We are delighted to share that Sanmitra Chitte, a member of the HCD Institute Board, has been selected as an Independent Expert for the EIT Culture & Creativity Pool of Experts 2026, in the area of Education & Innovation. It is a recognition of her expertise at a European level, and a proud moment for everyone at HCD Institute.
What EIT Culture & Creativity is
EIT Culture & Creativity is the ninth Innovation Community of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, and its work is co-funded by the EU. It supports innovation and growth across Europe’s cultural and creative sectors, including fashion, gaming, architecture, cultural heritage and audiovisual media.
Its Pool of Experts is the group of independent professionals it draws on to evaluate proposals, review programmes and support the ventures it funds. Being selected means EIT Culture & Creativity trusts the expert’s judgement on where innovation funding should go.
Why it matters to us
Our work at HCD Institute has always been about taking human-centred design beyond design schools, into classrooms, universities, public institutions and enterprises. Education and innovation sit at the centre of that mission. Sanmitra’s selection in exactly this area tells us three things.
Indian expertise is shaping global decisions. An Indian voice will now help assess how Europe invests in creative and educational innovation.
Education is part of the innovation agenda. Europe’s creative economy treats learning as core infrastructure. This is the bet HCD Institute, DIC Hub, IIT Hyderabad has been making in India.
Our Board brings real-world reach. The people guiding HCD Institute carry international standing, and that strengthens every partnership we build, from India to the UAE to Europe.
Bridging India and Europe
HCD Institute is building collaborations across the Global South and with European partners in design, accessibility and education. Having a Board member inside the EIT Culture & Creativity expert community gives us first-hand understanding of how European innovation programmes think, evaluate and fund. That helps us design better programmes for our learners and partners.
Congratulations, Sanmitra
On behalf of the HCD Institute team, fellows and partners: congratulations, Sanmitra. We are proud to have you on our Board and look forward to the perspective you will bring to our work.
