The highly anticipated UG Design Summit 2025 is scheduled to take place from 5 to 8 October 2025, under the theme “Bridging Worlds, Shaping Sustainable Futures.” Hosted at Kyambogo University, the summit aims to position design as a transformative practice that addresses complex global challenges, including social, cultural, environmental, and economic issues. The summit seeks to unlock innovative methodologies by embracing interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches, seamlessly connecting theory with practice, and envisioning a world where design transcends boundaries and unites communities.
Drawing inspiration from the metaphor of a potter’s wheel, the summit highlights collaboration, cultural exchange, and shared knowledge to transform raw ideas into tangible and meaningful innovations. It welcomes a diverse range of professionals, including Design Practitioners, Academics and Researchers, Policymakers, Technology Innovators, Students, and cultural advocates. The primary aim is to empower participants to address urgent global issues, such as climate change, digital transformation, and social inequality, through design-led innovation, fostering a community committed to inclusion, resilience, and adaptability.
The first two days, Sunday, 5th October, and Monday, 6th October, will be dedicated to the PhD Colloquium, which is part of the Graduate Colloquium activities. This unique platform provides young researchers, including PhD and master’s students, with the opportunity to present their ideas and engage in discussions with experienced researchers. The colloquium is organised by the Design Research Activities Workgroup (DRAW) and supported by the EAST-SPARK project, which aims to enhance supervisory skills. Notable sessions include “Introduction to PhD Supervision,” led by Dr Emmanuel Mutungi, Dean of SAID at Kyambogo University; “Recruiting, Selecting, and Allocation of PhD Candidates” and “Supervisory Relationships with Candidates,” led by Prof. Mugendi M’rithaa of Machakos University; and “Internationalisation of Doctoral Education,” presented by Assoc. Prof. Kukunda Liz Bacwayo of UCU.
The academic core of the summit is organised around five main tracks: Innovative Futures through Design, Culture as a Catalyst for Design, Design Synergies Across Borders, Pedagogy for Community Solutions, and Knowledge Exchange in the New Normal.
Running concurrently with the main presentations from Monday, 6th October, to Wednesday, 8th October, is the exhibition located in the CTF Parking Area. This three-day event showcases design innovations from students, practising designers, and companies, promoting the integration of theory and practice. Notably, students from Kyambogo University are offered free participation in the exhibition.
On the evening of Day Three (7th October), participants are invited to the DESIGN FIREPLACE (EKYOTO), an evening discussion centred on essential issues in African design research. The main topic will be: “Glocal Design: Tailoring Global Innovations to Local Contexts.” The discussion will feature insights from Prof. Mugendi, Dr. Catherine Wandera, and Mr. Ageet Abraham Onyait. Additionally, Ekyoto will host a fashion show and a segment on traditional cultural attire.
Tags: design research, global design conference, interdisciplinary innovation, Kyambogo University, Sustainable Design, UG Design Summit 2025