Regional Research Symposium on Problem-Based Learning

Hosted by MIT Vishwaprayag University, Solapur (India)

In collaboration with Aalborg Centre for Problem-Based Learning in Engineering Science and Sustainability under the auspices of UNESCO, Aalborg University, Denmark, and in partnership with IUCEE.

MIT Vishwaprayag University, Solapur logo
Aalborg Centre for Problem-Based Learning in Engineering Science and Sustainability under the auspices of UNESCO logo
IUCEE Indo Universal Collaboration for Engineering Education logo

Dates

November 19-21, 2026

Venue

MIT VPU, Solapur

Publication

JEET Special Issue (Scopus-indexed)

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About the Symposium

The fourth Regional Research Symposium on Problem-Based Learning (RRSPBL) is a biannual symposium that will be held from November 19-21, 2026 at Pune, India. RRSPBL provides a scholarly platform for sharing evidence-based practices, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting professional development in PBL, and advancing partnerships across institutions through multi-stakeholder engagement.

The symposium is Hosted by MIT Vishwaprayag University, Solapur (India) in collaboration with Aalborg Centre for Problem-Based Learning in Engineering Science and Sustainability, Aalborg University, Denmark and in partnership with IUCEE - (Indo Universal Collaboration for Engineering Education).

The symposium focuses on how PBL can be adapted, scaled, and researched in Indian and regional contexts to address local societal challenges, enhance employability, and interdisciplinary complex problem-solving. The symposium invites educators and researchers to share evidence-based practices and research that advance PBL in engineering and other disciplines. We invite industry partners to share their best practices for real-world projects and mentorship that can inform curriculum design, along with employability insights for , innovation and sustainability. based practices and research that advance PBL in engineering and other disciplines. We invite industry partners to share their best practices for real-world projects and mentorship that can inform curriculum design, along with employability insights for entrepreneurship and sustainability.

Symposium Theme

Building Bridges

K-12, Higher Education, and Industry
Practice and Research
Disciplines, Programs, and Courses
Policy, Governance, and Leadership
Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

Submission Tracks

We invite submissions for PBL-based curricular interventions for the following tracks:-

Theoretical Foundations & Models

  • Problem-oriented and project-organised learning models
  • Social-emotional learning and competencies
  • Constructivist learning in practice
  • Historical evolution of PBL pedagogy
  • Comparing PBL models globally

Learner-Centred Processes

  • Student agency and empowerment
  • Collaborative learning & group dynamics
  • Engagement, self-regulation & metacognition
  • Managing productive struggle & failure

Facilitation & Pedagogical Practices

  • Scaffolding complex problem-solving
  • Questioning techniques & Socratic dialogue
  • Faculty development & mindset shifts
  • Coaching diverse learners & teams
  • Critical thinking & complex problem-solving
  • 21st-century skills development
  • Transfer of learning to new contexts
  • Long-term impact on careers & citizenship

Problem & Project Design

  • Crafting authentic, ill-structured problems
  • Community & industry partnerships
  • Interdisciplinary & transdisciplinary PBL
  • Integrating sustainability & social issues

Assessment & Learning Evidence

  • Rubrics for process, product & presentation
  • Peer, self & authentic assessment
  • Portfolios & learning artifacts
  • Measuring deep vs. surface learning

Cultural & Contextual Adaptations

  • PBL in Indian education (NEP 2020 alignment)
  • Large classrooms & resource constraints
  • Cultural responsiveness in facilitation
  • Rural, urban & diverse institutional contexts

Technology Integration

  • AI as collaborator vs. dependency
  • Virtual, hybrid & online PBL models
  • Digital tools for collaboration & making
  • Learning analytics & data-informed practice

Systemic Pedagogical Change & Transformation

  • Institutional transformation strategies
  • Curriculum redesign & coherence
  • Policy frameworks & accreditation
  • Sustainability & continuous quality assessment

Education & Industry Collaboration

  • Transition to work
  • Higher Education - Industry collaborations
  • Mentorship & Coaching Models
  • Partnerships for Scale
  • Authentic Problem Co-Design

Paper Submission & Publication

All submissions will be handled Easychair. For the first phase authors are invited to submit extended abstract as per the following template. The link for easychair submission will be available by March 15, 2026

All the accepted papers will be forwarded to the Journal of Engineering Education Transformations (JEET) for publication in Special Issue (Scopus-indexed Journal http://www.journaleet.in/). For queries on paper submission, please email at rrspbl@mitvpu.ac.in.

Submission Guidelines

For queries: rrspbl@mitvpu.ac.in

Important Dates

Sl.No Milestone Date
1 Call for Papers March 5, 2026
2 Extended Abstract Submission Deadline April 15, 2026
3 Abstract Review Outcome June 1, 2026
4 Full Paper Submission Deadline August 1, 2026
5 Communication of Full Paper Review Outcomes (Author Registration Begins - Early Bird) September 30, 2026
6 Camera-Ready Papers Due October 15, 2026
7 Symposium Dates (RRSPBL 2026) November 19-21, 2026

Registration

Registration fees are listed below in a standard fee table. Early Bird pricing starts from September 30, 2026.

Category Participant Type Early Bird Fee Late Fee
Institutional (India) Group 4 faculty members (including authors and/or delegates) INR 25,000 INR 30,000
Individual (India) Academic / Industry INR 8,000 INR 9,000
Foreign Delegates Foreign Delegates/authors USD 100 USD 150

18% GST is applicable on all categories. No differential charges for authors and non-authors.

How to Reach MIT Vishwaprayag University

The campus is located in Solapur, Maharashtra. Use the live map for route planning and navigation.