AP, Australia Sign Four Strategic MoUs to Strengthen Clean Energy, Education and Skill Development

The Andhra Pradesh Government and Australia have signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to deepen cooperation in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, inclusive education, student mental health and skill development. The agreements are expected to strengthen collaboration in research, innovation, industry-focused training and renewable energy while creating new opportunities for students, educators and professionals.

The MoUs were signed in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education, IT and Electronics Nara Lokesh and Australia's Assistant Minister for International Education, Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill.

Speaking at the event, Nara Lokesh said the partnerships were the outcome of discussions held during his Australia visit in October 2025 with leading universities, research institutions, industry representatives and government officials. He said the agreements would expand cooperation in education, research, innovation, employment generation and skill development. Lokesh added that Andhra Pradesh had showcased its investment potential during the visit and invited Australian universities and industries to collaborate with the state.

Under the first MoU, the Centre of Excellence for Energy Transition, IIT Tirupati and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, will establish a Centre of Excellence for Solar Manufacturing at IIT Tirupati. The facility will focus on advanced solar photovoltaic manufacturing, solar panel recycling, circular economy practices, technology commercialisation, faculty development and industry-oriented research. UNSW will also provide technical expertise in solar cell manufacturing, device physics, reliability engineering, recycling technologies, safety, ingot manufacturing and wafering technologies.

The second MoU, involving UNSW, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV) and Samagra Shiksha Andhra Pradesh, aims to strengthen inclusive education by providing specialised teacher training, professional development and modern teaching resources for children with autism and other neurodiverse learning needs.

The third agreement was signed between the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) and Australian organisation Rebound to launch a free technology-enabled pilot programme for student mental health. Selected higher educational institutions will offer confidential mental health services, wellness assessment tools and virtual counselling support.

The fourth MoU brings together the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) and Dynamic Learning Services Australia to provide industry-aligned vocational training, globally recognised professional certifications and skill development programmes that enhance international employment opportunities.

Separately, Julian Hill led an Australian delegation to meet Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, where discussions focused on Andhra Pradesh's economic transformation, industrial growth, investment opportunities and key development initiatives. The Chief Minister felicitated the visiting minister with a traditional shawl and presented Araku Coffee along with a commemorative memento. The government expressed confidence that these partnerships would help position Andhra Pradesh as a global hub for renewable energy, research, innovation and advanced skill development.