The Heritage Network Annual General Assembly 2026 commenced today at the TEXMiN Hall of the i2H Building, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, marking the formal inauguration of the four-day Indo-European academic congregation being hosted from March 1–4, 2026.
Organized by the Office of the Dean (International Relations & Alumni Affairs), IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, in association with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Assembly has brought together distinguished academicians, institutional leaders and policymakers from India and Europe to strengthen research and academic cooperation.
Prof. Rajeev Upadhyay, Dean (IRAA), delivered the welcome address and emphasized IIT (ISM)’s commitment to advancing meaningful global collaborations. Prof. Tanmoy Maity, Associate Dean (IRAA) and Convenor of the Assembly, outlined the objectives of the 2026 General Assembly and highlighted the growing momentum of Indo-European academic partnerships.
The inaugural session was conducted by Prof. Rajni Singh, Dean of Corporate Communications, who, as host, underlined the significance of the Heritage Network in fostering long-term institutional relationships and expanding avenues for joint research, academic mobility and collaborative innovation.
Prof. Teresa Zielińska, President of the Heritage Network, described the 2026 Assembly as a milestone year as the Network approaches a decade of impactful collaboration. Expressing gratitude to the Director, Deans and officials of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad for hosting the event, she highlighted the importance of face-to-face engagement in strengthening Indo-European cooperation.
Referring to shared global challenges such as sustainability, digital transformation and inclusive education, she called for collective action to translate ideas into durable academic partnerships.
Prof. Vimal Chandra Srivastava, Vice-President of the Heritage Network, welcomed European delegates to India and stressed the need to move beyond bilateral engagements toward multi-institutional frameworks that benefit students and faculty. He pointed to emerging joint calls, funding avenues and new cooperation frameworks between India and the European Union, particularly in manufacturing, climate action and advanced education systems.
Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director of IIT (ISM), termed the Assembly historic in the institute’s centenary year and emphasized a shift from knowledge transfer to technology transfer through joint master’s programmes and impactful global collaborations.
The keynote address by Gwenaelle Guillermon on the T.I.M.E. Association and double degree opportunities highlighted global demographic trends and the rising demand for international mobility, encouraging universities to expand cross-border engineering education initiatives.
The inaugural session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Prof. Somnath Chattopadhyay, Head of Mechanical Engineering and Co-Convenor of the event.
The Organising Committee includes Prof. Tanmoy Maity as Convenor, Prof. Alok Das and Prof. Somnath Chattopadhyay as Co-Convenors, along with Prof. Saurabh Datta Gupta, Prof. Shibayan Sarkar, Shri Ashish Kumar and Shri Mrityunjay Sharma.
Day 1 further featured thematic conferences and workshops on education and technologies, focusing on sustainability, inclusive education, social innovation and international collaboration models. Over the next two days, deliberations will include the President’s roadmap for the Network’s future, review of ongoing initiatives, poster presentations, management discussions including selection of future hosts, bilateral meetings, campus visits and cultural engagements, reinforcing IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s growing role as a global knowledge partner.
