Global Experts Converge at Royal Global University for 1st International Conference on Smart Systems and Social Management

EduNe Bureau

Guwahati: The Assam Royal Global University (RGU) successfully hosted the 1st International Conference on Smart Systems and Social Management (ICSSSM 2025) from November 6 to 8, 2025. The three-day event, organised in collaboration with Springer Nature and GR Foundation, India, brought together global researchers, academicians, and industry experts to deliberate on how technology can serve as a catalyst for inclusive social transformation.

Supported by sponsors Drillbit, 2CQR, and Libkart, and with institutional collaboration from Arya Vidyapeeth College, Paschim Guwahati Mahavidyalaya, and Morigaon College, the conference featured seven thematic research tracks and a total of 122 paper presentations in hybrid mode. Participants represented countries such as the USA, UK, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Morocco, and Croatia.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by eminent personalities including keynote speaker Prof. Anupam Basu, Raja Ramanna Chair Professor, Jadavpur University; Dr. Nabi Hasan, Central Librarian, IIT Delhi; Prof. A.K. Buragohain, Vice-Chancellor, RGU; Dr. Lila Kanta Borthakur, Principal, Morigaon College; Dr. Manisha Bhattacharyya, Principal, Paschim Guwahati Mahavidyalaya; and Prof. Shiela Bora, Advisor, RGU, among others.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Basu reflected on the evolving relationship between technology and empathy, questioning whether modern cities are becoming “empathetically smart.” He traced the development of cybernetics since the 1960s and warned against cultural erosion caused by unbridled digital dependence.

Dr. Amit Joshi, Director, GR Foundation, emphasised the importance of developing technologies for “India-3”—the country’s underserved segments—to ensure that innovation remains inclusive. Prof. A.K. Buragohain, in his address, spoke of the looming threat of “intellectual darkness” in the age of artificial intelligence, urging caution against over-reliance on machines.

The plenary sessions featured distinguished participants such as Prof. Bhagirathi Panda, Honorary Director, ICSSR (NE Region); Prof. Mukut Sarmah, Assam University; Sri Aranyak Saikia, IAS, Staff Officer to the Chief Secretary of Assam; Dr. Uzzal Sharma, Birangana Sati Sadhini Rajyik Vishwavidyalaya; and Dr. Utpal Barman, Assam Skill University.

Technical sessions were chaired by leading academicians including Prof. Rajib Handique (Gauhati University), Prof. Jeanne Coetzer (Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa), Dr. Priya Rai (National Law University, Delhi), Prof. Yahya Fikri (Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Morocco), and several others.

Conference Convener Dr. Hirak Jyoti Hazarika stated that ICSSSM 2025 sought to explore how emerging technologies can foster societal progress and bridge social divides. Joint Convener Dr. Stuti Goswami expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming participation, adding that all accepted and presented papers will be published in the Advances in Intelligent Systems Research series by Atlantis Press, Springer Nature, in open-access format—ensuring global reach and visibility of the research outcomes.