by Universitat Jaume I and AEIPRO IPMA Spain, the congress brings together delegates and speakers from 20 countries from 7 to 9 July.

A strong representation of researchers and professionals will attend from countries across the Americas, including Mexico, Peru, Chile, the United States, Bolivia and Colombia, among others. This international dimension is further reinforced by participants from countries around the world such as Germany, Australia and India.

The scientific programme of the 30th International Congress on Project Management and Engineering features 224 papers and 47 posters, confirming the strong interest generated by this edition and the growing international prestige of the event.

The congress will be held in both onsite and online formats, enabling 68 delegates to present their papers remotely.

Eveline Lemke to deliver the opening keynote

Eveline Lemke will officially open CIDIP/ICPME 2026 with a keynote address focusing on resilience, sustainability and recovery after major climate disasters. A leading European figure in the energy transition, she will analyse the lessons learned from the reconstruction of Germany’s Ahr Valley, an experience of particular relevance to the Valencian Community following the floods of 2024.

This sustainability-focused perspective reaffirms the congress organisers’ commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

CIDIP/ICPME 2026 will be officially inaugurated by Jesús Lancis Sáez, Rector of Universitat Jaume I; Esther Gómez, Regional Secretary for Universities of the Generalitat Valenciana; Sergio Toledo, Deputy Mayor of Castellón de la Plana and Councillor for Urban Planning, Infrastructure and Public Services; María Dolores Bovea Edo, Chair of the Organising Committee; and M. Socorro García Cascales, President of AEIPRO.

The closing ceremony will also include Julio José Moyano Fernández, Director of the Escola Superior de Tecnologia i Ciències Experimentals at Universitat Jaume I, together with María Dolores Bovea and M. Socorro García Cascales.

30th Anniversary Commemorative Event

One of the highlights of the congress will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday, 7 July, with a special commemorative event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the congress. The event aims to recognise the legacy built over three decades while bringing together different generations of researchers and professionals to share experiences.

More than 6,000 scientific papers have been presented throughout the previous 29 editions, reflecting the importance and long-standing impact of CIDIP/ICPME.

International speakers

The International Seminar on Project Management and Engineering (ISoPM), the congress’s international programme conducted entirely in English, will feature Mladen Vukomanović, President of the International Project Management Association (IPMA), together with other internationally recognised speakers including Vladimir Obradovic and A. Sivathanu Pillai. Their participation further strengthens a first-class ISoPM programme chaired by Jesús Martínez Almela and Wolfgang Glitscher.

Energy transition, artificial intelligence and active learning will be the focus of three thematic panels bringing together researchers and professionals to discuss some of the key challenges and trends shaping the present and future of project management and engineering. The sessions will be chaired by M. Socorro García Cascales, President of AEIPRO IPMA Spain, together with José Luis Yagüe and Emilio Muñoz.

The congress will begin with a workshop aimed at enhancing the scientific communication skills of young researchers. Led by Paola Alvizuri, the session entitled «Your Idea in 60 Seconds» will focus on developing presentation skills through the elevator pitch technique.

The congress will conclude with a keynote lecture by Elena Moral Grande, a leading expert in industrial engineering, strategic management and technological leadership. Her presentation, entitled «Liderando proyectos con impacto: creando valor en un mundo cambiante», will bring the scientific programme to a close.

The Scientific Committee is chaired by Francisco Ortega, while Vanesa Lo Iacono serves as Project Manager of the congress.

Awards Ceremony

During the closing gala, to be held on Thursday, 9 July, at the Real Club Náutico de Castellón, several awards will be presented in recognition of the best scientific contributions submitted to the congress.

These include the Jaume Blasco Innovation Award, the General Council of Official Colleges of Industrial Engineers Award, the Young Researcher Award and the AEIPRO Awards for the Best Master’s Theses.

Beyond the scientific programme, delegates will also have the opportunity to enjoy several complementary activities. These include a technical visit to the underground service gallery at Universitat Jaume I, an innovative infrastructure that integrates the campus’s main utility networks within a single accessible underground space.

A guided tour of Castellón de la Plana has also been scheduled. In addition, on the afternoon of Wednesday, 8 July, participants will enjoy a cultural activity organised in collaboration with Castellón City Council and the Dávalos-Fletcher Foundation, featuring a tasting of traditional savoury «cocas» from Castellón together with a performance of traditional music and dance by Agrupació Folklòrica El Millars.

Sponsors

The Organising Committee would also like to acknowledge the support of the Regional Ministry of Education, Culture and Universities of the Generalitat Valenciana, the General Council of Official Colleges of Industrial Engineers, the Official College of Technical Industrial Engineers and Graduate Engineers of Castellón, and the Official College of Industrial Engineers of the Valencian Community.

The organisers also wish to express their gratitude to the staff and departments of Universitat Jaume I for their outstanding support, especially the Escola Superior de Tecnologia i Ciències Experimentals (ESTCE), the Vice-Rectorate for Research, the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Construction, the bp Chair in Industrial Environment, the FACSA Chair in Innovation in the Integrated Water Cycle, and the Torrecid Foundation Chair in Leadership and Innovation.