The International Conference on Sustainable Micro Nano Material and Innovative Technology (ICSUMMIT) 2026 was one of the MNRDC’s first major international research events, held on February 13 and 14, 2026 at the Micro Nano Research & Development Center, Parul University, Vadodara. The MNRDC itself only began operational activities in September 2024 and was formally inaugurated in March 2025 making ICSUMMIT a significant marker of how rapidly the center established its international research positioning.
The conference was organised by the MNRDC under the broader research infrastructure of Parul University, a NAAC A++ institution with NIRF Top 50 Innovation ranking from the Ministry of Education, QS Diamond Rating (Gujarat’s first private university), and an active portfolio of externally funded projects with ISRO, CSIR, and the Royal Academy of Engineering UK.
Prof. S. Ravi P. Silva — Chief Guest Profile
Prof. S. Ravi P. Silva is one of the most distinguished scientists in nanoscience and nanotechnology globally. He holds the position of Distinguished Professor and serves as Interim Director of the Institute for Sustainability (IfS), Director of the Advanced Technology Institute (ATI), and Head of the NanoElectronics Centre at the University of Surrey, United Kingdom. His academic record is exceptional by any measure: over 680 journal papers, 700+ presentations at international conferences, more than 33,000 citations, an H index of 92, and 50 granted patents. His research has attracted £50 million in funding from UK Research Councils, industry, and international bodies.
In the 2021 Queen’s New Year Honours List, Prof. Silva was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to science and engineering one of the UK’s highest civilian honours. He has served as a strategic mentor and visiting expert for the MNRDC, contributing to the center’s international positioning and research strategy. His association with the center directly informed the MNRDC’s partnership with the University of Surrey, one of two international academic collaborations the center has formalised alongside Penza State University, Russia.
Conference Objectives — Why This Conference Matters
ICSUMMIT 2026 was structured around four primary objectives. The first was to share advanced research in micro nano science and technology creating a platform for researchers from India and abroad to present and discuss findings at the frontier of nanoscience. The second was to encourage collaboration between researchers, industry, and technical experts connecting academic innovation with industrial application in an area where India has significant but underutilised potential. The third was to promote eco friendly and sustainable technological solutions aligning with global priorities around clean energy, circular economy, and sustainable manufacturing. The fourth was to inspire future innovation and research in micro nano fields, particularly among early career researchers and doctoral students.
International Partner - Penza State University, Russia
Penza State University, Russia served as the official international academic partner for ICSUMMIT 2026. The MNRDC’s collaborative relationship with Penza State University extends beyond conference participation to joint research, one of two international university partnerships the center has formalised alongside the University of Surrey. The Russia partnership provides a research corridor into Eastern European materials science and engineering communities, broadening the geographic reach of the MNRDC’s collaborative network.
Publication Partnerships - International Research Dissemination
ICSUMMIT 2026 designated four publication channels, ensuring that research presented at the conference could reach international academic audiences through peer reviewed platforms.
Atlantis Press (Advances in Higher Education Research) is an open access publisher of engineering conference proceedings, providing immediate accessibility to presented research. Sadhanā a peer reviewed monthly journal published by the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Indian National Science Academy covers experimental and theoretical research in engineering sciences. Proceedings on Engineering Sciences is an open access multidisciplinary journal covering engineering research. Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies is a materials and engineering research journal covering manufacturing processes and material characterisation.
The combination of these four publication outlets ranging from open access conference proceedings to peer reviewed Q ranked journals reflects the MNRDC’s commitment to ensuring research visibility. The center’s own most significant publication, the NiFeP@Ni nanotube green hydrogen paper in Renewable Energy (Impact Factor 9.1, Q1, 2025), exemplifies the standard of research output the MNRDC is building toward.
MNRDC's International Reach — Knowledge Partner and Conference Circuit
ICSUMMIT 2026 is not the MNRDC’s only international engagement. The centre has served as official Knowledge Partner for international conferences held in the United Kingdom and Vietnam a recognition of its subject matter expertise that extends beyond India. This positioning is notable for a centre that began operations less than two years before these engagements were formalised.
The broader Parul University ecosystem provides additional international dimensions. The university’s PIERC innovation centre has facilitated three Shark Tank India appearances, and the university hosts the Global Perspective Series in partnership with IIMUN a series that has included Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi. The MNRDC’s international conference activity sits within this wider culture of global academic engagement.
Why This Conference Signals India's Nanotechnology Ambitions
India’s nanotechnology research ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with the Department of Science and Technology funding through the Nano Science and Technology Initiative and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s semiconductor mission positioning India as a future hub for nanoscale device manufacturing. The MNRDC at Parul University, with its government funded instrumentation, ISRO collaboration, international partnerships, and ICSUMMIT platform, is positioning itself as a regional anchor within this national effort.
Students interested in contributing to this research ecosystem can explore B.Tech Mechanical Engineering, B.Tech Electronics and Communication Engineering, and M.Sc Physics at Parul University, all programmes with direct connection to the MNRDC’s research infrastructure and training activities.
FAQ
What was ICSUMMIT 2026 and where was it held?
ICSUMMIT 2026 — the International Conference on Sustainable Micro-Nano Material and Innovative Technology — was held on February 13-14, 2026 at the Micro-Nano Research & Development Center (MNRDC), Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat. It was one of the MNRDC's first major international research events and featured research presentations, expert sessions, and international academic collaboration.
Who was the Chief Guest at ICSUMMIT 2026?
The Chief Guest at ICSUMMIT 2026 was Prof. S. Ravi P. Silva, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) and Head of the NanoElectronics Centre at the University of Surrey, UK. Prof. Silva holds an H-index of 92, has published 680+ journal papers, holds 50 patents, attracted £50 million in research funding, and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2021 Queen's New Year Honours.
What is the connection between Parul University MNRDC and the University of Surrey?
The MNRDC at Parul University has a collaborative academic partnership with the University of Surrey, UK. Prof. S. Ravi P. Silva from Surrey served as Chief Guest at ICSUMMIT 2026 and has provided strategic mentorship to the MNRDC, guiding the center's international research positioning. The University of Surrey is one of two international academic collaborations the MNRDC has formalised, alongside Penza State University, Russia.
