Professor Vermuri has over 50 years of experience engaging with diverse cultures through his education, lived experience, and professional work. He studied in India, Beirut, Western Australia, and the United Kingdom, and first came to Australia in the 1970s to complete his Matriculation. Since then, he has witnessed and contributed to the evolution of Australian multiculturalism.

In the 70s, he was known as Ram among classmates and their families, at a time when cultural diversity was not yet part of everyday Australian life. His career has been shaped by a humanist approach and a deep understanding of cultural complexity. He has worked across several international academic institutions including the University of Birmingham (UK), Indian Institute of Technology (Bombay), Yarmouk University (Jordan), and held key academic roles at Monash University and Charles Darwin University. His work consistently focused on policy-relevant research and inclusive teaching.

Having lived in Darwin for over 30 years, Professor Vermuri has actively promoted multicultural life in the Northern Territory. His work spans inclusion, diversity, citizenship, gender equality, national and territory discourse, and policy development. He is known for bridging academic insight with real-world policy needs.

He currently chairs the Ministerial Advisory Board of the Office of Senior Territorians and serves on several senior community boards. He is also recognised for his contributions to mental health care and behavioural research. From 2020 to 2022, he served as Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Multicultural Affairs, continuing his strong advocacy for inclusion and equity