Researchers, academics, technology professionals, industry experts, students and innovators from around the world have gathered at the University of California, Berkeley, for IEEE IEMCON 2026, the 17th Annual Information Technology, Electronics, and Mobile Communication Conference, being organised by the IEM-UEM Group from Kolkata and Jaipur.
The three-day international conference, being held from September 30 to October 2, 2026, is a major international academic initiative of the Institute of Engineering & Management (IEM), Kolkata, and the University of Engineering & Management (UEM), Kolkata and Jaipur.
For the IEM–UEM Group, however, the Berkeley conference is about more than bringing researchers together. It is also an effort to connect Indian students and researchers more closely with the global research community. Through the conference, thousands of Indian researchers, students and faculty members are expected to benefit, directly and indirectly, from exposure to international research, emerging technologies, academic networks, keynote lectures, research collaborations and new ideas.
IEEE IEMCON 2026 brings researchers and professionals together to present their latest work and exchange ideas across rapidly evolving fields including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information Technology, Electronics, Mobile Communication, Cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Cloud Computing, Wireless Communication and Human–Device Interaction.
Taking Indian academia to global research platforms
Holding IEEE IEMCON 2026 at Berkeley reflects the IEM-UEM Group's continued efforts to build stronger connections between Indian students and researchers and the international academic and technology community.
For Indian researchers, the conference offers an opportunity to interact with scientists, professors, technology professionals and industry researchers from around the world, while gaining a closer understanding of research directions emerging from leading universities and technology organisations.
The knowledge and connections developed through the conference are also expected to find their way back into classrooms, laboratories, research groups and innovation initiatives in India. This, in turn, could extend the impact of the conference to thousands of students, researchers and faculty members.
14 technical sessions on emerging technologies
The three-day programme features 14 technical sessions covering a wide range of subjects, including Artificial Intelligence; 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.
The inaugural session on September 30 was formally opened by Prof. (Dr.) Rajashree Paul, Technical Co-Chair. Welcoming delegates to the conference, she emphasised the importance of international collaboration and technological innovation in addressing emerging global challenges.
The session was followed by addresses from members of the conference leadership: Prof. (Dr.) Son Vuong of the University of British Columbia, General Co-Chair; Dr. Mohammad-Reza Alam of the University of California, Berkeley, General Co-Chair; Prof. (Dr.) Phillip Bradford of the University of Connecticut, Technical Co-Chair; and Prof. (Dr.) Charles Rubenstein of Pratt Institute, USA, Financial Chair.
The speakers highlighted the growing role of interdisciplinary research, emerging technologies and international academic collaboration in advancing engineering and computing.
“Creating global opportunities for Indian students and researchers”
Commenting on the significance of the initiative, Prof. Satyajit Chakrabarti, Vice Chancellor of UEM Kolkata, said:
“One of the major objectives of the IEM–UEM Group is to create opportunities for Indian students, faculty members, and researchers to participate in the global knowledge and innovation ecosystem. By organising IEEE IEMCON at Berkeley, we are creating a bridge between our academic community in India and some of the world's leading researchers, universities, and technology organisations. The knowledge, collaborations, and international exposure generated through this conference can ultimately benefit thousands of Indian students, researchers, and faculty members. We want our young researchers not only to learn about the technologies shaping the future, but also to participate actively in creating that future.”
International experts headline the keynote programme
A major feature of IEEE IEMCON 2026 is its keynote programme, which brings together experts from leading universities and technology organisations.
On September 30, Thomas Kehler, CEO of CrowdSmart and former CEO of IntelliCorp and CEO Connect, delivered a keynote titled “Rebuilding the Artificial Neuron for a Distributed Intelligence Reasoning System.”
He was followed by Prof. Hamid Jafarkhani of the University of California, Irvine, who spoke on “UAV Wireless Communication and Sensing Networks.”
On October 1, Dr. Yan Liu of the University of Southern California is scheduled to speak on “Frontiers of Physics-Informed Foundational Models for Time Series.”
Anna Lisa Gentile, Senior Research Scientist at IBM, will deliver another keynote titled “From Conversation to Memory: Consolidating What Agents Learn About Us.”
The final day will feature Dr. Robert W. Heath Jr. of the University of California, San Diego, speaking on “The Tri-Hybrid MIMO Architecture for 6G.”
The keynote programme will conclude with Dr. Yuhong Liu of Santa Clara University, California, who will speak on “Trustworthy AI.”
Researchers from several countries contribute to the programme
The conference programme features research contributions from academics, students, researchers and professionals affiliated with universities, research institutions and technology companies across several countries.
The work being presented spans a broad range of areas, including large language models, machine learning, autonomous systems, AI-enabled healthcare, cybersecurity, blockchain, wireless networks, edge and cloud computing, multi-agent systems, consumer electronics, human–computer interaction and next-generation communication technologies.
The technical programme includes contributions from researchers associated with institutions and organisations such as the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, University of California campuses, Arizona State University, George Mason University, Marshall University, Trinity Western University, PayPal, NVIDIA, Roku and several other academic and industry organisations.
Researchers participating in the programme represent countries including the United States, India, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Germany, the Netherlands, Brazil, Pakistan and Taiwan, among others.
A selective international research platform
IEEE IEMCON 2026 has a paper acceptance rate of 34.6%, reflecting its selective peer-review process.
The conference concludes on October 2, 2026, following three days of technical presentations, keynote addresses, research discussions and opportunities for international academic and industry collaboration.
Through initiatives such as IEEE IEMCON, the IEM–UEM Group, with its institutions in Kolkata and Jaipur, aims to deepen international research engagement and give Indian students, researchers and faculty members greater access to developments in science, engineering and emerging technologies.
