Proceedings of the 18th National IQAC Conference (ICon 2026)
18th National IQAC Conference (ICon 2026)
📍Bengaluru, India🗓️ 24-25 April 2026
Conference: Reimagining Quality Assurance in Higher Education: Technology, Inclusion and Outcome-Based Innovation (Icon 2026)
Date: 24–25 April 2026
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka (Hybrid)
Website: https://www.kristujayanti.edu.in/iqac/ICon-2026.php It gives us immense pleasure to present the Proceedings of the 18th ICON Conference, a scholarly compilation that reflects the spirit of innovation, quality, inclusivity, and sustainability in contemporary higher education. The papers featured in this volume represent diverse yet interconnected perspectives that collectively address the evolving landscape of teaching, learning, research, governance, and institutional transformation in the digital era. The contributions explore a wide spectrum of contemporary themes including digital wellness, digital citizenship, Outcome-Based Education (OBE), artificial intelligence, digital transformation, e-governance, quality assurance, sustainability, inclusive education, interdisciplinary learning, teacher professional development, environmental education, leadership, entrepreneurship, and educational innovation. Together, these studies demonstrate how higher education institutions are responding to emerging global challenges while aligning with national educational priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Several papers examine the transformative role of digital technologies in higher education, highlighting both their opportunities and challenges. They address critical issues such as technostress, digital well-being, AI-assisted learning, adaptive education, digital documentation, cybersecurity awareness, and analytics-driven teaching practices. These studies emphasize the importance of developing human-centered, ethical, and sustainable digital ecosystems that enhance learning while safeguarding the well-being of students and faculty. A significant focus of this volume is Outcome-Based Education and quality assurance. The research presented demonstrates how OBE frameworks, learner-centered pedagogies, contextual assessment models, and data-driven quality systems contribute to improved learning outcomes, employability, institutional effectiveness, and continuous academic excellence. Innovative frameworks such as the DT-LCA Model, Contextual Outcome Mapping (COM), the A.R.E.A. Framework, and Micro-to-Macro Impact Model provide practical pathways for strengthening quality assurance in higher education. The proceedings also underscore the growing importance of inclusivity and equity in education. Contributions on gender-sensitive STEM education, inclusive digital universities, implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, accessible learning environments, and equitable quality assurance reaffirm the commitment of higher education institutions to ensuring that no learner is left behind. These studies advocate for accessible infrastructure, inclusive curricula, assistive technologies, and learner-centered educational practices that promote social justice and equal opportunities. Another important dimension reflected in this volume is sustainability and interdisciplinary learning. Papers explore green finance, environmental education through gamification, sustainability-oriented mathematics education, literary representations of rivers and ecological consciousness, biopreneurship, and interdisciplinary commerce education. Collectively, they demonstrate how higher education can cultivate responsible global citizens equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values required for sustainable development. Leadership, institutional governance, and organizational well-being also emerge as significant themes. Research on servant leadership, faculty well-being, R&D business models, and e-governance highlights the importance of ethical leadership, innovation, collaboration, and effective institutional management in building resilient and future-ready educational institutions. Taken together, the studies in this volume provide valuable theoretical insights, empirical evidence, practical frameworks, and policy recommendations for educators, researchers, administrators, policymakers, and industry practitioners. They illustrate how technological advancement, pedagogical innovation, inclusive practices, and sustainability can converge to transform higher education into a more responsive, equitable, and impactful enterprise. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the authors for their scholarly contributions, the reviewers for their meticulous evaluations, the session chairs and advisory members for their academic guidance, and the organizing committee for their unwavering commitment to the successful conduct of the 18th ICON Conference. We also express our sincere gratitude to the Management of Kristu Jayanti University, the Honourable Vice Chancellor, Pro Vice Chancellor, Registrar, the IQAC leadership, and all faculty members, staff, and volunteers whose collective efforts made this conference and its proceedings possible. It is our earnest hope that this volume will serve as a valuable resource for advancing research, inspiring innovation, informing policy, and promoting excellence in higher education. May these proceedings stimulate meaningful dialogue, interdisciplinary collaboration, and transformative practices that contribute to building inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready educational ecosystems.
Date: 24–25 April 2026
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka (Hybrid)
Website: https://www.kristujayanti.edu.in/iqac/ICon-2026.php It gives us immense pleasure to present the Proceedings of the 18th ICON Conference, a scholarly compilation that reflects the spirit of innovation, quality, inclusivity, and sustainability in contemporary higher education. The papers featured in this volume represent diverse yet interconnected perspectives that collectively address the evolving landscape of teaching, learning, research, governance, and institutional transformation in the digital era. The contributions explore a wide spectrum of contemporary themes including digital wellness, digital citizenship, Outcome-Based Education (OBE), artificial intelligence, digital transformation, e-governance, quality assurance, sustainability, inclusive education, interdisciplinary learning, teacher professional development, environmental education, leadership, entrepreneurship, and educational innovation. Together, these studies demonstrate how higher education institutions are responding to emerging global challenges while aligning with national educational priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Several papers examine the transformative role of digital technologies in higher education, highlighting both their opportunities and challenges. They address critical issues such as technostress, digital well-being, AI-assisted learning, adaptive education, digital documentation, cybersecurity awareness, and analytics-driven teaching practices. These studies emphasize the importance of developing human-centered, ethical, and sustainable digital ecosystems that enhance learning while safeguarding the well-being of students and faculty. A significant focus of this volume is Outcome-Based Education and quality assurance. The research presented demonstrates how OBE frameworks, learner-centered pedagogies, contextual assessment models, and data-driven quality systems contribute to improved learning outcomes, employability, institutional effectiveness, and continuous academic excellence. Innovative frameworks such as the DT-LCA Model, Contextual Outcome Mapping (COM), the A.R.E.A. Framework, and Micro-to-Macro Impact Model provide practical pathways for strengthening quality assurance in higher education. The proceedings also underscore the growing importance of inclusivity and equity in education. Contributions on gender-sensitive STEM education, inclusive digital universities, implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, accessible learning environments, and equitable quality assurance reaffirm the commitment of higher education institutions to ensuring that no learner is left behind. These studies advocate for accessible infrastructure, inclusive curricula, assistive technologies, and learner-centered educational practices that promote social justice and equal opportunities. Another important dimension reflected in this volume is sustainability and interdisciplinary learning. Papers explore green finance, environmental education through gamification, sustainability-oriented mathematics education, literary representations of rivers and ecological consciousness, biopreneurship, and interdisciplinary commerce education. Collectively, they demonstrate how higher education can cultivate responsible global citizens equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values required for sustainable development. Leadership, institutional governance, and organizational well-being also emerge as significant themes. Research on servant leadership, faculty well-being, R&D business models, and e-governance highlights the importance of ethical leadership, innovation, collaboration, and effective institutional management in building resilient and future-ready educational institutions. Taken together, the studies in this volume provide valuable theoretical insights, empirical evidence, practical frameworks, and policy recommendations for educators, researchers, administrators, policymakers, and industry practitioners. They illustrate how technological advancement, pedagogical innovation, inclusive practices, and sustainability can converge to transform higher education into a more responsive, equitable, and impactful enterprise. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the authors for their scholarly contributions, the reviewers for their meticulous evaluations, the session chairs and advisory members for their academic guidance, and the organizing committee for their unwavering commitment to the successful conduct of the 18th ICON Conference. We also express our sincere gratitude to the Management of Kristu Jayanti University, the Honourable Vice Chancellor, Pro Vice Chancellor, Registrar, the IQAC leadership, and all faculty members, staff, and volunteers whose collective efforts made this conference and its proceedings possible. It is our earnest hope that this volume will serve as a valuable resource for advancing research, inspiring innovation, informing policy, and promoting excellence in higher education. May these proceedings stimulate meaningful dialogue, interdisciplinary collaboration, and transformative practices that contribute to building inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready educational ecosystems.