Research universities, healthcare systems, and life-science institutions are no longer just centers of knowledge, they are powerful engines of global economic growth. In this TED-style mainstage session, speakers from different regions share concise, story-driven perspectives on how "Eds & Meds" ecosystems transform research excellence into international partnerships, investment, and market expansion. From breakthrough discoveries to cross-border collaboration, this session highlights the moments, decisions, and connections that enable regions to compete, and collaborate on a global stage.