This theme captures the “Triple Helix” model of collaboration that emphasises inter-connected roles of academia, industry, and Government in driving innovation through applied education and VPET initiatives by merging academic rigor, industrial relevance, and Government support. It naturally brings in coherent dialogue and conversation: academia as knowledge hubs; industry as practice and technology owners; and Government as ecosystem curator and regulator. Some key questions will be addressed: curriculum alignment and innovation with industry needs and industry-embedded learning experience, Government roles in policy frameworks, funding opportunities, and incentive schemes to support partnerships; potential challenges to sustain long-term collaboration such as IP issues, data sharing; work-based projects directly address industry needs and skill gaps; work-integrated learning (WIL); and real-world problem-solving. Successful examples, good practices, and case studies from different contexts will be disseminated. Panel can foster actionable plans, such as new initiatives, policies, and collaboration formats, leading to efficient knowledge exchange and societal impact in applied education and UAS ecosystem.