Human-Centred Design Workshop for Defence Professionals – IIT Kanpur 2025

IIT Kanpur to host India’s first Human-Centred Design workshop for defence professionals, fostering innovation and strategic defence design insights.

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) is making history by hosting India’s first-ever human-centred design workshop for defence professionals from September 16–17, 2025, at its Prabandhan Boardroom and Convention & Exhibition Centre (PBCEC). This groundbreaking event aims to strengthen the integration of Human-Centred Design (HCD) principles into India’s defence innovation ecosystem, creating a robust framework for strategic advancements in military technology.

Organised under the aegis of the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-COE) and the Department of Design at IIT Kanpur, this initiative represents a structured, national-level effort to embed user-centric methodologies into defence innovation. The workshop will facilitate a knowledge exchange between defence personnel, industry leaders, and academic experts to identify current challenges, explore emerging opportunities, and formulate a roadmap for establishing a dedicated HCD vertical at DIA-COE, IIT Kanpur.

Pioneering a New Era of Defence Innovation

The strategic workshop is designed to provide participants with hands-on experience in integrating HCD principles in Indian defence projects. Attendees will engage in interactive sessions and collaborative discussions aimed at enhancing operational effectiveness, improving user experience for defence personnel, and fostering an innovation-driven culture within the defence sector.

By focusing on defence innovation through user-centric design, the workshop underscores the importance of placing human needs at the core of military technology development. Experts anticipate that this approach will improve system usability, operational efficiency, and overall mission success across the Indian Armed Forces.

Distinguished Participation

The workshop will host a distinguished lineup of speakers and thought leaders, including:

• Shri L.C. Mangal, Distinguished Scientist & Director General (Technology Management), DRDO
• Dr. N. Ranjana, Director, Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management (DFTM), DRDO
• Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean, Research and Development, IIT Kanpur
• Mr. Sanjay Tandon, Director, DIA-COE, IIT Kanpur
• Prof. Satyaki Roy, Head, Department of Design, IIT Kanpur
• Dr. Vivek Kant, Associate Professor, Department of Design, IIT Kanpur (Workshop Host)

These eminent personalities will provide strategic guidance, ensuring that discussions are aligned with both academic insights and operational needs. Their involvement highlights the growing synergy between industry, defence, and academia in shaping India’s technological future.

Key Workshop Objectives

1. Strategic Roadmap Creation – Establishing a dedicated Human-Centred Design vertical at DIA-COE, IIT Kanpur.
2. Knowledge Exchange – Bridging the gap between defence personnel, industry experts, and academic researchers.
3. Hands-on Design Challenges – Exploring practical applications of HCD in defence projects.
4. Innovative Thinking – Encouraging participants to develop user-centric solutions for complex operational challenges.
5. Capacity Building – Enhancing skills in human-centred design methods to improve defence technology outcomes.

Expert Insights on Human-Centred Design in Defence

According to Dr. Vivek Kant, “Integrating human-centred design into defence innovation is crucial for developing solutions that are operationally effective and user-friendly. This workshop will set a benchmark for future defence projects in India.”

Industry leaders have echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that strategic HCD initiatives in Indian military programs can enhance collaboration, improve design efficiency, and promote innovation at scale. Experts argue that incorporating user-centric methodologies is no longer optional but essential for modern defence planning and implementation.

Importance for Emerging Defence Professionals

For defence personnel and young researchers, attending this IIT Kanpur defence design workshop insights event provides invaluable exposure to cutting-edge design strategies. Participants will gain a nuanced understanding of how HCD principles can transform conventional defence technology into solutions that are intuitive, efficient, and aligned with user requirements.

Furthermore, the workshop offers opportunities to network with eminent scientists, academicians, and industry leaders, fostering collaboration across multiple disciplines. This approach ensures that innovative HCD practices can be effectively adopted across various defence projects nationwide.

Enriching India’s Defence Ecosystem

By focusing on integrating HCD principles in Indian defence, the workshop demonstrates IIT Kanpur’s commitment to innovation-driven education and research. It is expected to act as a catalyst for future defence projects, inspiring similar initiatives at other institutions.

Participants will engage in scenario-based exercises, simulations, and interactive discussions, providing practical insights into designing defence systems that are both strategically effective and user-centric. This hands-on approach is essential to translating theoretical HCD concepts into operational success stories.

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Internal and External Resource Integration

For attendees and enthusiasts looking to explore related educational content:

• NCERT Courses & Study Material: Explore Courses
• Current Affairs Updates: Latest Current Affairs
• Notes and Study Guides: Download Notes
• MCQs for Practice: Practice MCQs
• Video Resources: Watch Videos
• Syllabus Information: Check Syllabus
• Free NCERT PDFs & Mind Maps: Download PDFs & Mind Maps

Additionally, industry stakeholders can reach out to authoritative contacts for school collaborations and defence-related projects via Mart India Infotech.

Expected Impact of the Workshop

Experts predict that the human-centred design workshop for defence professionals will have a transformative impact on India’s defence R&D landscape. By fostering collaboration, promoting user-focused innovation, and creating a roadmap for HCD integration, this initiative is set to redefine how defence systems are conceptualized, designed, and implemented.

Key expected outcomes include:

• Streamlined design processes with enhanced usability
• Improved operational effectiveness for defence personnel
• Accelerated innovation through collaboration between academia, industry, and defence
• Establishment of India as a leader in user-centric defence design methodologies

FAQs: Human-Centred Design Workshop at IIT Kanpur

1. What is the main objective of the human-centred design workshop at IIT Kanpur?
   To integrate HCD principles into India’s defence innovation ecosystem.
2. When and where is the workshop being held?
   September 16–17, 2025, at Prabandhan Boardroom and Convention & Exhibition Centre, IIT Kanpur.
3. Who are the key speakers at the workshop?
   Shri L.C. Mangal, Dr. N. Ranjana, Prof. Tarun Gupta, Mr. Sanjay Tandon, Prof. Satyaki Roy, and Dr. Vivek Kant.
4. Why is human-centred design important for defence innovation?
   It ensures defence solutions are user-friendly, operationally effective, and strategically sound.
5. How will this workshop benefit young defence professionals?
   It provides exposure to cutting-edge design strategies, networking, and hands-on HCD application.
6. What are the key focus areas of the workshop?
   Strategic roadmap creation, knowledge exchange, hands-on design challenges, innovative thinking, and capacity building.
7. Can participants access educational resources related to HCD?
   Yes, through NCERT courses, notes, MCQs, videos, and free PDFs.
8. How does IIT Kanpur collaborate with DRDO in this workshop?
   Through the DIA-COE platform and strategic guidance from DRDO leadership.
9. Will this workshop influence India’s future defence projects?
   Yes, it sets a benchmark for integrating user-centric methodologies in defence design.
10. Where can one find authoritative contacts for industry collaborations?
    Mart India Infotech provides contacts for schools and defence-related projects.