Andhra Pradesh, Australia sign four MoUs to strengthen education, clean energy and skill development

Andhra Pradesh and Australia have taken a major step towards strengthening bilateral cooperation with the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of clean energy, advanced manufacturing, inclusive education, student mental health and skill development.

The agreements were signed in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Minister of HRD Nara Lokesh and Australia’s Assistant Minister for International Education and Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill, a statement issued on Sunday said.

Earlier, an Australian delegation led by Mr. Hill met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at the latter’s camp office in Amaravati. During the meeting, the Chief Minister highlighted the State’s rapid economic growth, ongoing development initiatives and the opportunities available for investment, innovation and international collaboration.

Mr. Naidu felicitated the visiting Minister with a traditional shawl and presented him Araku Coffee and a commemorative memento.

The first agreement was signed between the State government’s Centre of Excellence for Energy Transition (CoEET), the Indian Institute of Technology-Tirupati and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney to establish a Centre of Excellence for Solar Manufacturing at IIT-Tirupati.

The CoE will drive cutting-edge research, innovation, technology development and workforce development, creating a globally competitive talent pipeline to support Andhra Pradesh’s clean energy ambitions. The initiative aligns with the State’s vision of building not only renewable energy capacity, but also a complete ecosystem of world-class research, advanced manufacturing and skilled professionals to power India’s clean energy transition.

The partnership is the outcome of discussions initiated by Minister for Education, IT and Electronics Nara Lokesh during his visit to Australia in October 2025.

“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,” said Mr. Lokesh, adding that the partnership would help establish Andhra Pradesh as a centre for clean energy innovation, while preparing the next generation of engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs who would power India’s energy transition.

The second MoU was signed by the University of New South Wales, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam and Samagra Shiksha, Andhra Pradesh, to strengthen inclusive education. It is intended to improve teachers’ ability to support children with autism and other neurodiverse learning needs.

The third agreement involves a technology-driven pilot project on student mental health and well-being. Under the initiative, the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) and Australian organisation Rebound would implement programmes in selected higher educational institutions across the State at no cost to participating institutions.

The fourth MoU was signed between the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) and Australia’s Dynamic Learning Services (DLS). The partnership focuses on vocational education, workforce development, industry-oriented training and creating international employment opportunities for students and young professionals.

Education Secretary Kona Sasidhar, Commissioner of School Education Tameem Ansaria, Commissioner of Higher Education Narayana Bharat Gupta, APSSDC Managing Director Ganesh Kumar, IIT-Tirupati Director Satyanarayan N. Gannavarapu, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam Vice-Chancellor V. Uma and senior officials attended.

Officials said the agreements were expected to strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s international partnerships and contribute to the State’s efforts to become a centre for innovation, advanced manufacturing and skilled workforce development.