Kattankulathur, 18 March 2026:
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Kattankulathur, organised the 6th International Conference on Advances in Mechanical Engineering (ICAME-2026) in association with the University of Split, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Naval Architecture, Croatia.
The organizers highlighted that ICAME-2026 marks the sixth edition of a prestigious conference series that began in 2006, reflecting two decades of academic excellence and global collaboration. The conference focuses on advancing mechanical engineering research aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including clean energy, industry innovation, and climate action.
Dr. S. Ponnusamy, Registrar, SRMIST, emphasised the critical role of mechanical engineering in shaping modern society, from manufacturing and transportation to sustainable energy systems. He noted that conferences like ICAME provide a vital platform for researchers, academicians, and industry professionals to exchange ideas, foster innovation, and translate research into real-world applications.
Dr. M. Leenus J. Martin, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRMIST, highlighted the growing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, stating that modern engineering is increasingly driven by the integration of artificial intelligence, automation, and smart technologies. He underscored the need to transform research outputs into patents and, ultimately, industry-ready products, while encouraging students to actively engage with experts and leverage such platforms for future innovation.
Chief Guest Mr. Muthu Kumaran Pitchai, Director, India Operations Rockwell Automation India Pvt Ltd., said, “Technical excellence will get you into the room, but to truly excel, you need emotional balance, the ability to collaborate, and a strong growth mindset. Never stop learning, because the world doesn’t just need engineers; it needs engineering leaders who can adapt, innovate, and lead through uncertainty.”
Guest of Honour Dr. Shankar Venugopal, Vice President, Mahindra Research Valley, Chennai, spoke on the evolving landscape of mechanical engineering, highlighting its transformation from traditional systems to integrated domains involving electronics, software, and artificial intelligence. He emphasised the importance of purpose-driven research and encouraged participants to move beyond papers and patents towards creating impactful products that address real-world challenges.
ICAME-2026 placed strong emphasis on industry–academia collaboration, bringing together experts from leading industries, research organisations, and academic institutions. The presence of industry leaders facilitated meaningful discussions on real-world challenges, innovation-driven solutions, and technology transfer, thereby bridging the gap between research and industrial application.
The conference also aligns with national initiatives such as Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and the National Education Policy 2020, promoting research excellence, indigenous technology development, and innovation ecosystems that contribute to sustainable growth.
The event witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 700 abstracts received, of which more than 600 were accepted, and over 300 full-length research papers presented across multiple parallel sessions following a rigorous peer-review process. Selected papers are being processed for publication in reputed international journals.
ICAME-2026 stands as a significant platform for fostering global collaboration, advancing engineering research, and inspiring the next generation of innovators to contribute to sustainable and technology-driven development.