Chennai, 7th, April 2026:
Innovation Without Borders: ICNWC 2026 Inaugurated at SRMIST with Global Participation
The Department of Networking and Communications, School of Computing, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), organized the Third International Conference on Networking and Communications (ICNWC 2026) on 7th and 8th April 2026, in association with IEEE Madras Section and in technical partnership with the Energy Sustainability Focus Group (ESFG), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Malaysia.
The conference commenced with a pre-conference international launch session held on 31st March 2026 at UMPSA, Malaysia, marking a significant milestone in global academic collaboration and setting the stage for knowledge exchange through keynote talks and research presentations.
The inaugural ceremony held at SRMIST was conducted with great enthusiasm and academic grandeur, featuring invocation, welcome address, presidential address, keynote sessions, and felicitation of dignitaries. Dr.M.Lakshmi, the Head of the Department of Networking and Communications emphasized the importance of global collaboration, noting that innovation transcends borders and collective research drives meaningful progress. The conference is organized in association with IEEE Madras Section and in technical partnership with Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Malaysia.
The event was graced by distinguished dignitaries including the Vice Chancellor, Chief Guest Dr. Duvvuri Seshagiri, Guest of Honour Dr. Sudheer Joseph, Dr. Brindha Saminathan and senior academic leaders of SRMIST. The presence of international speakers and delegates from Malaysia, Europe, Australia, the United Kingdom, and other countries underscored the global reach of the conference.
Insights from Defence, Ocean Science, and IEEE Leaders
Chief Guest Dr. Duvvuri Seshagiri, Director, Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, DRDO, Ministry of Defence highlighted India’s transition from a defence importer to an emerging exporter, emphasizing the need for collaboration among advanced technology, armed forces, industry, and research institutions. He noted that modern warfare is increasingly driven by scientific advancements, where integrated communication networks connect sensors and weapon systems for strategic decision-making.
Guest of Honour Dr. Sudheer Joseph, Scientist-G, Group Director, ARO-(OMARS), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, spoke on the importance of data-driven ocean research and India’s growing focus on the blue economy. He emphasized the role of IoT sensors and digital twin technologies in understanding ocean environments and supporting sectors such as fisheries and naval operations, highlighting opportunities for interdisciplinary research.
Dr. Brindha Saminathan, Treasurer, IEEE Madras Section emphasized IEEE’s role as a global platform for collaboration and innovation. She highlighted opportunities for researchers to gain international recognition and access funding support for projects in emerging domains such as AI, IoT, and next-generation communication technologies.
Distinguished Keynote Speakers and Global Participation
ICNWC 2026 features an impressive lineup of keynote speakers from leading academic institutions, research organizations, and global industries. The conference witnessed participation from experts representing diverse countries including Malaysia, United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, France, Poland, Armenia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, and India, showcasing its strong international presence.
The conference witnessed the physical presence of prominent international speakers, including Dr. Nurizzatul Atikha Binti Rahmat, Dr. Mas Ayu Binti Hassan, and Dr. Sudhakar Kumarasamy from UMPSA, Malaysia, as well as Professor Liew Chee Sun, Dr. Hemalatha Mahalingam, Prof. Sorin Olaru, and Dr. Tommaso Pecorella, thereby further strengthening international collaboration.
The keynote sessions included distinguished national speakers such as Dr. Deepak Raj Rao, Dr. Deepak Mishra, Dr. Neena Goveas, and Dr. Hemant Kumar Rath, alongside industry experts from leading organizations including Nokia, Samsung R&D, Infosys, and other technology enterprises.
The conference also hosted renowned international speakers such as Dr. Harry Yu, Dr. Lemai Nguyen, Prof. Sorin Olaru, Dr. Maciej Huk, Dr. Armen Bagdasaryan, and Prof. Damien Hanyurwimfura, among others.
This diverse participation from academia, research organizations, and leading global companies highlights the conference’s role as a platform for cross-border knowledge exchange and industry-academia collaboration.
Focus on Innovation and Research Excellence
ICNWC 2026 provides a platform to explore advancements in networking, cybersecurity, IoT, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and sustainable technologies. The conference received over 3,400 research submissions, with 378 papers accepted, reflecting high academic standards.
Key Messages from the Inauguration
The Vice Chancellor Dr. C. Muthamizhchelvan highlighted the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence and encouraged students to pursue innovative and collaborative research. He also announced a hackathon initiative involving R&D experts.
Conference Milestone and Conclusion
A key highlight of the inauguration was the release of the ICNWC 2026 souvenir by the dignitaries, symbolizing the collective research contributions of participants worldwide.
The successful organization of the conference was made possible through the leadership and guidance of Dr. Revathi Venkataraman, Dr. Pushpalatha M, Dr. M. Lakshmi, and Dr. M. Thenmozhi.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. M. Thenmozhi, Conference Convener. She expressed her sincere gratitude to the distinguished dignitaries, keynote speakers, international delegates, organizing committee members, faculty, and student volunteers for their dedicated efforts in making the event a grand success. She also acknowledged the valuable support of IEEE Madras Section and international partners, whose contributions were instrumental in organizing ICNWC 2026.
Conclusion:
ICNWC 2026 aims to strengthen global research networks, bridge academia-industry gaps, and foster innovative technological solutions for societal benefit. The conference is expected to serve as a catalyst for long-term collaborations and impactful research in networking and communication technologies.