Staff Reporter : Kolkata, 14th March, 2026. Innovación 2026, the international techno-management festival hosted by the Institute of Engineering & Management (IEM) and the University of Engineering & Management (UEM), Kolkata, is underway at the IEM–UEM campus and will continue until March 15. The event, which began on March 13, has brought together students, researchers and innovators from India and several other countries to present technology projects, research work and entrepreneurial ideas.
The second day of the festival on March 14 is focused on recognition and felicitation, highlighting achievements of students and contributors associated with the institution.
The festival has gained wider attention following the performance of UEM Kolkata students at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 organised by the Government of India. Students from the university secured both the first and second positions in the YuvAI – Global Youth Challenge, competing among more than 20,000 projects from across the country.
Innovación has gradually developed into a student-driven platform for technology demonstration and academic exchange in eastern India, with participants presenting solutions in artificial intelligence, robotics and other emerging digital technologies.
This year’s edition features more than 150 technology projects and over 100 research posters presented by student teams and research groups. The projects cover areas including artificial intelligence, robotics, embedded systems, electronics, software development, data science, renewable energy, sustainable technologies and management innovation.
Universities and academic institutions from several countries are participating in the festival, creating opportunities for international collaboration and exchange of ideas.
The programme is being conducted under the leadership of Banani Chakrabarti, President of the IEM–UEM Group, and Prof. Dr. Satyajit Chakrabarti, Director of the group. Members of the institutional leadership associated with the event include Prof. Sanghamitra Chakrabarti, Prof. Rajarshree Paul, Gopa Goswami, Prof. Diptiman Dasgupta, Prof. Arun Kumar Bar, Prof. Anupam Bhattacharya and Prof. Prabir Kumar Das. The event is being organised with active coordination from Prof. Samapika Das Biswas and Prof. Debasmita Bhattacharya.
Among the invited guests are Padma Shri Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya, Indian classical musician, and Dr. Moumita Dutta, space scientist from the Indian Space Research Organisation.
A notable highlight linked to the institution this year is the success of UEM Kolkata students at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. In the YuvAI – Global Youth Challenge, students secured the first and second prizes among thousands of entries from across India.
The first prize went to AGNISENA, a system designed for early detection and monitoring of forest fires. The project received ₹15 lakh along with Meta AI glasses. The second prize was awarded to VOX-AID, a platform that analyses voice patterns to help detect dysarthria, a neurological speech disorder, at an early stage. The project received ₹10 lakh.
Both projects were developed by third-year students under the Institution’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Cell (IEDC), and the teams are demonstrating their work during the festival.
Alongside the exhibitions, Innovación 2026 includes a series of competitions spanning robotics, coding, management and creative disciplines. Technical showcases such as Innovare, Electroslides and Aperture feature student projects and research posters, while robotics contests including Hell in a Cell, Tracker, Robofooties, Skywalker Cup and X-Race test automation and drone racing capabilities.
Coding and innovation events such as 360 Codecraft, Cyberthon, Codesphere, Pixel Pioneer, Tech 4 SDG, Prompt Pulse and Game Genius encourage participants to develop digital solutions. Management competitions including Ad-Mania, Venture Verdict and The Bull Master focus on marketing and entrepreneurial strategy.
The programme also includes esports tournaments such as BGMI, Free Fire, Valorant and E-Football, as well as creative contests including The Turing Tune, Logo Legends, Cinetech, Animatrix, Reel It Real and Techtonic Art. Activities such as Mathemagic, Treasure Hunt, Quiz Crusade and Trash 2 Treasure aim to encourage analytical thinking and teamwork.
The festival is also marking International Women’s Day, highlighting the contribution of women in science and technology. Another feature of the programme is the IEM Excellence Awards, recognising contributions in academics, innovation, leadership and social impact.
