Global Recognition for UWTSD Lecturer as Design Educator Award Finalist
Vibhor Sharma, Senior Lecturer in Automotive and Transport Design at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), has been shortlisted for the prestigious Design Educator of the Year category at the 2026 Car Design News (CDN) People Awards.
The CDN People Awards celebrate the designers, teams, educators, and emerging talent shaping the future of the global automotive design industry. The awards recognise excellence across a broad spectrum of disciplines, including exterior and interior design, clay modelling, artificial intelligence, user experience, sustainability, and advanced design.
The Design Educator of the Year category honours individuals who have made a significant impact on design education through innovation, leadership, and the development of future industry talent.
With more than 15 years of experience spanning both industry and academia, Vibhor has established an international reputation as an educator and automotive designer. His professional career has included roles with leading organisations such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Hyundai Motors, Volvo-Eicher and Mahindra Odyssea, where he contributed to a range of pioneering transportation and mobility projects.
Before joining UWTSD, Vibhor served as Head of the Transportation Design Department at MIT Institute of Design in Pune, India, where he led academic programmes and mentored aspiring designers. Throughout his career, he has delivered masterclasses and guest lectures at prestigious institutions, sharing expertise in future-focused automotive design and mobility innovation.
At UWTSD, Vibhor teaches across a range of specialist subjects, including concept design, vehicle packaging, yacht design, colour, materials and finish (CMF) design, commercial vehicle design, vehicle design for special needs, and automotive customisation. He is particularly passionate about preparing students for the rapidly evolving challenges of the automotive and transport sectors.
Vibhor said: “I am honoured to be shortlisted for Design Educator of the Year. Automotive design is undergoing unprecedented transformation, driven by new technologies, sustainability priorities, and evolving user needs. As an educator, it is our responsibility to inspire students to embrace these changes, think creatively and develop the skills needed to shape the future of mobility. This recognition reflects not only my work but also the enthusiasm, talent, and dedication of the students I have had the privilege to teach and mentor.”
During his professional career, Vibhor has worked on a diverse range of design projects, including the design and development of bus and truck interiors for Mahindra Commercial Vehicles, a concept multi-purpose vehicle for Hyundai Motors, yacht design projects, future public transport research for Volvo-Eicher and the design and development of an autonomous electric campus vehicle.
Alongside his teaching responsibilities, Vibhor is currently pursuing a PhD focused on the customisation of personal cars. His achievements have also been recognised through a number of awards, including the I-Design Award and a runner-up position in the Battle of Design Projects at the Pune Design Festival, as well as success in several robotics design competitions.
Dr Mark Cocks, Dean of the Wales Institute of Science at UWTSD, said: “We are delighted to see Vibhor’s dedication to design education recognised on an international stage. His combination of industry expertise, academic leadership and commitment to student success makes him an outstanding educator. This shortlist reflects the high-quality learning experience available to students studying Automotive and Transport Design at UWTSD and demonstrates our commitment to developing the next generation of creative talent for the global mobility sector.”
The winners of the 2026 Car Design News People Awards will be announced on December 3, 2026, at Old Billingsgate in London.
Further Information
Rebecca Davies
Executive Press and Media Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467071