VIJAYAWADA (Andhra Pradesh): The Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) and PhysicsWallah (PW), an EdTech company have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the University of Innovation (UoI), which is aimed to be the first Institute of Eminence (IoE) in the state.
This initiative is in line with the vision of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu as it aims to provide the state’s youth with education in Artificial Intelligence (AI), emerging technologies, new age skills, and entrepreneurship, paving the way for Andhra Pradesh to become an education hub, an official release said on Friday.
The University of Innovation will work towards blending academic excellence, innovation, and research. Its focus is to address key challenges in education and employability. The initiative will follow a hub-and-spoke model, with the University serving as the central hub, and satellite centers across Andhra Pradesh acting as spokes. This approach is an attempt to provide students from diverse backgrounds and regions access to contemporary, hybrid education that combines online and in-person learning experiences. In an attempt to keep the curriculum aligned with the market, PW is collaborating with industry partners like Amazon Web Services to provide industry-relevant education.Nara Lokesh, Minister for Human Resources Development, Government of Andhra Pradesh, said, “This partnership aims at advancing innovation and equipping our youth with skills that align with industry demands and standards. The University of Innovation’s vision to get status of Institute of Eminence for integrating advanced technology and education to create pathways for growth and development is commendable. We are confident that this initiative will strengthen our state’s position as a leader for talent development and knowledge creation.”
Alakh Pandey, Founder & CEO, PhysicsWallah (PW), shared his thoughts on the collaboration, “At PhysicsWallah, we believe that education is important. Our partnership with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to establish the University of Innovation is a step towards that belief. We are committed to invest up to ₹1000 crores by GSV Ventures – US and other investors, the purpose is to create an institution that combines academic learning with industry relevance. The UoI will help learners with the skills they might need in a constantly evolving job market, in an attempt to foster entrepreneurship and innovation.”
Prateek Maheshwari, Co-Founder, PhysicsWallah (PW) said, “Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu’s unwavering commitment and unparalleled speed in driving progress make Andhra Pradesh the ideal partner for visionary projects like University of Innovation. His proactive approach and decisive leadership has helped PW take the first step to establish a role model higher education institution born out of collaborative efforts between the government, academia and industry.”
On the occasion of signing of the MoU, Deborah Quazzo, Managing Partner at GSV Ventures said, “At GSV, we are attempting to foster initiatives that could help bridge the gap between education and industry. To establish the University of Innovation is a step towards our belief in the power of deep-tech and AI to shape learning. This collaboration is an attempt towards creating a model for innovation in education on a wider scale.”
The establishment of the University of Innovation reflects the shared viewpoint of GoAP and PW, a joint statement said. The University will also attempt to leverage technology, including AI-driven tools and adaptive learning platforms, to ensure personalised learning experiences for all students. This partnership is a step towards attempting to help the youth acquire industry relevant skills and in-turn assist them acquire necessary skills needed.
