AP ‘Preferred Destination’ For Global Investments And Innovation-driven Partnerships: Naidu
The first agreement brings together the state government's Centre of Excellence for Energy Transition (CoEET), Visakhapatnam, IIT Tirupati and University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, to establish a centre of excellence for solar manufacturing at IIT Tirupati
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday highlighted Andhra Pradesh's rapid economic transformation, investor-friendly policies and the state's immense potential for investment, innovation and international collaboration as he met an Australian delegation.
The delegation was led by assistant minister for international education and assistant minister for citizenship, customs and multicultural affairs Julian Hill at his camp office in Amaravati.
The meeting marked a significant milestone in the AP-Australia relations, with the two sides signing four pacts on clean energy, advanced manufacturing, inclusive education, student mental health and skill development. These, the government said, would pave the way for long-term collaboration in education, research, technology and workforce development.
Naidu said AP is emerging as a preferred destination for global investments and innovation-driven partnerships. He outlined the state's vision of becoming a hub for advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and knowledge-based industries.
He felicitated Julian Hill with a traditional shawl and presented him with a pack of Araku Coffee and a commemorative memento.
The MoUs were signed in the presence of education minister Nara Lokesh and Julian Hill. Lokesh said, “Andhra Pradesh is pursuing one of India’s most ambitious renewable energy programmes. Our vision goes beyond creating renewable energy capacity—we are building a complete ecosystem that combines advanced manufacturing, world-class research, innovation and highly skilled talent.”
“Our partnership with IIT Tirupati and UNSW, one of the world’s leading universities, will help establish Andhra Pradesh as a centre for clean energy innovation while preparing the next generation of engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs who will power India’s energy transition,” he said.
The first agreement brings together the state government's Centre of Excellence for Energy Transition (CoEET), Visakhapatnam, IIT Tirupati and University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, to establish a centre of excellence for solar manufacturing at IIT Tirupati.
The initiative aims to position AP as India's leading centre for solar manufacturing research, innovation, skill development and technology commercialisation.
The second MoU, signed by UNSW, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV) and Samagra Shiksha, Andhra Pradesh, focuses on strengthening inclusive education by equipping teachers with the skills needed to effectively support children with autism and other neurodiverse learning needs.
The third agreement enables the State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) and Australia's Rebound to jointly implement a technology-enabled pilot project promoting student mental health and well-being across selected higher education institutions. The programme will be offered free of cost to participating institutions.
The fourth MoU was signed between the State Skill Development Corporation and Australia's Dynamic Learning Services to collaborate on vocational education, workforce development, industry-aligned training and international employment pathways aimed at enhancing the global employability of Andhra Pradesh's youth.
Education secretary Kona Sasidhar, school education commissioner Tameem Ansaria, higher education commissioner Narayana Bharat Gupta, APSSDC managing director Ganesh Kumar, IIT Tirupati director Prof Satyanarayan Gannavarapu, SPMVV vice-chancellor Prof V Uma, Australian consul-general in Chennai Silai Zaki and others.
