Conference Overview

The Institute of Engineering & Management (IEM) and the University of Engineering & Management (UEM), operating from Kolkata and Jaipur, convened the IEEE 17th Annual Information Technology, Electronics, and Mobile Communication Conference (IEEE IEMCON 2026) at the University of California, Berkeley. The three‑day event ran from September 30 to October 2, 2026, bringing together researchers, academics, industry experts, students, and innovators from around the world.

Objectives and Significance

The organisers highlighted that the conference aims to bring Indian researchers and students closer to the global research community, offering exposure to emerging technologies, international academic networks, keynote lectures, and collaborative opportunities. According to Prof. Satyajit Chakrabarti, Vice‑Chancellor of UEM Kolkata, the initiative creates a bridge between Indian academia and leading global researchers, with expected downstream benefits for thousands of Indian students, faculty, and research groups.

Technical Programme

Fourteen technical sessions covered fast‑developing areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Applications of AI, IoT and Big Data, Advanced Mobile Communication and AI, AI and Cybersecurity, Cloud and Big Data, Cybersecurity and Blockchain, AI and Consumer Electronics, AI and Wireless Technologies, Consumer Electronics and Human‑Device Interaction, Communication and AI, and other AI‑driven technologies.

Keynote Programme

The inaugural session on September 30 was opened by Prof. (Dr.) Rajashree Paul, Technical Co‑Chair. The keynote lineup featured:

  • Thomas Kehler, CEO of CrowdSmart (formerly CEO of IntelliCorp and CEO Connect), speaking on “Rebuilding the Artificial Neuron for a Distributed Intelligence Reasoning System.”
  • Prof. Hamid Jafarkhani (University of California, Irvine) on “UAV Wireless Communication and Sensing Networks.”
  • Dr. Yan Liu (University of Southern California) scheduled for October 1 on “Frontiers of Physics‑Informed Foundational Models for Time Series.”
  • Anna Lisa Gentile, Senior Research Scientist at IBM, presenting “From Conversation to Memory: Consolidating What Agents Learn About Us.”
  • Dr. Robert W. Heath Jr. (University of California, San Diego) delivering “The Tri‑Hybrid MIMO Architecture for 6G.”
  • Dr. Yuhong Liu (Santa Clara University) concluding with “Trustworthy AI.”

Participation and Acceptance Rate

The conference attracted contributions from academics, students, and professionals affiliated with institutions such as IIT Madras, multiple University of California campuses, Arizona State University, George Mason University, Marshall University, Trinity Western University, PayPal, NVIDIA, Roku, and others. Researchers represented countries including the United States, India, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Germany, the Netherlands, Brazil, Pakistan, and Taiwan. The paper acceptance rate stood at 34.6%, reflecting a selective peer‑review process.

Leadership and Governance

Conference leadership included Prof. (Dr.) Son Vuong (University of British Columbia) as General Co‑Chair, Dr. Mohammad‑Reza Alam (University of California, Berkeley) as General Co‑Chair, Prof. (Dr.) Phillip Bradford (University of Connecticut) as Technical Co‑Chair, and Prof. (Dr.) Charles Rubenstein (Pratt Institute, USA) as Financial Chair.

Expected Impact

Through IEEE IEMCON 2026, the IEM‑UEM Group seeks to expand international research engagement, enabling Indian students, researchers, and faculty to gain direct exposure to global developments in science, engineering, and emerging technologies, and to channel the knowledge and collaborations back into Indian academic and innovation ecosystems.