National Research Conference, Higher Education Expo on February 9

The National Research Conference and Kerala Higher Education Expo 2026 will commence at the Government College for Women here on Monday (February 9, 2026).

Jointly organised by the Higher Education department and the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC), the conference themed ‘Research to Impact: Innovation and translation for societal advancement’ seeks to bridge the gap between academic research and its practical application for social benefit.

Higher Education Minister R. Bindu will inaugurate the expo on Monday. The programme is aimed at showcasing exhibitions from State-run universities, colleges and Centres of Excellence, and will highlight patents, innovative technologies and research outputs from Kerala’s academic institutions.

The inaugural day will also feature a policy conclave on research and innovation involving the participation of Vice-Chancellors aimed at refining the State’s research policy framework.

Specialised workshops on reimagining undergraduate research under the four-year undergraduate programme framework will also be held to guide early-career researchers.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will deliver the inaugural address of the National Research Conference on February 11. He will also launch ‘Scholar Connect’, a digital platform designed to facilitate collaboration between the State’s higher education institutions and its academic diaspora worldwide. The platform is part of the government’s “Brain Gain” initiative.

The conference will feature eminent scholars including P. Balaram, former Director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru; Professor M.R.N. Murthy; and V.K. Ramachandran, Vice-Chairperson of the Kerala State Planning Board.