Conference On Inclusivity At KIITS University Discusses Equitable Education Policy Frameworks

BHUBANESWAR: The second day of the International Conference on Building Bridges for Inclusivity (ICBBI 2026) across multiple venues at the KIIT University, Bhubaneswar saw experts deliberating upon equitable education policy frameworks in India and universal design for learning among other pressing issues.

In the main Auditorium, Dr. R. Shilpa Manogna of NCERT, Delhi outlined national initiatives in inclusive education, followed by Dr. Keith Perera of the University of Sussex exploring the opportunities and challenges of EdTech for inclusive practice.

Dr. Varsha Gathoo addressed Universal Design for Learning, while Ms. Ira Singhal (IAS) spoke on the need for inclusion and the way forward. Prof. Vinay Kumar Singh delivered a keynote on equitable education policy frameworks in India. The morning concluded with a session on the NIEPID GLAIS diagnostic tool for Specific Learning Disabilities.

Dr. Ravi Prakash Singh presented on inclusivity through the Indian Knowledge System, while Dr. Venkat Raman Prusty of AIIMS Bhubaneswar discussed assistive devices for students with speech-language disabilities.

Ms. Mugdha Kalra made a compelling case for designing lifelong ecosystems for neurodivergent adults.

Dr. Renu Malviya deliberated on inclusive pedagogy and teacher preparation, while Dr. Rahul Ganguly spoke about reimagining asset-based pathways for higher education transformation. Sunita Devi threw light on NIEPID’s rehabilitation research initiatives.

A panel discussion with Rahul Bajaj, Bratati Harichandan (IAS), Swagatika Samantaray, and Sujata Mullick deliberated upon building inclusive workplaces and meaningful engagement of persons with disabilities.

Around 700 participants attended the international conference including RCI Professionals, Non RCI Professionals, Regular school teachers and other professionals working in the field of Rehabilitation. Eighty-one oral research papers and 42 posters were presented.

Dr. B. V. Ram Kumar, Director of NIEPID, addressed the participants. The event concluded with the prize distribution for best oral paper presentation and best poster presentation.