From vision to vanguard: How Dr. Prakash Duraisamy's ICCCNT became Asia's largest STEM conference

From its earliest days, he championed a model where the quality of knowledge-sharing trumped hierarchy, giving space to both PhD students and established professors, industry leaders and policy architects.

“Research should not be locked in ivory towers—it should speak to the world, solve real problems, and inspire new ones,” he has often said. Under his guidance, ICCCNT became that very conduit—bridging domains, geographies, and generations.

From a Seed to a Global Institution

The journey of ICCCNT has been marked by strategic evolution:

• 2008–2013: Founded with IEEE backing, it quickly became a recognized venue for original research in communication and networking technologies.
• 2014–2018: Expanded its thematic bandwidth—embracing AI, cybersecurity, IoT, and embedded systems. Participation began growing beyond Asia.
• 2019–2022: Pivoted to hybrid formats during the pandemic—surging international visibility and inclusivity.
• 2023–2025: Breakout years. ICCCNT introduced hands-on workshops, live tech demos, and industry-research labs, transforming from a paper-centric event to a tech innovation ecosystem.

The 2025 edition, held over six days, featured:

• 10,000+ submissions from 99 countries
• 700+ peer-reviewed paper presentations
• 15+ international workshops and panel discussions
• A record number of startup showcases and student innovation challenges

This remarkable scale has not diluted quality—thanks to a double-blind review system, global editorial boards, and an expanding pool of domain mentors cultivated by Dr. Duraisamy himself.

A Platform Where Ideas Walk Off the Stage

What makes ICCCNT exceptional is that it doesn't end when the conference does. Over the years, it has birthed:

• Patentable innovations in autonomous robotics and AI ethics frameworks
• Policy whitepapers on drone regulations and smart infrastructure
• Startups seeded from conference prototypes
• Cross-continental research partnerships now spanning universities from India to Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia

And this success is grounded in community-first leadership. Dr. Duraisamy has been known to personally mentor young scholars, review paper abstracts, and even facilitate research fellowships for first-time presenters.

Looking Ahead: A Global Braintrust in the Making

ICCCNT is now being looked at as more than just an event—it’s a research institution without walls. Discussions are underway to transform it into a global fellowship and year-round innovation network, with dedicated forums for AI policy, climate tech, and health-tech ecosystems.

As Dr. Duraisamy said in his 2025 closing remarks: “We are not just building a conference. We are building a global research society committed to solving humanity’s hardest problems with the sharpest minds.”

Conclusion: Legacy Beyond the Lectern

In a noisy world of innovation theatre, Dr. Prakash Duraisamy’s ICCCNT stands tall—quietly, consistently, and profoundly impactful. It is an example of what can happen when vision meets rigor, when academia meets action, and when leadership is anchored in purpose.

As the world searches for blueprints to scale meaningful scientific dialogue, ICCCNT may just be India’s finest export in academic diplomacy—and its boldest bet on the future of collaborative intelligence.

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