- Villa College hosted its International Conference on Social Research and Innovation 2026 at the QI Campus Hall from 8 to 9 August, themed 'Tides of Transformation: Shaping Sustainable Futures.'
- The conference drew 138 participants and accepted 81 of 116 submitted abstracts, featuring three keynotes, four panel discussions and eight Impact Room sessions across eight research tracks.
- Economic Development Minister Mohamed Saeed inaugurated the event, which also launched Volume 9, Issue 2 of Villa College's International Journal of Social Research and Innovation.
Villa College has brought together researchers, policymakers and industry representatives for its International Conference on Social Research and Innovation 2026, with discussions focused on turning research into practical responses to social, economic and environmental challenges.
Held at the Villa College QI Campus Hall from 8 to 9 August, this year’s conference carries the theme, “Tides of Transformation: Shaping Sustainable Futures.” The programme includes keynote addresses, panel discussions and sessions intended to connect academic research with public policy and industry practice.
Conference Chair and Villa College Deputy Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, Dr Mohamed Adil, said 116 abstracts were submitted for the conference, of which 81 were accepted. The conference has also received 25 full papers and registered 138 participants from academia, government and industry.
“The primary objective of this conference is to forge strong connections between researchers, lecturers, students, and industry experts, providing a broad platform to discuss new ideas and innovative approaches within the fields of social science and development,” Dr Adil stated.
Villa College Rector Dr Ahmed Anwar said the level of participation and international representation reflected the conference’s increasing relevance within research and higher education communities.
“The number of participants and countries represented in this conference demonstrates that the value of ICSRI is continuously rising within the higher education and research communities, both locally and internationally. Our goal should be to utilise this conference to ensure that the research we conduct creates a positive impact and brings tangible benefits to society,” said Dr Anwar.
Economic Development, Transport and Trade Minister Mohamed Saeed, who inaugurated the conference, said the theme was timely as governments and institutions look for development models that are economically resilient, socially inclusive and environmentally responsible.
The opening ceremony also saw the launch of Volume 9, Issue 2 of Villa College’s International Journal of Social Research and Innovation.
The conference programme includes three keynote speeches, four panel discussions and eight Impact Room sessions. The Impact Room format is intended to facilitate discussion between researchers, policymakers and industry experts, with an emphasis on developing practical policy ideas.
Research presentations are organised across eight tracks, covering areas including equitable workforces, health systems, digital learning, social inclusion, ethical technology, mobility, renewable energy, public policy and legal systems.
Keynote speakers include Minister of State for Education, Higher Education and Skills Development Dr Ahmed Mohamed, Pabna University of Science and Technology Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Md Nazrul Islam, and University of Oulu Associate Professor Siamak Seyfi.
The conference is supported by 21 partners, journals and endorsing organisations. It will conclude on the evening of 9 August with awards for the best paper and best paper presentation.
