From Academia and Research to Industry: Bridging Academia, Research, and Industry to Create Meaningful Connections and New Opportunities : vTools Events

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From Academia and Research to Industry: Bridging Academia, Research, and Industry to Create Meaningful Connections and New Opportunities

#conferences #communities #collaboration #IEEE #IEEEYP #professional #YP #networking

The event brings together students, researchers, academics, young professionals, and industry professionals to foster meaningful connections and explore opportunities for collaboration. The programme features IEEE community introductions, research lightning presentations, an expert panel discussion on bridging academia, research, and industry, a rapid-fire interaction, and a collaboration matchmaking activity, providing participants with opportunities to exchange knowledge, build professional networks, and identify potential research and industry collaborations.

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La Trobe University, City Campus
Level 2/360 Collins St
Victoria, Victoria
Australia

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Held as part of:
IRAI 2026 – IEEE International Conference

Starts 27 August 2026 06:00 AM UTC
Ends 05 September 2026 12:00 AM UTC
No Admission Charge

Speakers

Dr Nishad

Topic:

From Academia and Research to Industry: Bridging Academia, Research, and Industry to Create Meaningful Connections

The panel discussion, “From Academia and Research to Industry: Bridging Academia, Research, and Industry to Create Meaningful Connections and New Opportunities,” will bring together experts from academia, research, and industry to explore pathways between these sectors. The discussion will focus on translating research into real-world impact, understanding industry expectations, building meaningful professional and research connections, and identifying opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and career development.

Biography:

Nishad Mendis is performing as Business Unit Manager – Renewable Energy with BUREAU of VERITAS. Prior Joining BV, Nishad worked as a Senior Engineer at DNV. GL's Energy Advisory group in Melbourne, Australia. Before joining DNV GL, Nishad worked for Eltek as a Solutions Engineer working on the design of the implementation of energy storage-based applications, Alstom Grid as a Design and Commissioning Engineer for HV substations and Noratel as a transformer Design Engineer.

Nishad has over 18 years of professional experience, including a PhD from the University of Wollongong, Australia, MBA from Anaheim University, USA and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering with honors from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.

Nishad also currently holds IEEE Senior membership and serves as Executive Board Member for the IEEE Industrial Application Society. Currently, Nishad is serving as an Honorary Fellow for the School of Electrical Engineering for Deakin University, Australia, and an industry advisory board member/Guest Lecturer for the Federation University.

Dr Daniel of Amazon, Califorinia

Topic:

From Academia and Research to Industry: Bridging Academia, Research, and Industry to Create Meaningful Connections

Biography:

Machine Learning, Stochastic Modeling, Deep Learning, Cyber-security, Robotics.
Helping computers to make informed decisions by combining data and expert-knowledge.

Over five years of research and development experience, collaborating with DOE National Labs, Universities and the industry.

Published over 24 peer-reviewed conference and two journal papers in machine learning, controls, computer vision, and cyber-security.

Experience in applying machine learning to a multitude of fields including energy management, control systems, human-machine interaction, natural language processing, and robotics.

Dr Champ

Topic:

From Academia and Research to Industry: Bridging Academia, Research, and Industry to Create Meaningful Connections

Biography:

Chief Technology Officer at Integra Technologies Inc., driving AI/ML-led digital transformation in the SMSF industry. With over 10 years of ICT experience and a PhD in Computing and Information Systems from the University of Melbourne, I’ve led initiatives across finance, health, defence, and education sectors. My expertise spans cloud migration, data strategy, BI, cybersecurity, and automation. Highly successful projects include team member Monash Freeway mapping for ramp lights, TRCSL islandwide network and Landslide hazard mitigation mapping using AI. Passionate about integrating AI with medical and financial domains, I bring a tool-agnostic, outcome-focused approach to data science.

Senior Member IEEE | Speaker | Researcher | Publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Champ-Mendis](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Champ-Mendis

Motto: Believe in a thing corrugated with reason and conscience.

Dr Chathurika

Topic:

From Academia and Research to Industry: Bridging Academia, Research, and Industry to Create Meaningful Connections

Biography:

~Strong research professional with over seven years of experience in applying machine learning to various fields, including Finance, Intelligent transportation, Control Systems, and Cyber Security.
~30+ peer-reviewed journal and conference papers, and 1 patent application.
~Research interests: Credit Behaviors, Anomaly detection, Human Behavior Segmentation, Neural Networks, and Explainable AI.
~Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and experience in collaborating with diverse interdisciplinary teams (U.S. national laboratories, DOE, Industry, and universities)
~Member and volunteer in IEEE IES, contributing to advancing global prosperity by fostering technological innovation, supporting members' careers, and promoting community worldwide.

Agenda

Time	Duration	Session	Lead / Format
10:00 – 10:15	15 min	Registration & Networking	Name tags, refreshments and informal introductions.
10:15 – 10:30	15 min	Welcome to IEEE YP & SAC: Building Connections	YP + SAC. Introduce both communities, the purpose of the gathering, participating universities/organisations and the opportunities for students, researchers and YPs to connect and collaborate.
10:30 – 11:00	30 min	Connecting Students & Researchers Through IEEE IAS	Dr. Nishad. IAS activities, benefits for students/YPs, technical communities, conferences, international networking, volunteering and research opportunities.
11:00 – 11:10	10 min	Research Lightning Introductions	Who am I? What am I working on? What am I looking for?
11:10 – 12:00	50 min	Panel Discussion	Explore how academia, research, and industry can come together to transform knowledge into real-world impact, while creating new pathways for collaboration and career opportunities. [ Dr Nishad, Dr Daniel Marino and Dr Champake Mendis, Moderated by Dr Chathurika]
12:00 - 12:15	15 min	Rapid Fire Round	With Participants and Panelists
12:15 – 12:30	15 min	Collaboration Matchmaking: Find Your Research Connection	Participants identify what they can offer, what they are looking for and potential collaborators.
12:30 – 12:35	5 min	Closing & Next Steps	YP + SAC. Key takeaways, IEEE opportunities, QR codes, LinkedIn/IEEE connections and group photo.
12:35 onwards		Open Networking & Lunch	Informal collaboration/networking with international delegates, researchers, students, YPs and industry professionals.