The central theme, “Similitude,” focuses on the role of similarity and relational structures in meaning-making, offering new perspectives within semiotic discourse. The conference will include keynote lectures, paper presentations, and panel discussions, creating a platform for interdisciplinary exchange across Asian contexts.

The conference will feature eminent keynote speakers, including Prof. Hidetaka Ishida, a leading Japanese semiotician and media theorist and Prof. Massimo Leone, Professor of Philosophy of Communication and Cultural Semiotics at the University of Turin, Italy.

Speaking on the announcement, Prof. Pratyush Shankar, Provost, Navrachana University, said,“Hosting ACS 2026 reflects Navrachana University’s commitment to advancing critical discourse in semiotics and related fields. The conference will foster meaningful academic exchange and contribute to a deeper understanding of how meaning is shaped across cultures in an increasingly interconnected and technologically evolving world.”

Echoing this perspective on the conference’s academic and contextual relevance, Dr. Seema Khanwalkar, Vice President, Asian Semiotics International Association, added, “Bringing the Asian Congress of Semiotics to the School of Environmental Design and Architecture (SEDA), Navrachana University, reflects a strong alignment with its interdisciplinary approach to design and inquiry. Situated in Vadodara, a city with a rich cultural and intellectual legacy, the conference finds a meaningful and fitting context.”

Building on these discussions, the Asian Congress of Semiotics (ACS 2026) invites scholars, researchers, and practitioners to submit abstracts for presentation. The deadline for abstract submission is 21 May 2026. The call for submissions is structured across three key tracks:

1. Similes in Visual Textuality: Aligning thinking and making in Art, Design, and New Technology 

2. Similes in Urban Semiosphere: The City, Cultural Landscapes, and Public Places 

3. Similes in Temporal Translations: Architecture, Objects, and the Permanence of the Ephemeral 

Selected papers are expected to be considered for publication in a Scopus-indexed volume.

The Asian Congress of Semiotics (ACS 2026) will bring together scholars and practitioners in semiotics, communication, design, and cultural studies to engage with emerging ideas and contribute to ongoing academic discourse across Asian and global contexts.

For more details, visit: https://www.acs2026india.com/

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Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], March 18: Navrachana University, in collaboration with Heritage Trust, hosted an illustrated lecture titled “Mapping the World from Gujarat” by Dr. Samira Sheikh. The event marked the first edition of the Parekh Lecture Series at Navrachana University and was also presented as a Viraasat Lecture by the Heritage Trust.

Smt. Tejal Amin, Chairperson of Navrachana Education Society and member of the Board of Management, Navrachana University, said, “Such lectures are very important for the city and society, as they bring in different disciplinary perspectives from history, arts, urban studies, and geography, at one place. I am very glad that Navrachana University, as part of the Parekh Lecture Series, has hosted this important lecture, and once again, I am very grateful to Lord Bhikhu Bhai Parekh for a generous book donation. I am sure Navrachana University will attract a lot of scholars who would come to our library to conduct research.”

The lecture was graced by Chief Guest Lord Bhikhu Parekh, in whose honour the Parekh Lecture Series has been instituted. Lord Parekh also generously donated his personal book collection to the Navrachana University Library, significantly enriching its academic resources.

Dr. Sheikh, Associate Professor of History at Vanderbilt University and the Obaid Siddique Chair (2025–26) at National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, is also a distinguished alumna of the Navrachana campus. In her keynote lecture, Dr. Sheikh presented three central arguments that reframed the understanding of mapping traditions in India. First, she proposed that mapping should be understood as a living tradition and practice, rather than merely a technical or scientific product. Second, she highlighted Gujarati communities as historically active traveller and navigators whose trade networks extended across regions, including Afghanistan, East Africa, and South Asia. Third, she compared European scientific cartography with Indian mapping traditions, demonstrating how Indian maps often prioritized narrative detail, cultural context, and ecological knowledge over strict scale or proportion.

Through examples ranging from Jain cosmological diagrams and Mughal route scrolls to the sophisticated eighteenth-century nautical charts of Kutch, Dr. Sheikh illustrated the diversity of mapping traditions in India. She explained that while modern audiences often associate maps with standardized atlases or digital platforms such as Google Maps, earlier Indian maps frequently depicted landscapes through narrative elements, cities, temples, trees, animals, and water bodies, often accompanied by explanatory texts and travel instructions.

The lecture also brought to life remarkable historical tales, including that of a Buddhist mariner from Bharuch and the Yantraraja, an astronomical instrument used by Jain monks to measure latitude. Professor Sheikh also explained how Gujarati seafarers, including those who helped Vasco da Gama, relied on grid-based navigational systems and extensive botanical knowledge to travel across the Indian Ocean.

Highlighting a mid-eighteenth-century mural map preserved at the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery, she demonstrated that Indian cartography represented a sophisticated synthesis of mathematical astronomy, artistic expression, and practical navigation. Dr. Sheikh concluded by urging audiences to view maps not as static objects but as dynamic processes of knowledge-making. By integrating Jain cosmological thought, Mughal administrative mapping, and the practical travel charts of merchants and sailors, Gujarat developed a unique knowledge system that sustained centuries of global trade and cultural exchange.

Reflecting on the insights shared during the lecture and Professor Sheikh’s association with the Navrachana campus, Provost Prof. Pratyush Shankar remarked,

“A map, much like science, cannot exist without a fair understanding of people and societies. It is not only about geography or history; it also speaks of economies, business, literature, and art. In many ways, maps bring together the entire domain of social sciences and humanities. Universities, therefore, remain incomplete without such interdisciplinary ways of understanding the world.”

The lecture offered audiences a renewed perspective on Gujarat’s intellectual and maritime heritage, reaffirming the region’s long-standing engagement with the wider world.

For more information – https://nuv.ac.in

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The NUV Graduate School will serve as a unified platform overseeing all existing and new postgraduate programs, offering a cohesive educational experience supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure. In addition to its current offerings, Navrachana University is introducing five new master’s programs: M.Sc in Computer Science (Co-op) program, M.Sc in Medicinal & Pharmaceutical Chemistry, M.Tech in Robotics and Automation, M.Sc in Food Science and Dietetics, and Master of Planning (Urban and Regional Planning). Planned and designed by experts in the respective disciplines with a focus on strong industry connections and international exposure, these courses will give aspirants the best of the academic, research, internship, and industry experiences.

As industries evolve at breakneck speed, the demand for students equipped with real-world skills is greater than ever. Traditional postgraduate programs often fail to address the unique challenges posed by modern industries, leaving a gap between academia and the workforce. To bridge this divide, what’s needed is an education that connects students with the real world—offering hands-on experiences, industry insights, and opportunities to network with industry experts. This is what sets the stage for tomorrow’s leaders who can navigate and thrive in a rapidly shifting landscape.

Navrachana University’s Provost, Prof. Pratyush Shankar, an eminent academician who is sought after worldwide for his research and exemplary innovative ideas, states the following about the NUV Graduate School – “The launch of the NUV Graduate School represents a transformative milestone in our ongoing commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry. In response to the rapidly evolving global landscape, we recognize that higher education must evolve as well. Our new postgraduate programs are designed to provide students with invaluable hands-on experience, global exposure, and strong industry connections, all while fostering an inclusive, creative, and flexible learning environment.”

These programs will bridge the gap between academic learning and industry needs, providing students with the skills and experience, necessary to become leaders in their fields. Opportunities such as stipends, internships, and advanced study options will ensure a comprehensive educational experience. Mentorship programs will also guide students toward entrepreneurial ventures, preparing them for success across various sectors.

Navrachana University is dedicated to shaping the next generation of innovators. The industry-linked postgraduate programs provide the foundation for students to thrive in a fast-changing world. For more details on admissions, fellowships, and eligibility, visit the NUV website or explore the campus to meet the faculty and learn more.

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