Kerala should use its strong education base and skilled workforce to build high-tech and knowledge-based industries, create local jobs and encourage reverse migration, Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan said on Monday.

Radhakrishnan was speaking at the Industry-Academia Summit on ‘India, Impact of AI’ and the silver jubilee celebrations of the Rajagiri School of Engineering and Technology (RSET) in Kochi. The institution completed 25 years this year.

He said Kerala's limited availability of land and high land costs make it difficult to attract large traditional industries. The state should therefore focus on sectors that can generate high-value employment without requiring large amounts of land.

Radhakrishnan called for greater investment in research-oriented higher education, innovation, interdisciplinary research and responsible use of artificial intelligence. He also stressed the need for stronger partnerships between educational institutions and industry.

"Beyond just producing graduates, we must understand the demands of the market," he said, underlining the need for universities to equip students with skills relevant to changing industry requirements.

The Vice-President said Kerala's educational base and talent pool could help attract high-tech enterprises and create an ecosystem supporting research, innovation and entrepreneurship. Such industry-academia links, he said, would also help India become a global hub for technology and startups.

He also highlighted the need for universities to adapt to the changing technology landscape through innovative teaching and interdisciplinary research, while ensuring that AI is used responsibly.

The event also marked the inauguration of Confluence 3.0, an industry-academia summit focused on the impact of AI. The programme brought together representatives from academia and industry to discuss the implications of AI and its applications.

Radhakrishnan also laid the foundation stone for the administrative block at RSET as part of the institution's 25th anniversary celebrations.

He praised RSET's contribution to producing technocrats and leaders in public life, and highlighted Kerala's achievements in literacy, social development and human capital.

The Vice-President also urged students to stay away from drugs and use their skills for the benefit of society. Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister V D Satheesan, Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi and Kerala Higher Education Minister Roji M John were among those present at the event.