Microsoft, 1M1B Launch Green Skills and Applied AI Centre in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, October 29, 2026: The Government of Gujarat, through the Gujarat Knowledge Society (GKS), has partnered with 1M1B Foundation, MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) and Microsoft to establish the Green Skills & Applied AI Centre of Excellence (CoE) at L.D. College of Engineering in Navrangpura, Ahmedabad. The centre aims to equip young people with skills in applied artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability and emerging technologies to support Gujarat’s growing semiconductor and advanced manufacturing ecosystem.
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; Manav Subodh, Founder and Chief Mentor, 1M1B Foundation; and Dr. Nilay N. Bhupatani, Principal, L.D. College of Engineering, along with government and industry representatives and young changemakers.
The centre is part of a three-year partnership between the Government of Gujarat, through GKS, and 1M1B Foundation. The partnership aims to train and engage up to three lakh young people in applied AI, green skills, sustainability and emerging technologies.
The initiative aligns with efforts to connect technology education with practical applications and emerging employment opportunities. As semiconductor investments develop in Dholera and Sanand, the centre will focus on preparing participants for roles linked to green semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and advanced technologies.
Training in Green Manufacturing and Emerging Technologies
The CoE will offer hands-on learning in applied AI, solar energy, electric vehicles and wind energy. It will also introduce participants to sustainable manufacturing practices relevant to the semiconductor industry, including energy and resource efficiency, responsible water management, waste reduction and environmentally conscious production.
The programme will explore how applied AI and emerging technologies can support industrial process optimisation, quality control, resource efficiency and more sustainable operations. Industry engagement, including mentoring, internships and potential employment opportunities with semiconductor and electronics companies, will also form part of the initiative.
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.”
Expansion of National Centre Network
The Ahmedabad facility is part of a network of five Green Skills & Applied AI Centres of Excellence being established by 1M1B Foundation and Microsoft in collaboration with MeitY Startup Hub. Centres have already been launched in Bengaluru, Lucknow and Hyderabad, while the fifth centre is scheduled to open in Noida the following week.
The network aims to engage 100,000 young people in applied AI and green skills by 2030, linking training with industry exposure and potential pathways to employment, internships and entrepreneurship.
Microsoft will support the centres through AI technologies, digital learning resources, employee mentorship, innovation challenges and capacity-building initiatives under its corporate social responsibility programme. 1M1B Foundation will lead implementation and management.
The Ahmedabad centre is intended to strengthen access to practical technology and sustainability training as Gujarat develops its semiconductor, electronics and advanced manufacturing sectors.
