The international conference MODELS 2025 brings global computing leaders to Grand Rapids, showcasing GVSU’s expanding role in innovation
Published October 13, 2025 by Shelby Harrison
MODELS 2025
International Conference held at GVSU
For five days, the 28th International Conference on Model-Driven Engineering Languages and Systems (MODELS) transformed Grand Rapids into a global hub for collaboration, discovery, and cross-disciplinary exchange in Software Engineering. The event drew more than 400 in-person and virtual researchers, practitioners, and industry leaders from over 30 countries, each exploring how model-driven engineering is shaping the next generation of intelligent systems from artificial intelligence and sustainability to digital twins and autonomous vehicles.
The hybrid conference marked the first time MODELS had ever been held in Grand Rapids and its first return to the United States since 2017, bringing worldwide attention to the city’s growing tech identity and GVSU’s expanding role in computing research.
Walking through the conference’s bustling sessions and poster halls, it was clear this wasn’t just another academic meeting. It was a showcase of how a university and a city can work together to welcome the world. Participants filled downtown hotels and restaurants, visited the Valley and City campuses, and experienced a Midwest community eager to engage with global research.
Dr. Bjoern Annighoefer from the University of Stuttgart in Germany admitted he hadn’t known much about GVSU before arriving.
“I was completely surprised because this was not a university I had in my view,” he said. “I was also surprised by the diversity of disciplines taught here and the openness of the campuses that exist. By the way, Grand Rapids surprised me as a very nice city to be in.”
His sentiment was echoed by Michael Oberlehner, a doctoral student from Johannes Kepler University in Austria.
“I really like the city (Grand Rapids). It’s small and charming, it’s clean, and all the people here are friendly,” he said.
For many international attendees, the experience offered something rare. A world-class conference hosted in a community known for its collaboration and warmth than its size.
Behind the scenes, dozens of students from the College of Computing along with peers from universities around the world played a critical role in making the event possible. They managed registration tables, guided speakers between sessions, and handled technical support. In return, they gained front-row access to conversations shaping the future of software engineering.
“Volunteering at MODELS 2025 was such a meaningful experience for me,” said Akua Frimpomaa Kyei, a student in the College of Computing. “I got to meet and learn from amazing people in the computing field, and it helped me see how what we learn in class connects to real-world research and innovation. It really opened my eyes to how technology can make systems more secure and efficient. The experience also motivated me to keep building my skills in cybersecurity and research as I work toward my future career in computing.”
For students like Kyei, the experience wasn’t just about exposure, it was about belonging. Many volunteers said they left the conference feeling more confident in their ability to contribute to research and more inspired to continue their studies in computing.
While the conference celebrated academic discovery, its impact stretched far beyond campus walls. Industry representatives from Michigan and across the country including many GVSU alumni and leaders from Big Tech joined the conversation to explore how model-driven techniques are transforming manufacturing, data analytics, and cybersecurity.
During the conference’s Industry Days, attendees connected with professionals from national and global technology companies. The presence of these companies demonstrated the growing intersection between academic research and applied innovation in West Michigan.
MODELS 2025 was sponsored by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), SIGSOFT, IEEE Computer Society, and IEEE Computer Society TSCE, along with local and industry sponsors including Array of Engineers, Atomic Object, and Michigan Software Labs.
“Hosting MODELS 2025 in Grand Rapids was about more than bringing a world-class research conference to our campus,” said Dr. Marouane Kessentini, Dean of the College of Computing and General Chair of the conference. “It demonstrated that West Michigan can be a home for global research and innovation in technology. It’s a place where academia, industry, and community come together to shape the future of computing. It is exciting to see GVSU organizing a conference of this caliber. The event brought together world-class researchers, practitioners, and students from across the globe to share groundbreaking work and inspiring ideas shaping the future of software and systems engineering: keynote speakers, engaging research sessions, tools and demos, doctoral symposium, poster sessions, industry day and a vibrant banquet.”
MODELS 2025 placed GVSU on the map for model-driven engineering by highlighting how collaboration between academia, industry, and community can drive real progress.
As the conference lights dimmed and guests departed Grand Rapids, what remained was a sense of pride. MODELS 2025 proved that innovation doesn’t just happen in the world’s largest cities. It can thrive in communities like Grand Rapids, where curiosity, collaboration, and creativity thrive.