Event Schedule

National Research Conference & Kerala Higher Education Expo 2026

Programme at a Glance
Day 1 (09 Feb 2026) Monday:
  • Inauguration of the Expo, Policy Conclave, Research Workshops, Leadership Roundtable
Day 2 (10 Feb 2026) Tuesday:
  • Thematic Research Sessions, One-Day Workshops, Cultural Programme & Conference Dinner
Day 3 (11 Feb 2026) Wednesday:
  • Plenary Lectures, Chief Minister's Address, Valedictory Session

Day 1: Monday, 9th February 2026

Morning Sessions
10:00 am to 11:00 am
• Inauguration of Pre-Conference Seminars, Workshops & Kerala Higher Education Expo 2026
Venue: Main Auditorium

  • Welcome Address: Dr. Rajan Varughese, Member Secretary, KSHEC
  • Chair: Prof. Rajan Gurukkal, Vice Chairman, Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC)
  • Inaugural Address: Dr. R. Bindu, Hon'ble Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice, Government of Kerala
  • Keynote Address: Prof. K. P. Sudheer, Ex-Officio Principal Secretary, Science & Technology Department & Executive Vice President, KSCSTE
  • Special Address: Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education
  • Guest of Honour: Prof. Sharath Ananthamurthy, Vice-Chancellor, Kuvempu University
  • Felicitation:
    • Dr. Jayaprakash P. – Director of Technical Education (DTE)
    • Dr. Umajyothi V. – Principal, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Vote of Thanks: Smt. Beenarani G. S., Registrar, KSHEC
11:30 am to 1:00 pm
• Policy Conclave on Research and Innovation in Higher Education
  • Chair: Prof. Rajan Gurukkal, Vice Chairman, Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC)
  • Keynote Address: Dr. R. Bindu, Hon'ble Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice, Government of Kerala
  • Special Address: Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education

Speakers

  • Prof. M Junaid Bushiri, Hon. Vice Chancellor, Cochin University of Science and Technology
  • Prof. K. K. Saju, Hon. Vice Chancellor, Kannur University
  • Prof. A. Biju Kumar, Hon. Vice Chancellor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies
  • Prof. K. K. Geethakumary, Hon. Vice Chancellor, Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit
  • Prof. Saji Gopinath, Hon. Vice Chancellor, Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (Digital University Kerala)

Vote of Thanks

Afternoon Sessions Parallel Programmes
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm Workshop I
• Reimagining Undergraduate Research: FYUGP Honours with Research
Focus on designing, mentoring, and implementing effective undergraduate research pathways under FYUGP.

Date: 09 February 2026 | Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Venue: Main Auditorium, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram
Prof. Bijukumar K
Coordinator
Prof. Bijukumar K
Professor, Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram
Key Resource Persons
S. M. Sunoj
S. M. Sunoj
Senior Professor, Department of Statistics, Cochin University of Science and Technology
FYUGP Honours with Research – Vision, Policy Framework, and Kerala Model
Rani Maria Thomas
Rani Maria Thomas
Principal, Assumption College, Changanassery
Building Undergraduate Research Capacity - Labs, Libraries, Data, and Faculty Readiness
Soju S
Soju S
Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Sree Narayana College, Chempazhanthy
Designing the Fourth Year – Curriculum Architecture, Credits, and Assessment
Vikas L. S.
Vikas L. S.
Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram
From Undergraduate Research to Research Careers – Pathways, Funding
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm Workshop II
• Workshop on Building Research Careers: Academic Writing, Fellowships and Networking
Practical guidance on scholarly writing, fellowship opportunities, international exposure, and academic networking.

Date: 09 February 2026 | Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Venue: Assembly Hall
Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram
Dr. Prince P. R.
Coordinator
Dr. Prince P. R.
University College, Thiruvananthapuram
Key Resource Persons
Dr. Manomohan Antony
Dr. Manomohan Antony
Associate Professor, University College, Thiruvananthapuram
Career Pathways in Research and Academia
Dr. Libin Kuriakose
Dr. Libin Kuriakose
Associate Professor, St. Thomas College, Pala
Fellowships and Research Funding Opportunities
Prof. K. Satheesh Kumar
Prof. K. Satheesh Kumar
Emeritus Visiting Professor, Digital University Kerala
Publishing Ethics and Research Integrity
Dr. Harshan V. N.
Dr. Harshan V. N.
Venturesci Consulting
Networking Academic Profile Building and Research Collaboration
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm Special Round Table Session
• Research to Impact: TrEST Research Park Leadership Round Table
Venue: Orice Hall, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram

Chair: Dr. Rajasree M S, CEO, TrEST Research Park
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm Special Evening Lecture
• Research to Impact: TrEST Research Park Leadership Round Table
Venue: Orice Hall, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram

Speakers:
  • Prof. Sharath Ananthamurthy, Vice-Chancellor, Kuvempu University
  • Dr. K. P. Mohanan (Retd. Professor) MIT, Stanford University, NUS & IISER, Pune.

Day 2: Tuesday, 10th February 2026

Full Day Academic Sessions
9:30 am to 4:45 pm
• Thematic Area-Wise Paper Presentation Sessions
Common Session Structure (For all Sessions)
Session 1: 9:30 am – 11:00 am  |  Session 2: 11:15 am – 12:30 pm  |  Session 3: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Lunch Break: 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Session 4: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm  |  Session 5: 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm

Opening Remark by the Chair: 5 minutes (9:30 am – 9:35 am). All invited lectures: 15 minutes (9:35 am – 9:50 am). Followed by Oral Presentations.
9:30 am to 4:45 pm Thematic Area: Social Sciences
• Thematic Area: Social Sciences
Venue: Seminar Hall; Economics MA - I Classroom; Economics MA - II Classroom

Invited Speakers:
  • Prof. C. P. Chandrasekhar, Emeritus Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
  • Prof. D. Narayana, Former Director, Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation (GIFT)
Chairs / Session Leads:
  • Prof. K. J. Joseph, Director, Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation
  • Prof. Vani Kesari A., Associate Professor, School of Legal Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology
  • Dr. K. V. Kunhikrishnan, Former Registrar, Cochin University of Science and Technology
  • Dr. Mathew A. Varghese, Assistant Professor, School of International Relations and Politics (SIRP)
  • Dr. T. R. Manoj, Member, Syndicate; Associate Professor of History, MSM College, Kayamkulam
  • Dr. Pramod N, Member, Syndicate; Assistant Professor, Department of History, NSS College, Nilamel
  • Dr. Firosekhan S.N., Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University College, TVPM
  • Dr. Abdul Kareem T B, Associate Professor, Department of Islamic History, University College Thiruvananthapuram
  • Dr Vimal Kumar C L, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Government College for Women
  • Dr Pillai U V Lakshmy, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Government College for Women
  • Dr. Ganasree H.G, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, KVSM Government College, Nedumangad
  • Dr. Resmi R. Nair, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, University College Thiruvananthapuram
9:30 am to 4:45 pm Thematic Area: Arts & Humanities
• Thematic Area: Arts & Humanities
Venue: Psychology Hall, E-Block, Philosophy

Invited Speakers:
  • Dr. K. P. Mohanan (Retd. Professor), MIT, Stanford University, NUS & IISER, Pune.
  • Prof. P P Ajayakumar, Former Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Kerala.
Chairs / Session Leads:
  • Dr. Pramod Kumar K. V., Member, Syndicate, Kannur University; Associate Professor, Department of English, M. G. College, Iritty.
  • Dr. K. Rahim, Member, Syndicate; Associate Professor of Malayalam, Government College for Women, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram.
  • Dr. T. Mohamed Saleem, Principal & Professor of Education, Farook Training College, Kozhikode.
  • Dr. Swapna Sreenivasan, Assistant Professor, Department of Malayalam, GWC, TVPM.
  • Dr. Shyama Sajeev, Associate Professor, Govt. Arts & Science College, Thrithala, Pkd.
  • Dr Sabna T Thaj, Assistant Professor, Dept of Jyotisha, Govt Sanskrit College, Trivandrum.
  • Prof. Dr Suma S., Retd. Principal.
  • Dr Renjini T, Head, Department of Psychology, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram.
  • Dr. Higgins Robert, Asst. Professor in Geography, University College, TVPM.
  • Dr. Beela G. K, Prof. and Head, Department of Community Science, KAU.
9:20 am to 12:30 pm Thematic Area: Physical Sciences
• Thematic Area: Physical Sciences
Venue: Physics Hall

Invited Speaker:
  • Prof. Sharath Ananthamurthy, Vice-Chancellor, Kuvempu University
Chairs / Session Leads:
  • Dr. Aldrin Antony, Associate Professor & Head, Department of Physics, CUSAT
  • Dr. Carol Vincent, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, GWC, TVPM
1:30 pm to 4:30 pm Thematic Area: Chemical Sciences
• Thematic Area: Chemical Sciences
Venue: Physics Hall

Invited Speaker:
  • Dr. Lalitha Guruprasad, Senior Professor & Coordinator, ASPIRE-TBI, University of Hyderabad
Chairs / Session Leads:
  • Dr. Jogy Alex, Associate Professor (Retd.), St. Thomas College, Pala; Member, Syndicate, Mahatma Gandhi University
  • Dr. Vijukumar VG, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, GWC, TVPM
9:30 am to 12:30 pm Thematic Area: Biological Sciences
• Thematic Area: Biological Sciences
Venue: Botany Hall

Invited Speaker:
  • Prof. Ranganath H. Anne Gowda, Distinguished Biologist, Former Director, NAAC
Chairs / Session Leads:
  • Dr. Baby Chakrapani P. S., Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, CUSAT
  • Prof. Radhakrishnan E. K., Associate Professor, School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University
  • Prof. K. Jayachandran, Senior Professor, School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University
  • Dr. Laija S. Nair, Professor & Head, Department of Botany, University College, TVPM
  • Dr. Preetha T.S., Professor, Department of Botany, University College, TVPM
9:30 am to 12:30 pm Thematic Area: Health & Allied Sciences
• Thematic Area: Health & Allied Sciences
Venue: Seminar Hall, Hindi

Invited Speaker:
  • Dr. E. Sreekumar, Director, Institute of Advanced Virology
Chair / Session Lead:
  • Dr. U C Jaleel, Former Principal Scientist, Chemoinformatics, IISc, Bangalore
Session content: Invited Lectures; Oral Presentations; Poster Presentations.
9:30 am to 4:30 pm Thematic Area: Engineering, Science & Technology
• Thematic Area: Engineering, Science & Technology
Venue: J BLOCK - IMB, J BLOCK - HISTORY

Invited Speaker:
  • Dr. Rajasree M. S., Chief Executive Officer, TrEST Park, Thiruvananthapuram
Chairs / Session Leads:
  • Dr. Joby K. Jose, Registrar & Professor, Department of Statistical Sciences, Kannur University.
  • Dr. Anoop A, Professor, School of Digital Sciences, Digital University Kerala
  • Dr. K. S. Anil Kumar, Principal & Professor, KSMDB College, Sasthamcotta
  • Dr. N. Gopakumar, Controller of Examinations, University of Kerala
1:30 pm to 4:30 pm Thematic Area: Commerce & Management
• Thematic Area: Commerce & Management
Venue: J BLOCK - HINDI

Invited Speaker:
  • Dr. Saji Gopinath, Vice Chancellor, Digital University of Kerala
Chairs / Session Leads:
  • Dr. Johney Johnson, Professor, School of Management & Business Studies
  • Dr. S. Santhosh Kumar, Professor, School of Management Studies; Director, DDUK, CUSAT
  • Dr. Rajesh M. Pyngavil, Director, KICMA
Workshops 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
9:30 am to 4:30 pm Workshop 3
• Emerging Research Funding Models and Grant Strategies for Early-Career Academics
Comprehensive overview of national and international funding mechanisms, proposal strategies, and mission-mode research funding.

Date: 10 February 2026 | Time: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Venue: Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram
Prof. (Dr.) Shaji E.
Coordinator
Prof. (Dr.) Shaji E.
Director, Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), University of Kerala
Key Resource Persons
Dr. P. Sreejith
Dr. P. Sreejith
Head, Dept of Zoology and Director, AcREM-Stem, University of Kerala
Co-Coordinator
Prof. Jiju P. Alex
Prof. Jiju P. Alex
Professor of Agricultural Extension, Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Thrissur & Member of the Kerala State Planning Board
Nurturing the Knowledge Society: State Policy Frameworks and Budgetary Strategies for Research Excellence
Prof. Gangan Prathap
Prof. Gangan Prathap
Former Director, National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR)
The Changing Architecture of Research Funding in India
Prof. Lalitha Guruprasad
Prof. Lalitha Guruprasad
Senior Professor & Coordinator, ASPIRE-TBI, University of Hyderabad
From Translational Research to Start-ups: Funding, Technology Transfer, and Incubation
Prof. Suresh Das
Prof. Suresh Das
Former Director, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, CSIR, Thiruvananthapuram
National Research Funding Landscape in India
Prof. Sabu Thomas
Prof. Sabu Thomas
Former Vice-Chancellor and Professor, Mahatma Gandhi University
International and Bilateral Research Funding Opportunities
Prof. A. Sabu
Prof. A. Sabu
Member Secretary, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE)
Winning Research Grants: Proposal Strategy and Opportunities through KSCSTE
Prof. Dhamodharan S.
Prof. Dhamodharan S.
Professor, Amrita Center for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Kochi
Industry, CSR, and PPP Funding Models for Research and Innovation
9:30 am to 4:00 pm Workshop 4
• Workshop on Accelerating Research with Responsible AI
Hands-on exploration of AI tools for literature review, data analysis, academic writing, and research productivity.

Date: 10 February 2026 | Time: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Venue: Orise Hall
Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram
Resource Person
Sunil Prabhakaran
Sunil Prabhakaran
Consultant - AI & Digital Practices
9:30 am to 4:00 pm Seminar
• Global Institutional Shifts and Lessons for Kerala's Higher Education System
Venue: Assembly Hall

Moderator: Prof. Sabu Thomas, Former Vice Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam

Speakers:
  • Prof. Zachariah Mathew, University of Michigan-Flint, USA
  • Prof. Matthew A. Witenstein, University of New Mexico, USA
  • Prof. Ajayan Vinu, University of Newcastle, Australia
  • Prof. Deepak P., Queen's University, UK (Online)
  • Prof. Mohan Jacob, James Cook University, Australia
  • Prof. Sarada Balachandran Nair Sumadevi, RIKEN, Japan
  • Prof. Vinod Namboodiri, Lehigh University, USA
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Special Evening Lectures
• Special Evening Lectures
Venue: Assembly Hall

Speakers:
  • Prof. C. P. Chandrasekhar, Emeritus Professor, Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, JNU, New Delhi
  • Prof. Ranganath H. Anne Gowda, Distinguished Biologist, Visiting Professor, Centre for Human Genetics, Bangalore
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Poster Presentations
• Poster Presentations
Venue: Assembly Hall Area
Evening Programme
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
• Cultural Programme
As a part of the National Research Conference & the Kerala Higher Education Expo 2026, Dr. Methil Devika will be screening two dance films related to her Navakerala Postdoctoral project.

Venue: Soorya Ganesham, Thycaud (next to Lemon Tree Premier Hotel)
Date: 10.02.2026
Time: 6.15 pm
Speaker
Featuring: Dr. Methil Devika
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
• Cultural Programme
Venue: Main Auditorium

Performers: Students of Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
• Conference Dinner

Day 3: Wednesday, 11th February 2026

Morning Session
10:00 am to 11:00 am Plenary Session
• Plenary Sessions
Venue: Main Auditorium
Plenary Speakers:
  • Dr. D. Narayana, Former Director, Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation
  • Dr. M. R. N. Murthy, Former Professor, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru

Venue: Assembly Hall
Plenary Speakers:
  • Dr. V. S. Vijayan, Chairman, Salim Ali Foundation
Special Inaugural Address
12:00 noon to 1:30 pm Plenary Session
• Inaugural Address
Venue: Main Auditorium

Welcome Address:
  • Prof. Rajan Gurukkal, Vice Chairman, Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC)
Chair:
  • Dr. R. Bindu, Hon'ble Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice, Government of Kerala
Inauguration of the Conference:
  • Launching of the Scholar Connect Digital Platform
  • Distribution of Chief Ministers NAVA Kerala Post-Doctoral Fellowship Certificate

Inaugural Address by Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Kerala

Keynote Addresses:
  • Prof. V. K. Ramachandharan, Vice Chairman, State Planning Board, Kerala
  • Prof. P. Balaram, Former Director, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
  • Prof. Prabhat Patnaik, Emeritus Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
  • Prof. Sharath Ananthamurthy, Vice-Chancellor, Kuvempu University
Special Address:
  • Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education
Felicitation:
  • Dr. Umajyothi V., Principal, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram
Vote of Thanks:
  • Dr. Rajan Varughese, Member Secretary, KSHEC
Concluding Session
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm Concluding Session
• Valedictory Session & Concluding Remarks
Venue: Main Auditorium

Welcome Address:
  • Dr. Sudheendran K, Research Officer, KSHEC
Chair:
  • Prof. Rajan Gurukkal, Vice Chairman, KSHEC
Valedictory Address:
  • Dr. R. Bindu, Hon'ble Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice
Conference Report:
  • Dr. Rajan Varughese, Member Secretary, KSHEC
  • Dr. Umajyothi V., Principal, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram
Vote of Thanks:
  • Dr. Saji Alex, Joint Coordinator National Research Conference, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram

Key Speakers of the Conference

PROF. P. BALARAM
PROF. P. BALARAM
FORMER DIRECTOR, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE (IISC), BENGALURU
PROF. M. R. N. MURTHY
PROF. M. R. N. MURTHY
FORMER PROFESSOR, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE (IISC), BENGALURU; DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR, IBAB
PROF. V. K. RAMACHANDRAN
PROF. V. K. RAMACHANDRAN
VICE CHAIRPERSON, KERALA STATE PLANNING BOARD
PROF. C. P. CHANDRASEKHAR
PROF. C. P. CHANDRASEKHAR
EMERITUS PROFESSOR, CENTRE FOR ECONOMIC STUDIES AND PLANNING, JNU, NEW DELHI
PROF. RANGANATH H. ANNEGOWDA
PROF. RANGANATH H. ANNEGOWDA
CENTRE FOR HUMAN GENETICS, BANGALORE
PROF. SHARATH ANANTHAMURTHY
PROF. SHARATH ANANTHAMURTHY
VICE-CHANCELLOR, KUVEMPU UNIVERSITY
PROF. RAJAN GURUKKAL
PROF. RAJAN GURUKKAL
VICE-CHAIRMAN, KERALA STATE HIGHER EDUCATION COUNCIL
PROF. PRABHAT PATNAIK
PROF. PRABHAT PATNAIK
PROFESSOR EMERITUS, JAWAHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY (JNU), NEW DELHI
PROF. GANGAN PRATHAP
PROF. GANGAN PRATHAP
FORMER VICE-CHANCELLOR, COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
PROF. SURESH DAS
PROF. SURESH DAS
FORMER EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE KERALA STATE COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
PROF. K. P. MOHANAN
PROF. K. P. MOHANAN
FORMER PROFESSOR NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
PROF. SABU THOMAS
PROF. SABU THOMAS
FORMER VICE-CHANCELLOR, MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY, KERALA
DR. SHARMILA MARY JOSEPH I.A.S.
DR. SHARMILA MARY JOSEPH I.A.S.
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPT. OF HIGHER EDUCATION, GOVT. OF KERALA
PROF. K.P. SUDHEER
PROF. K.P. SUDHEER
EX OFFICIO PRINCIPAL SECRETARY S&T DEPARTMENT & EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT KSCSTE
PROF. RAJASREE M.S.
PROF. RAJASREE M.S.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO) OF TREST RESEARCH PARK
PROF. SAJI GOPINATH
PROF. SAJI GOPINATH
VICE CHANCELLOR, DIGITAL UNIVERSITY KERALA (DUK)
PROF. A. SABU
PROF. A. SABU
MEMBER SECRETARY, KERALA STATE COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE
PROF. (DR.) JIJU P. ALEX
PROF. (DR.) JIJU P. ALEX
MEMBER OF THE KERALA STATE PLANNING BOARD

Key Speakers : Attracting Diaspora Talent

PROF. AJAYAN VINU
PROF. AJAYAN VINU
UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA
PROF. DEEPAK P.
PROF. DEEPAK P.
QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST, UK
PROF. MATTHEW A. WITENSTEIN
PROF. MATTHEW A. WITENSTEIN
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO, USA
PROF. MOHAN JACOB
PROF. MOHAN JACOB
JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY, AUSTRALIA
MS. SARADA BALACHANDRAN NAIR SUMADEVI
MS. SARADA BALACHANDRAN NAIR SUMADEVI
RIKEN, JAPAN
PROF. VINOD NAMBOODIRI
PROF. VINOD NAMBOODIRI
LEHIGH UNIVERSITY, USA
DR. ZACHARIAH MATHEW
DR. ZACHARIAH MATHEW
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-FLINT, USA