Collaboration on AI, Tourism, Health, and Education gains momentum

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh’s Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics Nara Lokesh continued his official tour of Australia on Thursday with a series of high-level meetings aimed at forging global academic, technological, and industrial partnerships to accelerate the state’s development goals. During the fifth day of his visit, Lokesh met with leaders from the University of Melbourne, Victoria’s Tourism and Sports Ministry, University of Tasmania, and British multinational Bupa, focusing on collaboration in emerging technologies, renewable energy, tourism branding, health innovation, and education reforms.

At the University of Melbourne, Lokesh discussed joint research in quantum technology, AI, cybersecurity, and IoT-based skill development. Welcoming him, Vice-Chancellor Professor Emma Johnston highlighted the university’s strong global standing and its deep partnerships with Indian institutions. Lokesh urged the university to partner with Andhra Pradesh in establishing research centers on renewable energy, agriculture, and health, and to support digital health solutions and smart city planning in the state.

In a meeting with Victoria’s Minister for Environment, Tourism, and Sports Steve Dimopoulos, Lokesh sought Victoria’s expertise in heritage and coastal tourism, suggesting joint branding initiatives inspired by Australia’s “Great Ocean Road.” He proposed collaboration in eco-certification, carbon-neutral tourism, and circular economy projects, while also advocating for joint cricket and hockey training camps, student exchanges in sports science, and adventure tourism development in Araku and Pulicat.

Later, during discussions with representatives of the University of Tasmania, Lokesh explored cooperation in pharmacy and paramedical curriculum development, urging alignment with international accreditation standards. He proposed joint research on rural healthcare and water supply, along with student and faculty exchange programs for Andhra’s nursing and pharmacy students. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Natalie Brown noted that UTAS ranks among the top 2% of global universities, hosting over 15,000 international students, including 1,500 from India.

Concluding the day, Lokesh met Bupa Asia-Pacific COO Bijal Sejpal, requesting the establishment of a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Visakhapatnam, one of India’s fastest-growing IT and data hubs. He also invited Bupa to collaborate with the Andhra government on rural digital healthcare initiatives. Sejpal, whose firm serves 38 million customers across 190 countries, assured a positive review of the proposal.

Minister Lokesh’s Australia visit is emerging as a catalyst for Andhra Pradesh’s global partnerships in education, technology, tourism, and health, reinforcing his vision of positioning the state as a hub for innovation and international collaboration.