IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu on Friday inaugurated a Green Skills and Applied AI Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad.

The facility forms part of a national network of five such centres of excellence established by 1M1B and Microsoft in collaboration with MeitY Startup Hub and prepare graduates for emerging opportunities at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), sustainability and industry, with a dedicated track focused on Green Pharma.

The CoE, which support of the State Information Technology and Industries Departments , will equip technology and science graduates with industry-relevant skills and connect them with emerging opportunities. It will offer hands-on learning across Applied AI, Green Pharma, solar energy, electric vehicles and wind energy, the Minister’s office said in a release.

The industry-linked approach will help graduates build practical capabilities and gain exposure to the skills and technologies shaping the future of pharma.

“Gen Z will drive the next wave of AI and green innovation. As young people code, build businesses and explore the possibilities of AI, I urge them to use their skills not just to create successful enterprises, but to solve real-world challenges,” Mr.Sridhar Babu said. Rajiv Kumar, Managing Director and President of Microsoft India Development Centre; Manav Subodh, founder and Chief Mentor of 1M1B and others participated in the inauguration.

On the occasion, eight MoUs were signed between 1M1B and industry partners WindStream Energy Technologies, SCL Lifesciences, Emball’ISO India Packaging, Vimta Labs, Knowvation Learnings, CIEL HR Services, Arah Infotech and MSys Inc. Also, an #AIForMyCity challenge was launched to encourage youth to develop AI-powered solutions to real-world problems.