Bhubaneswar: Centurion University of Technology and Management successfully concluded the International Conference on Sustainability and Cultural Heritage in Digital Construction (SuCHID 2026), a landmark four‑day summit held from 28 September to 1 October.
Organised in collaboration with IIT Bhubaneswar, NIT Rourkela, NIT Karnataka Suratkal, the University of Western Australia and Griffith University, the event brought together more than 250 experts from across India, the US, UK, Germany, South Africa and Singapore.
Operating under the theme “Reviving the past, reimagining our future…”, SuCHID 2026 explored how cutting‑edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Digital Twins, Heritage Building Information Modelling (HBIM) and 3D printing can safeguard cultural heritage while driving sustainable urban development.
Chief Guest Shri Sundara Madhaba Padhi, IAS, COO of the Odisha Maritime Board and GM of OTDC, underscored the urgency of integrating modern digital tools with heritage preservation. “India has a vibrant cultural legacy. In the era of rapid industrialisation, we must balance growth with preservation through technologies like 3D laser scanning, BIM and AI,” he said.
Centurion University Vice Chancellor Prof Supriya Pattanayak emphasised the broader academic and societal impact: “SuCHID 2026 will stimulate intellectual exchanges, encourage new perspectives and contribute to education, research, innovation and sustainable development.”
Key Technical Frontiers
- Digital Heritage & Documentation: UAV‑based photogrammetry and BIM for rural and underground infrastructure.
- Next‑Gen Eco‑Materials: Low‑carbon concrete, geopolymers and advanced 3D printing technologies.
- Resilience & AI Integration: AI‑driven Digital Twins and smart structural health monitoring.
- Climate & Disaster Readiness: Strategies for drought resilience, water sustainability and disaster‑safe infrastructure.
Led by Centurion University’s leadership team, including President Prof Mukti Kanta Mishra, Pro‑Vice Chancellors Dr Ajay Kumar Nayak and Prof Biswajit Mishra, and senior academics from IIT Hyderabad and IBC Odisha, the summit established a dynamic platform for joint research, funded projects and policy frameworks.
SuCHID 2026 marked a significant step in aligning technological innovation with cultural responsibility, ensuring that progress in civil engineering and construction remains deeply rooted in heritage and sustainability.