metro india news  I amaravati

Andhra Pradesh is fast emerging as a frontrunner in India’s education and innovation reform, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) from the high school level and building partnerships with global institutions to prepare its youth for the future. State Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics Nara Lokesh, currently on an official visit to Australia, held a series of strategic meetings aimed at transforming Andhra Pradesh into a hub for education, technology, aquaculture, and sports infrastructure.

Addressing an education roundtable at the Queensland Trade & Investment Centre, Lokesh announced that Andhra Pradesh will introduce AI curriculum from high school to equip students with 21st-century skills. The state is setting up AI, STEM, and Robotics labs across higher secondary schools and plans to establish a dedicated AI University to nurture future-ready talent. “Our goal is to ensure Andhra Pradesh’s youth are prepared to seize opportunities emerging from the global AI revolution,” Lokesh said, adding that AI is already delivering impactful results in governance, education, and healthcare in the state.

During the session, attended by top Australian education officials including Mark Harvey (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Queensland) and Neetu Bhagotia (Consul General of India, Brisbane), Lokesh highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to aligning education with international standards.

In another key meeting, Lokesh met Populous Architects, the firm behind iconic structures like the Sardar Patel Stadium (Ahmedabad) and London Olympic Stadium. He urged the company to provide design blueprints for developing Andhra Pradesh as a “Sports Hub”, featuring energy-efficient, sustainable stadiums and integrated sports and entertainment facilities. “Under Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s vision, we aim to create world-class sports infrastructure that boosts tourism and the local economy,” Lokesh said.

Lokesh also met Prof. Cal Zenger of James Cook University to discuss collaboration in aquaculture genetics and sustainable fisheries. He invited the university to support Andhra’s shrimp and fish farming sectors with advanced genetic tools, AI-based monitoring, and water-recycling technologies to improve productivity and sustainability.

Earlier, during a business roundtable at the Indian Consulate in Brisbane, Lokesh pitched Andhra Pradesh as India’s gateway for global investment, citing the state’s ₹10 lakh crore inflows in 16 months and landmark deals such as Google’s ₹1.33 lakh crore AI hub in Visakhapatnam.

The minister also proposed setting up a Griffith University India Centre in Andhra Pradesh to promote academic exchange, dual-degree programs, and research collaboration in sustainability and innovation.