In a significant step toward strengthening India’s digital and innovation ecosystem, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Mr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday inaugurated a Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence, Skill Development, and Innovation at Graphic Era University, Dehradun.
The facility is not only a major leap forward for Uttarakhand’s tech landscape but also aligns seamlessly with national initiatives like Digital India, Startup India, and Skill India.
A Technological Milestone for Uttarakhand
Spread over 1.5 lakh square feet, the centre is now Uttarakhand’s first NVIDIA AI and High-Performance Computing (HPC) hub, powered by a cutting-edge NVIDIA DGX B200 system with eight GPUs and 1.74 TB of GPU memory.
Built at a cost of over Rs. 10 crore, the centre is expected to revolutionize research, training, and entrepreneurship in crucial sectors such as:
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
- Environment
- Smart Cities
- Advanced Manufacturing
Industry Partnerships and Apple iOS Development Centre
The facility also features a dedicated Apple iOS Development Centre, established in collaboration with Apple and Infosys, underscoring the university’s commitment to global tech integration and real-world application.
These facilities are aimed at enhancing hands-on skill development and giving students industry-ready training in future-facing technologies like app development, AI integration, and cloud computing.
Ethical Innovation Is the Future, Says Union Minister
While addressing students and faculty, Mr. Singh highlighted the transformative power of AI, especially in initiatives like AI-enabled telemedicine vans that bring healthcare to remote areas. However, he cautioned that technological advancement must be guided by integrity and ethics.
“AI can create miracles if used judiciously, but without integrity it can also be misused, as seen in the rise of deepfakes and misinformation,” Mr. Singh said.
He further emphasized that ethical innovation is key to meeting the expectations of a digitally empowered society.
India’s Digital Growth: From Late Adopter to Global Leader
Mr. Singh drew attention to India’s rapid digital evolution—from being a late adopter in fields like television to emerging as a global leader in space missions and quantum computing.
He reiterated the need to strengthen collaboration between academic institutions, industries, and startups, stating this synergy is crucial to achieving long-term innovation and sustaining India’s digital transformation.
Graphic Era University: India’s First Generative AI-Ready Campus
Graphic Era University, a NAAC A+ accredited and NIRF 2025 Rank 48 institution, has now become India’s first Generative AI-ready campus, powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS).
This technological upgrade will allow students and researchers to work with cloud-based generative AI tools, offering practical exposure and contributing to India’s rapidly growing AI talent pool.
The inauguration of this state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence in Dehradun is a landmark moment for Uttarakhand and India’s tech-enabled development goals. By combining cutting-edge research, skill-building platforms, and ethical guidance, the centre is poised to serve as a national model for how AI and innovation can empower a digitally inclusive future.
