Higher Education Minister Roji M. John will inaugurate the 23rd International Congress of Arachnology (ICA 2026) at Gokulam Park Hotel and Convention Centre, Kaloor, Kochi, on Sunday (November 15, 2026).
The seven-day meet, hosted by Bharata Mata College (BMC) (Autonomous), Thrikkakara, in association with Devamatha College, Kuravilangad, on behalf of the International Society of Arachnology (ISA), brings together over 200 delegates from around 50 countries to discuss developments in the study of spiders and other arachnids.
Rosemary G. Gillespie, Professor, University of California, and president, ISA, will chair the inaugural meet. Anto Cheranthuruthy, vicar general, Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, and member, governing body, BMC, will deliver the patron’s address.
This is the first time the congress is being held in India and only the second occasion it is being hosted in Asia, according to the organisers. The programme will feature 170 presentations, including plenary lectures, international symposia, workshops, and poster presentations.
Published – November 13, 2026 08:41 pm IST
