THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
MAY 2, 2026
The two-day International Conference
on Building Bridges for Inclusivity (ICBBI 2026) commenced at KIIT
International School on Saturday, bringing together global experts, educators,
policymakers, and practitioners to deliberate on strengthening inclusive
systems in education and employment.
Organised jointly by the National
Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
(NIEPID), Secunderabad, and KIIT International School under its Special
Education Needs (SEN) Globe initiative, the conference is being held in
collaboration with the University of Sussex, UK. It is supported by the
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Government of
India, and the SSEPD Department, Government of Odisha.
Addressing the inaugural session,
Prof. Thompson, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sussex,
emphasised that inclusive education must transcend policy frameworks. “It
cannot remain merely a statement of intent; it has to be reflected in everyday
practice,” he said, adding that sustained, trust-based collaboration is
essential for achieving meaningful inclusivity. He further underlined that
inclusive education must remain adaptable and responsive to change.
Rajni Jani, Special Secretary,
Government of Odisha, highlighted the state's progressive initiatives in the
field of special education. Sharing her experiences, she noted that even the
smallest gestures can make a profound difference in the lives of persons with
special needs. She stressed that compassion, patience, and a commitment to
bridging gaps are fundamental to realising true inclusivity.
Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT
and KISS, described the conference as “the need of the hour” and reiterated the
institution’s unwavering commitment to inclusive education. He said that KIIT
International School is the only institution in the country to have championed
the cause of inclusivity through its SEN Globe initiative, which provides
quality education to children with special needs. Its success, he noted, has
been driven by a deeply human-centric approach.
The inaugural ceremony also witnessed
the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between NIEPID and KIIT-IS
SEN Globe aimed at uplifting underprivileged children with intellectual
disabilities. On the occasion, the conference proceedings were also released,
marking a significant step towards fostering institutional collaboration and
advancing inclusive practices.
The opening ceremony featured an
invocation and a welcome address by KIIT International School Chairperson Dr.
Mona Lisa Bal. She said, “KIIT-IS SEN Globe stands as a reflection of this very
idea — building bridges between difference and understanding, between exclusion
and belonging, and between potential and opportunity. Because when we build the
right bridges, every child finds their way across.”
Among others, KIIT President Saswati Bal, NIEPID Director Dr. B.V. Ram Kumar, and SVNIRTAR Director Dr. P.P. Mohanty were present on the occasion. Dr. Sravan Reddy proposed the vote of thanks.
The conference, being held in hybrid mode from May 2 to 3, aims to promote evidence-based dialogue, interdisciplinary collaboration, and policy innovation. Key themes include Universal Design for Learning, neurodiversity, inclusive classroom practices, assistive technologies, school-to-work transitions, and inclusive assessment strategies.
