IIT Guwahati Hosts Inaugural INDIS 2026 Design Conference
IIT Guwahati and MIT Pune launched INDIS 2026, a global platform exploring the intersection of design, technology, and sustainable innovation.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has marked a significant milestone in the global creative landscape by hosting the first-ever edition of the International Conference on Design and Innovation Studies (INDIS 2026). Held from September 28 to 30, 2026, the event served as a massive melting pot for researchers, industry titans, policymakers, and entrepreneurs aiming to tackle complex societal issues through the lens of design and technology.
Organized by the Department of Design at IIT Guwahati in partnership with the MIT Institute of Design, Pune, the conference was uniquely integrated with Asia Design Week. This collaboration brought the first India edition of the renowned international design platform to the campus, creating a multidisciplinary hub for academic exchange and international industry collaboration.
A Vision for Socio-Economic Development
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Assam Minister of Education, Plain Tribes and Information Technology, who served as the Chief Guest. Highlighting the importance of early exposure to creative thinking, Dr. Pegu emphasized that innovation is the fundamental driver of socio-economic progress.
“Creativity should be imbibed at the school level itself, which will help our students to be innovative. Innovation is the key to socio-economic development, and I am happy to see the cutting-edge research and development initiatives of the Department of Design, IIT Guwahati, for innovation,” said Dr. Pegu.
Paban Kr. Borthakur, IAS (Retd.), Chairman of RERA Assam, attended the event as the Guest of Honour. Meanwhile, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, lauded the Department of Design for its dedication to pushing the boundaries of innovation within Assam and the wider nation.
Where Design Meets Business and Technology
INDIS 2026 was designed as a rigorous academic platform to explore how design methodologies can create more accessible, equitable, and sustainable solutions. The conference delved into various critical verticals, including:
- Human-centred design and user experience (UX)
- Digital service systems and emerging digital technologies
- Public sector innovation and technology-enabled inclusion
- Design methods, tools, and systemic dimensions
Prof. Pratul Chandra Kalita, Conference Chair and Head of the Department of Design at IIT Guwahati, noted the overwhelming academic interest in the event. He revealed that the conference saw a massive contribution from global scholars, with 81 papers presented across four parallel sessions, set to be published by Taylor and Francis. Additionally, 40 short papers were presented for publication by Bloomsbury, and 100 entries were showcased under the umbrella of Asia Design Week.
Exploring the Frontiers of Innovation
The three-day summit was far from traditional, covering a vast spectrum of disciplines ranging from product and industrial design to transportation, mobility, and space design. The program also tackled cutting-edge, interdisciplinary frontiers that are shaping the future of the industry, such as:
- AI-driven computational design: Leveraging artificial intelligence to redefine creative processes.
- Frugal and bio-inspired innovation: Finding sustainable solutions through nature and resourcefulness.
- Design entrepreneurship: Bridging the gap between academic research and commercial viability.
- Product-service-system design: Rethinking how products and services interact in a modern economy.
Through keynote addresses from a prestigious group of international and Indian academicians and creative leaders, INDIS 2026 has established itself as a vital forum for anyone looking to understand how the intersection of design and technology can solve the world's most pressing challenges.