IIT Palakkad’s vision for Academic and Industrial Growth at Invest Kerala Global Summit 2025
On February 21, 2025, Prof. A. Seshadri Sekhar, Director of IIT Palakkad, participated as a panelist at the Invest Kerala Global Summit 2025 held at the Lulu International Convention Centre in Bolgatty, Kochi. Addressing a distinguished audience on the topic ‘Future of Talent', he highlighted key insights on digital sustainability, the AI revolution, and the transforming workforce landscape. The emphasis was on the future of work that transcends mere technological advancements, requiring industry, academia, and government to build an adaptable workforce with technical and soft skills. Furthermore, he elaborated on the significance of digital sustainability and described AI as an interdisciplinary domain that impacts various sectors. “A balanced approach where automation complements human intelligence, highlighting creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability are crucial in a technology-driven world," he opined.
The address underscored Gen Z’s demand for purpose-driven work, innovation and work-life balance. Flexible work environments, sustainability, and lifelong learning are pivotal. A strong partnership between academia, industry, and policymakers is crucial for developing future-ready talent. Institutions must modernize curricula, the industries should invest in internships and continuous learning and the policymakers need to provide incentives to foster innovation. Prof. Sekhar concluded by highlighting the importance of a mission-driven R&D ecosystem where academia, industry, and government work in unison to tackle global challenges.
