ACM COMPUTE 2025 Begins at IIT Ropar with National and Global Voices in Computing Education
The Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT Ropar) has inaugurated the ACM COMPUTE 2025 conference, a significant national-level platform aimed at advancing innovation and collaboration in computing education. The event is taking place from December 7 to 9, 2025, and has attracted over 150 educators, researchers, and industry experts from various backgrounds.
Event Overview
This three-day conference is hosted in collaboration with the India chapter of the Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (iSIGCSE) and is supported by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and SIGCSE. It is designed to address the evolving challenges and opportunities in computing education within India and beyond.
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony was led by Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, the Director of IIT Ropar, who welcomed participants and encouraged them to engage in discussions about the future of computing education. The conference has drawn representatives from a diverse range of institutions, including Tier 1 universities, private colleges, and Tier 2 and Tier 3 colleges, emphasizing the importance of pedagogical innovation across India’s educational landscape.
Keynote Speakers
This year’s conference features an impressive lineup of six keynote speakers, each addressing critical themes in computer science education:
- Prof. Tanmoy Chakraborty: Winner of the ACM Outstanding Contribution to Computing Education (OCCE) Award.
- Prof. Maria Mercedes T. Rodrigo
- Prof. Clif Kussmaul
- Dr. Tanuja Ganu
- Dr. Radhika Trikha
- Shoaib Dar
Their talks will cover a variety of topics, including:
- Teaching natural language processing in the age of large language models (LLMs)
- Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into curriculum design
- Digital pedagogy and its implications for teaching
Panel Discussions
Panel discussions throughout the conference will spotlight two urgent themes in computing education:
- Bridging the gap between academia and industry
- Navigating the role of AI in teaching and learning
These sessions aim to promote collaboration across sectors and equip educators with strategies that are forward-looking and relevant to current educational needs.
Research Presentations
Parallel paper presentation tracks will showcase original research focusing on:
- Curriculum design
- Assessment innovation
- Computing education in Indian contexts
- Inclusive learning strategies
A dedicated “Best Practices & Ideas” session will honor the legacy of Prof. V. Rajaraman, a pioneering figure in Indian computing education, and will reflect on how future curricula can be designed to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital world.
Sponsorship and Support
The conference has garnered support from major sponsors and institutional partners, including:
- GitHub
- Flame University
- Persistent Systems
- TCS Research
- NPTEL
- IIT Madras BS Degree Programme
- Neysa
Additionally, the conference has received strong backing from ACM India and its academic network, reflecting a united effort to strengthen computing education across all institutional levels.
Commitment to Inclusion
One of the unique strengths of COMPUTE 2025 is its commitment to inclusion. A significant number of educators from Tier 2 and Tier 3 colleges are participating through sponsorships and academic outreach initiatives. This effort aims to extend cutting-edge teaching practices to underserved geographies, thereby promoting equity in education.
Future of Computing Education
As COMPUTE 2025 progresses, it continues to serve as a vital space for computer science educators and practitioners to connect, share insights, and adapt to the changing landscape of education. With AI transforming how education is delivered and digital technologies reshaping learner expectations, the conference is playing a crucial role in building the roadmap for India’s next era of computing education. This era is envisioned to be inclusive, globally competitive, and aligned with local realities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ACM COMPUTE 2025 at IIT Ropar represents a significant milestone in the evolution of computing education in India. By bringing together national and global voices, this conference is poised to inspire innovative teaching practices and foster collaboration across various educational sectors.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on the latest updates regarding the ACM COMPUTE 2025 conference and its objectives.
