First Distinguished Lecture Hosted by The India Center at UCF 

Vivek Lall, Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation, Shares Insights on U.S.-India Technology Opportunities

By Sultana Ali | May 29, 2025 

This April, The India Center at UCF hosted its inaugural Distinguished Lecture, featuring Vivek Lall, Ph.D., Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation. In a conversation with Professor Jayanta Kapat, Pegasus Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Center for Advanced Turbomachinery and Energy Research (CATER), Lall provided insights into the growing synergies between the United States and India in science and technology.  

The public event welcomed UCF students, staff, and faculty, as well as members of industry and the Central Florida community. Yogesh Joshi, Indian Community Endowed Assistant Professor and Director of the India Center at UCF, provided welcoming remarks.  

“Dr. Lall is a very impactful and influential voice in decision-making and policy circles not only in the US but also in multilateral and global forums,” says Joshi. “From aerospace and defense to information technology, renewable energy, and healthcare, the potential for collaborative innovation is limitless. Dr. Lall’s experience as Aerospace engineer, a corporate leader, and a high impact policy maker, with integral links to both the United States and India allows him to provide a unique perspective on India-US technological cooperation.”   

Lall explored the collaborative efforts in science and policy for both the U.S. and India, as well as opportunities for shaping the future of global technological leadership. 

“We have seen U.S.-India technology progress catalyzed in the past few years, and the relationship is accelerating at a rapid pace,” says Lall. “For instance, the U.S. is a pioneer in space and space technology, including earth monitoring and long-term manned flight. In India, we are seeing an unprecedented increase in start-ups geared toward space flight. Enhancing STEM-related research is critical. It’s an ideal environment to develop the requisite technologies at an early stage.” 

He mentioned other industries that are evolving, including energy, healthcare, and technology entrepreneurship, and also spoke to the opportunities for the U.S. and India. 

“There is a sea change in India easing the way we do business,” says Lall. “Business has long focused on growth and connection between countries and economic security is the other side of national security.” 

Kapat asked Lall about issues and threats facing our world and what we have learned from the pandemic. 

“No one can predict when catastrophic events happen,” says Lall. “However, we do have many lessons to draw from in even recent history. One area that needs planning and attention is the global supply chain.”  

He also provided advice for students as they weigh their future careers. 

“The opportunities are immense,” says Lall.” Engaging with India is important and having international experience is helpful when working for corporations. The time is also ripe for ‘frugal innovation.’ Startups in India are tapping into a global pool of mentors and there’s a recognition of the need for collaboration and learning between our nations.”  

To view upcoming events hosted by The India Center, please visit the Center’s website.