The inauguration was attended by Shri Mukesh Kumar Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher & Technical Education, Government of Gujarat, Shri Dilip Kumar Rana, IAS, Commissioner, Higher & Technical Education and CEO, Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat; and Manav Subodh, Founder and Chief Mentor, 1M1B Foundation, Dr. Nilay N. Bhupatani, Principal, L.D. College of Engineering;, alongside other government and industry representatives and young changemakers on wednesday.
Aligned with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology for inclusive growth, the Centre aims to connect future-skills development with practical applications and emerging career opportunities.
As Gujarat strengthens its position in green semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and advanced technologies, the CoE will help prepare young people for evolving industry needs. It is part of a three-year partnership between the Government of Gujarat, through GKS, and 1M1B Foundation, which aims to train and engage up to 3 lakh youth in applied AI, green skills, sustainability and emerging technologies.
Building Skills for Green Semiconductor Manufacturing
With semiconductor investments taking shape in Dholera and Sanand, Gujarat is emerging as an important centre for semiconductor manufacturing and the wider electronics value chain. The CoE will help young people understand how green semiconductor manufacturing can reduce environmental impact through more efficient use of energy and resources, responsible water management, waste reduction and sustainable production practices. It will also encourage youth to explore how applied AI and emerging technologies can support process optimisation, quality control, resource efficiency and more sustainable industrial operations.
Alongside hands-on learning in Applied AI, Solar Energy, Electric Vehicles and Wind Energy, the initiative will introduce participants to eco-friendly practices relevant to semiconductor manufacturing. It will also promote industry engagement, including mentoring, internships and potential employment pathways with semiconductor and electronics companies. This approach aims to equip participants with practical capabilities relevant to Gujarat’s expanding technology and manufacturing ecosystem.
Leadership Perspectives
Dr. Pradyuman Ganubhai Vaja, Cabinet Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Government of Gujarat, said, “Gujarat has been at the forefront of India’s industrial growth, and with the state emerging as a key hub for semiconductor manufacturing, we must ensure sustainability remains central to our progress. The Green Skills & Applied AI Centre of Excellence will help equip our youth with future-ready skills to harness AI and green technologies, drive sustainable industrial practices and address real-world challenges. By bringing together innovation, skills and sustainability, Gujarat can lead the way towards a future that combines technological advancement with economic prosperity and environmental responsibility.”
Manju Dhasmana, Senior Director – Elevate CSR, Microsoft, said, “Microsoft is honored to support the Government of Gujarat’s vision of building an AI-forward and future-ready state. The Ahmedabad Centre of Excellence will help equip young people with practical capabilities in Applied AI and Green Skills, connecting learning with emerging opportunities across Gujarat’s green semiconductor, electronics and advanced technology ecosystem. As AI transforms industries and the nature of work, this Centre of Excellence closely aligns with Microsoft Elevate’s focus on AI + Jobs, helping young people build the skills and pathways they need to participate in this evolving economy.”
Manav Subodh, Founder and Chief Mentor, 1M1B Foundation, said, “Our partnership with the Government of Gujarat aims to prepare young people for opportunities emerging from the state’s growing green semiconductor and advanced technology ecosystem. By combining Applied AI, Green Skills and industry-linked learning, we hope to equip youth with practical capabilities to support innovation, sustainable manufacturing and the jobs of the future.”
Building a National Network of Centres of Excellence
The Ahmedabad CoE is one of the five Green Skills & Applied AI Centres of Excellence being established by 1M1B Foundation and Microsoft, in collaboration with MeitY Startup Hub. Following the launch of Centres in Bengaluru, Lucknow and Hyderabad, the fifth Centre is scheduled to launch in Noida next week. Together, the Centres aim to expand access to Applied AI, climate innovation and future-ready skills across India.
The national network aims to engage 100,000 young people in Applied AI and Green Skills by 2030, connecting learning with industry exposure and pathways to employment, internships and entrepreneurship.
Microsoft will support the Centres through AI technologies, digital learning resources, employee mentorship, innovation challenges and capacity-building under its CSR programme, while 1M1B Foundation will lead implementation and management.
About 1M1B (One Million for One Billion)
1M1B (One Million for One Billion) is a United Nations–accredited non-profit founded by Manav Subodh that has spent the past decade mobilising and skilling young people to drive large-scale social and environmental impact.
With programmes running in 5,000+ schools and colleges, 25,000+ teachers trained, and 900,000+ youth skilled, 1M1B is building India’s future-ready AI and Green Skills talent with a strong focus on Tier 3 towns and rural India. 1M1B’s Job Melas and placement drives have achieved a 70% employment rate, directly connecting rural youth to meaningful livelihoods.
At the global stage, 1M1B is showcasing India’s soft power by transforming the country’s youth dividend into a climate dividend and an AI dividend. Through the Youth Climate Diplomacy 2026 programme, 1M1B is creating a new wave of Climate Fellows to advocate for keeping global warming under 1.5°C, culminating at the 1M1B Impact Summit at the United Nations in Geneva in November 2026.
More on: https://activate1m1b.org/
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