Telangana, Deakin University to establish AI Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: The Telangana government on Monday signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Australia’s Deakin University to set up an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad. IT and Industries Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu witnessed the signing at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Secretariat.
Telangana, Deakin University sign pact for AI hub
Deakin University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Iain Martin and state IT deputy secretary Bhavesh Mishra signed the LoI and exchanged documents. Minister Sridhar Babu said the collaboration would position Telangana as a global leader in AI.
“This is not a symbolic agreement. It will drive cooperation between Telangana and Australia while promoting innovation, research, entrepreneurship, and advanced AI solutions for society,” he said.
AI training and startup support planned
The Centre will work with Young Indian Skill University to design AI courses aligned with global industry needs. Telangana youth will be trained to international standards. In addition, Australian experts will mentor local AI startups and help them expand into overseas markets.
Sridhar Babu said the government had a clear plan to use AI for inclusive growth. “We will focus on healthcare, agriculture, and governance. Our goal is to deliver AI-driven citizen services while creating new research and entrepreneurial opportunities,” he said.
Deakin University praises Telangana’s AI vision
Prof. Iain Martin said Deakin chose Telangana for its strong commitment to AI-led growth. “We aim to deliver responsible AI solutions for public welfare. Telangana provides the right ecosystem for this,” he said.
Australian Deputy Consul General Steven, Consul Andrew Callister, Trade and Investment Commissioner Vikas Singh, Political and Economic Research Officer Ranjani Madhavan, and Deakin representatives Rauneet Pahwa, Priyanka Singh, and Gayatri Ved Narayan also attended the event.
Telangana is moving decisively towards becoming a global leader in Artificial Intelligence, with the establishment of a Center of Excellence in partnership with Australia’s Deakin University. This collaboration reflects our state’s commitment to harnessing international expertise… pic.twitter.com/NlMcsBGo0h
— Sridhar Babu Duddilla (@OffDSB) September 8, 2025
