Lucknow: With the inauguration of Uttar Pradesh’s first Centre for Green Skills & Applied AI at the University of Lucknow, students will now have access to training in artificial intelligence (AI) and green technologies. The Centre, launched on July 17, aims to prepare students and young professionals with practical skills in artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability and green technologies.
The Centre has been set up by the 1M1B Foundation (One Million for One Billion) in partnership with Microsoft, MeitY Startup Hub, and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. It was inaugurated by Prof. Jai Prakash Saini, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lucknow, in the presence of Manav Subodh, Founder and CEO of 1M1B Foundation, Aneesha Avrachan, Programme Manager – CSR at Microsoft, and Prof. (Dr.) Puneet Misra, Head of the University’s Computer Science Department.
Uttar Pradesh IT and Electronics Minister Sunil Kumar Sharma, who joined the event through a video message, said the Centre would help young people gain practical skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and green technologies, and prepare them for future jobs.
The Centre will train students to use AI to solve real-life problems related to climate change, clean energy and sustainability. Instead of focusing only on classroom lessons, it will also provide hands-on training with the help of dedicated learning zones for solar energy, electric vehicles (EVs), wind energy and Applied AI. This will give students the practical experience alongside technical knowledge.
Students will work on industry projects, innovation challenges and real-life problem-solving exercises in sectors such as renewable energy, climate resilience, manufacturing, agriculture, electric mobility and the circular economy. The programme will also offer internships, entrepreneurship support, incubation opportunities and employer engagement activities so that the learner’s transition is done properly into the workforce.
The Lucknow Centre is the third of five Centres for Green Skills & Applied AI being established across the country by 1M1B Foundation and Microsoft in collaboration with MeitY Startup Hub. Similar centres have already been launched in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, while Noida and Shillong will be the next locations.
Together, these five centres will engage one lakh youth by 2030. In the first year, the programme plans to train 20,000 learners, connect 10,000 participants with jobs, internships and apprenticeships, and support the development of 50 AI-powered climate innovation projects. The Lucknow Centre alone is expected to train more than 5,000 young people during its first year.
Speaking at the inauguration, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jai Prakash Saini said the Centre would strengthen the university’s commitment to innovation and future-focused education. He said the Centre also supports the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by giving students practical learning opportunities and helping them build the skills which are actually required for careers in fast-growing sectors such as AI, clean energy and sustainability.
Manju Dhasmana, Senior Director – Elevate CSR at Microsoft, said the Centre is part of Microsoft’s efforts to support Uttar Pradesh in preparing for an AI-driven future. She said it will help young people develop skills in AI and green technologies so they can find better job opportunities while also working on solutions to climate and environmental challenges.
Manav Subodh, Founder and CEO of 1M1B Foundation, said India’s future in AI will depend on young people who know how to use the technology in different industries. He said the Lucknow Centre will train youth with skills needed in sectors like clean energy, manufacturing and sustainability, while also opening up more job and entrepreneurship opportunities.
As industries increasingly look for professionals with skills in AI and green technologies, the Centre is expected to help prepare Uttar Pradesh’s youth for future job opportunities.
