Conference Chair: Debopriyo Roy

Professor Debopriyo Roy is a full professor of Technical Communication and Computer-Assisted Language Learning at the University of Aizu, Japan, with over 20 years of experience in communication studies and rhetoric.

He holds a BS and MA in Economics from Calcutta University and the Delhi School of Economics in India. Dr. Roy earned his second MA in Human Communication from the University of Louisiana and completed his Ph.D. in Communication and Rhetoric at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York in 2005. During his doctoral studies, he served as an adjunct professor of English at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York. Following his Ph.D., he joined the University of North Texas in Denton, TX, as an assistant professor of Technical Communication. In 2007, he moved to Japan to become a professor of Technical Communication at the Center for Language Research within the Computer Science and Engineering department at the University of Aizu.

Professor Roy’s research focuses on enhancing technical communication practices in the industry, particularly how computer science majors can be equipped with the soft skills necessary for the technology marketplace. His work emphasizes preparing students with content knowledge, industry awareness, and the ability to communicate their ideas effectively through technical documentation, presentations, negotiations, and interpersonal communication. His ultimate goal is to prepare students for the global job market, with a special focus on job interviews and communicating in English while working on international projects for Japanese companies.

Some of his key projects involve teaching linguistic entrepreneurship through e-portfolios, 3D printing design and documentation, software and hardware usability testing, entrepreneurship education using video analysis, intelligent content design, and e-portfolio creation aligned with Industry 4.0 and design thinking principles. Prof. Roy has led and collaborated on several Kakenhi projects as a Principal Investigator (PI) and co-PI and has numerous publications in project-based language teaching and technical communication, often with a hard-CLIL focus.

In addition, Professor Roy actively organizes multiple international conferences and founded organizations such as the ACM Chapter on e-Learning and Technical Communication and ETLTC. These initiatives aim to foster an international community of experts, create a strong network for global student participation, and explore ICT integration in technical education, with a focus on educational technology, instructional technology, and the application of hardware and software in instructional design.

He has also established numerous academic partnerships with universities and organizations worldwide.