At the seminar on Global Institutional Shifts and Lessons for Kerala's Higher Education System, Professor Vinod Namboodiri spoke about the close connection between research, industry, and startups. He focused on how research can be converted into practical solutions that benefit society. The discussion highlighted the need for collaboration among government, universities, and faculty members to strengthen translational research. Global best practices, such as the National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator Program, were cited as examples. The session also emphasized interdisciplinary work, flexible learning pathways, and strong institutional support to move ideas from the laboratory to the market.

Professor Namboodiri also spoke about Lehigh University’s Research Translation Accelerator. Its main goal is to improve the development and delivery of assistive technologies. The initiative connects community needs with research expertise. It aims to create practical and scalable solutions that improve independence, mobility, and quality of life for persons with disabilities and older adults.

Professor Namboodiri encouraged universities to build a culture of innovation. He said faculty should be ready to take risks and guide students in translational research. He also highlighted the importance of working across countries in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to solve common global challenges.