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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The public event welcomed UCF students, staff, and faculty, as well as members of industry and the Central Florida community.\u202fYogesh Joshi, Indian Community Endowed Assistant Professor and Director of the India Center at UCF, provided welcoming remarks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDr. 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,\u201d says Joshi. \u201cFrom aerospace and defense to information technology, renewable energy, and healthcare, the potential for collaborative innovation is limitless. Dr. Lall\u2019s 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.\u201d\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have seen U.S.-India technology progress catalyzed in the past few years, and the relationship is accelerating at a rapid pace,\u201d says Lall. \u201cFor 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\u2019s an ideal environment to develop the requisite technologies at an early stage.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is a sea change in India easing the way we do business,\u201d says Lall. \u201cBusiness has long focused on growth and connection between countries and economic security is the other side of national security.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kapat asked Lall about issues and threats facing our world and what we have learned from the pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo one can predict when catastrophic events happen,\u201d says Lall. \u201cHowever, we do have many lessons to draw from in even recent history. One area that needs planning and attention is the global supply chain.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also provided advice for students as they weigh their future careers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe opportunities are immense,\u201d says Lall.\u201d Engaging with India is important and having international experience is helpful when working for corporations. The time is also ripe for \u2018frugal innovation.\u2019 Startups in India are tapping into a global pool of mentors and there\u2019s a recognition of the need for collaboration and learning between our nations.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n