Udupi: The Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence is set to be inaugurated at Dr. T.M.A. Pai Polytechnic auditorium in Manipal on August 26 at 10 am, announced Brigadier Surjit Pabla, President of the Manipal Skill Development Center (MSDC), at a press conference.

Global collaboration for AI innovation

The initiative is a joint effort by MSDC, Vision Digital India, Intel, and Global AI Society, aiming to make Manipal a hub for AI education, research, and industry collaboration.

Chief guests will include:

  • T.G. Sitaram, President of AICTE

  • Seong Boon New, Vice President of Intel Asia Pacific

  • Umberto Sulpaspo, University of Southern California, USA

  • L. Kwan, President of Asia AI Association

    • H.S. Ballal, Co-Chancellor of MAHE, and Tonse Sachin Pai, Managing Trustee of Dr. T.M.A. Pai Foundation, will also be present.

    Features and objectives of the centre

    The AI Center of Excellence will feature:

    • Modern AI laboratories and digital classrooms

  • Industry-based curriculum aligned with global standards

  • Collaborative research opportunities with international partners

    • Brigadier Pabla emphasised that the centre would focus on inclusive education, particularly in healthcare and agriculture, with outreach to rural areas through initiatives such as AI Wheels.

    Vision for the future

    “This centre is not just about high-end research; it is about bringing AI to real-life applications that can transform society,” Pabla said.

    He was accompanied at the press conference by Harikrishna Maram, Rajalakshmi, and Anjaiah, who echoed the centre’s potential to position Manipal as a leader in AI innovation.