The University of Moratuwa is setting the stage for its flagship international design event, the Integrated Design Research 2026 International Conference, scheduled to take place from October 21 to October 24, at the University premises. Held under the theme “The Creative Wave: Imagination, Adaptation and Change,” this year’s event brings together emerging student designers, local creatives, academic heavyweights and industry leaders from Sri Lanka and overseas to explore how design intelligence adapts to modern challenges, ranging from artificial intelligence to circular economies and traditional craft.

Running alongside the Department of Integrated Design’s annual Undergraduate and Graduation Exhibition, the four day platform serves as a massive showcase of cross disciplinary innovation. The event kicks off on October 21 with the official opening of the Designer Gallery Exhibition, followed by the highly anticipated Space Conclave at 6PM featuring a keynote presentation by renowned Sri Lankan Architect Channa Daswatte on contemporary architecture and spatial design.

The official conference inauguration begins on October 22 with global vision addresses and keynote speeches, followed by rigorous academic paper presentations and scientific sessions exploring design pedagogy, society and culture. Visitors and industry partners can also experience the Product Pavilion, graduate galleries, and Fashion and Media and Communication Exhibition galleries.

Day 3 also opens its doors wider to the community with specialized Creative Thinker Workshops tailored for school students and external participants and will also hold the spectacular Fashion Alley Show starting at 6:30PM spotlighting innovative student designs and lifestyle trends. The final day will witness the “Stitches that Speak” knitting workshop and the Packaging Boulevard as well as the official closing ceremony in the afternoon.

Organized by the Department of Integrated Design of the Faculty of Architecture, IDR 2026 emphasizes the critical link between education and real-world industrial practice and aims to position Sri Lanka as a growing regional voice for design innovation.

The exhibition areas are open for general public and industry viewing from 9PM to 5PM between October 22 and 24, with preview access starting on the afternoon of October 21. For more information and full schedules, interested parties can visit the official IDR 2026 Portal at idresearch.uom.lk. (Eduwire)