IIT Guwahati hosts Executive Development Programme on Design Thinking in Bengaluru

IIT Guwahati’s Design Dept hosts a 3‑day EDP in Bengaluru with 78 executives, focusing on design thinking, AI, innovation, and an IISc lab visit

Bengaluru is set to witness a major initiative in corporate learning as the Department of Design, IIT Guwahati, conducts an Executive Development Programme (EDP) on Design Thinking for Competitive Advantage from January 17 to 19, 2026, at Glentree Academy, Whitefield.

The programme brings together 78 senior executives from leading organizations in the Electronics and Information Technology sectors. Designed under a MeitY‑sponsored project, the EDP aims to equip industry leaders with strategies rooted in design thinking to enhance competitiveness in today’s dynamic business environment.

The inauguration will be led by prominent figures including Harish Gudi, CIO of Optum India; Prof. Pratul C. Kalita, Head of the Department of Design at IIT Guwahati; Dr. Soumen Das, alumnus of IIT Guwahati and IIM Lucknow; and Vittal Bhandary, Managing Director of Glentree Academy. Their presence underscores the collaborative spirit between academia, industry, and educational institutions in fostering innovation.

Over three days, participants will engage in sessions covering a wide spectrum of topics: design thinking frameworks and methods, creativity and innovation, organizational transformation, digital product design, human‑computer interaction, user‑centric experience design, and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping digital products. The discussions will also address opportunities and challenges posed by AI in the corporate sector.

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Technical sessions will be conducted by faculty members from IIT Guwahati’s Department of Design, including Prof. Kalita, Prof. Ravi Mokashi Punekar, Prof. Debayan Dhar, and Prof. Supradip Das. Distinguished industry experts such as Narendra Ghate, Senior Vice President and Head of Design at HDFC Bank, and Anil Kumar Singh from Havells Bengaluru will share practical insights. A special session on the future of digital product design with emerging technologies will be led by Prof. L. Umanand and his team from IISc Bangalore.

The programme structure emphasizes building a strong conceptual foundation, illustrating global and national case studies, and engaging participants in collaborative group tasks. On January 18, executives will showcase their innovative concepts and ideas in an exhibition, while January 19 will feature a laboratory visit at IISc Bangalore, offering exposure to cutting‑edge research facilities.

The initiative has received strong support from Glentree Academy, with Vittal Bhandary and Rachana Heda ensuring effective management and coordination. By fostering dialogue between academia and industry, the EDP is expected to make a significant contribution to human capital development in the electronics and IT sectors, reinforcing Bengaluru’s role as a hub for innovation and leadership.

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