EVENTS & OTHER HAPPENINGS
CDE Innovation Day 2026
CDE Innovation Day 2026 gives NUS students and researchers a clear pathway to develop ideas, strengthen prototypes and turn research into real-world solutions through three tailored tracks. Bringing together design, engineering and enterprise, the programme helps participants build skills, test and refine their concepts, and compete for more than SGD 300,000 in funding at the final showcase.
Registration for EUREKA and IMPACT tracks is now open! Registration closes on 14 August 2026. Register here.
Division of Industrial Design hosts ACM Designing Interactive Systems 2026
The Division of Industrial Design hosted this year’s ACM Designing Interactive Systems (DIS) conference, with the majority of the organising committee comprising faculty, researchers, and staff from the division. It also marked the first time the conference was held in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
ACM DIS is a leading international conference in Human-Computer Interaction and Interaction Design, bringing together researchers, designers, and practitioners from around the world to share new ideas, research, and innovations in interactive systems.
Held at the NUS University Town from 13 to 17 June, the conference spanned five full days of activities, including workshops, presentations, demonstrations and poster exhibits. The weekend alone featured 19 workshops covering topics from AI and smart home care to material exploration, participatory design, storytelling, and more-than-human futures.
ACM DIS 2026 brought nearly 700 participants from 39 regions worldwide, featuring 290 full publications across 49 sessions and filled two sports halls with poster exhibitions and interactive demonstrations. The conference also saw a 59% increase in full paper submissions compared to 2025, reflecting the continued growth of the DIS community.
DID thanks and congratulates the faculty, researchers, staff and volunteers, whose efforts and contributions made ACM DIS 2026 a success. See the full organising committee list here.
DID researchers also contributed to papers, pictorials and workshops over multiple themes. From material experimentation and immersive technologies to cultural heritage and interactive systems, these accepted contributions reflect the diverse research interests and design inquiries emerging from the Division.
Young innovators shine at CDE Summer School 2026
CDE Summer School 2026: Robotics and Sustainability Edition wrapped up three days of hands-on learning, teamwork, and discovery, where participants built both technical skills and design thinking to tackle a real-world challenge.
Across the programme, participants brought together ideas from visual communication, 3D modelling, robotics, and electrochemistry to design a robotic cleaning system for a hawker centre setting. They began by exploring how design principles can strengthen both their robot concepts and final presentations, before conceptualising further through 3D modelling. As the challenge progressed, participants deepened their understanding of sustainable mobility and robotics fundamentals by experimenting with electrolysis-powered technology and building a remote-controlled car that formed the basis of their robot.
By the final day, teams had integrated what they learned into their final presentations and waste-sorting robot demonstrations, showcasing not just their solutions, but also their creativity, collaboration and problem-solving skills. Awards were presented for the Best Presentation & Team Effort, Best Design and Overall Winner of the Robot Challenge.
Student mentor Laura Lee (Year 2, Mechanical Engineering) shared, “It was inspiring to see students take the lead in discussions and approach each workshop with so much curiosity and enthusiasm.”
Participants also enjoyed the challenge’s collaborative nature. Erza Ho (J2, Anglo-Chinese Junior College) reflected, “I enjoyed hands-on experimentation and the group project aspect, especially how it emphasised teamwork and practical applications like presenting your ideas to consumers.”
We hope this summer school sparked new ideas and friendships, and a deeper appreciation of how CDE’s design and engineering mindset can solve meaningful real-world problems.
Fix it together: Celebrating team bonding through DIY repairs
On 19 June, CDE staff participated in an engaging bonding session organised by the Dean’s Office. The event featured practical repair training led by Mr Vincent Bay and his team from the Engineering Design and Innovation Centre (EDIC) and Central Workshop. Participants learned essential household repair skills, including the safe use of plugs, changing light bulbs, and cleaning kitchen sink traps.
HIGHLIGHTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
CDE Innovation Day 2026 Registration
CDE Innovation Day offers NUS students and researchers three tracks to grow ideas into real-world solutions and win funding support.
EVENTS & OTHER HAPPENINGS
CDE Innovation Day 2026
CDE Innovation Day 2026 gives NUS students and researchers a clear pathway to develop ideas, strengthen prototypes and turn research into real-world solutions through three tailored tracks. Bringing together design, engineering and enterprise, the programme helps participants build skills, test and refine their concepts, and compete for more than SGD 300,000 in funding at the final showcase.
Registration for EUREKA and IMPACT tracks is now open! Registration closes on 14 August 2026. Register here.
Division of Industrial Design hosts ACM Designing Interactive Systems 2026
The Division of Industrial Design hosted this year’s ACM Designing Interactive Systems (DIS) conference, with the majority of the organising committee comprising faculty, researchers, and staff from the division. It also marked the first time the conference was held in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
ACM DIS is a leading international conference in Human-Computer Interaction and Interaction Design, bringing together researchers, designers, and practitioners from around the world to share new ideas, research, and innovations in interactive systems.
Held at the NUS University Town from 13 to 17 June, the conference spanned five full days of activities, including workshops, presentations, demonstrations and poster exhibits. The weekend alone featured 19 workshops covering topics from AI and smart home care to material exploration, participatory design, storytelling, and more-than-human futures.
ACM DIS 2026 brought nearly 700 participants from 39 regions worldwide, featuring 290 full publications across 49 sessions and filled two sports halls with poster exhibitions and interactive demonstrations. The conference also saw a 59% increase in full paper submissions compared to 2025, reflecting the continued growth of the DIS community.
DID thanks and congratulates the faculty, researchers, staff and volunteers, whose efforts and contributions made ACM DIS 2026 a success. See the full organising committee list here.
DID researchers also contributed to papers, pictorials and workshops over multiple themes. From material experimentation and immersive technologies to cultural heritage and interactive systems, these accepted contributions reflect the diverse research interests and design inquiries emerging from the Division.
Young innovators shine at CDE Summer School 2026
CDE Summer School 2026: Robotics and Sustainability Edition wrapped up three days of hands-on learning, teamwork, and discovery, where participants built both technical skills and design thinking to tackle a real-world challenge.
Across the programme, participants brought together ideas from visual communication, 3D modelling, robotics, and electrochemistry to design a robotic cleaning system for a hawker centre setting. They began by exploring how design principles can strengthen both their robot concepts and final presentations, before conceptualising further through 3D modelling. As the challenge progressed, participants deepened their understanding of sustainable mobility and robotics fundamentals by experimenting with electrolysis-powered technology and building a remote-controlled car that formed the basis of their robot.
By the final day, teams had integrated what they learned into their final presentations and waste-sorting robot demonstrations, showcasing not just their solutions, but also their creativity, collaboration and problem-solving skills. Awards were presented for the Best Presentation & Team Effort, Best Design and Overall Winner of the Robot Challenge.
Student mentor Laura Lee (Year 2, Mechanical Engineering) shared, “It was inspiring to see students take the lead in discussions and approach each workshop with so much curiosity and enthusiasm.”
Participants also enjoyed the challenge’s collaborative nature. Erza Ho (J2, Anglo-Chinese Junior College) reflected, “I enjoyed hands-on experimentation and the group project aspect, especially how it emphasised teamwork and practical applications like presenting your ideas to consumers.”
We hope this summer school sparked new ideas and friendships, and a deeper appreciation of how CDE’s design and engineering mindset can solve meaningful real-world problems.
Fix it together: Celebrating team bonding through DIY repairs
On 19 June, CDE staff participated in an engaging bonding session organised by the Dean’s Office. The event featured practical repair training led by Mr Vincent Bay and his team from the Engineering Design and Innovation Centre (EDIC) and Central Workshop. Participants learned essential household repair skills, including the safe use of plugs, changing light bulbs, and cleaning kitchen sink traps.