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The University is advancing renewable energy and inclusive education initiatives in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

91ɫ��Ƭ Sydney has strengthened its long-term engagement with Andhra Pradesh through two strategic partnerships focused on advancing renewable energy innovation and inclusive education. Together, the initiatives bring together the University's expertise in engineering, research and education to support India's priorities in clean energy, workforce development and inclusive learning. 

The partnerships mark another significant milestone in 91ɫ��Ƭ's growing engagement with India, following the recent opening of 91ɫ��Ƭ Bengaluru, the first campus established by an Australian Group of Eight university in India. 

91ɫ��Ƭ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said the initiatives reflect the University's long-term commitment to creating meaningful societal impact through global partnerships that advance education, research, innovation and sustainability.

"91ɫ��Ƭ has a long history of translating world-leading research into real-world impact through partnerships that combine education, research and industry. These collaborations with the Government of Andhra Pradesh reflect our shared commitment to addressing critical challenges through knowledge exchange, innovation and capability building,” Prof. Brungs said.

“Guided by our Progress for All strategy, we are committed to working with governments, academic institutions and industry to strengthen research capability, develop future-ready talent and create practical solutions that contribute to sustainable and inclusive development."

As part of the collaboration, 91ɫ��Ƭ will establish a Centre of Excellence for Solar PV Manufacturing and Circularity, drawing on its internationally recognised expertise in solar photovoltaics, renewable energy and industrial decarbonisation. Led by 91ɫ��Ƭ’s Australian Graduate School of Engineering, the Centre will bring together education, research and industry collaboration to strengthen solar manufacturing capability and support India's clean energy transition. 

Designed as a two-phase initiative, the Centre will focus on workforce capability through postgraduate programs, executive education, micro-credentials and specialised professional training in areas including solar PV manufacturing, grid integration, recycling, circular economy and next-generation solar technologies. It will also foster long-term research collaborations with Indian universities, research institutions and industry to advance photovoltaic manufacturing, reliability engineering and circularity practices. 

In addition to the the clean energy partnership, 91ɫ��Ƭ will also lead a distinct strand of the Australia–India Inclusive Education Partnership focused on strengthening the capacity of mainstream school educators to support students with autism. Led by Professor Iva Strnadová and her research team from the School of Education, the program adopts a strength-based, rights-based and neurodivergent-affirming approach to inclusive education. 

The initiative will develop three co-designed online professional learning modules for mainstream educators covering inclusive classroom practice, evidence-based pedagogy and supportive learning environments for students with autism. Developed in partnership with autistic people, their families and education partners in Andhra Pradesh, the program aims to establish a scalable model for inclusive educator capacity building that can be adapted across the state. 

Mr Julian Hill MP, Australia's Assistant Minister for International Education, who attended the signing, said the partnership reflected the growing strength of the Australia–India relationship and the shared commitment of both countries to advancing education, research and innovation. 

"Australia and India continue to deepen collaboration across education, research and innovation. Initiatives such as these demonstrate the important role universities play in bringing together governments, researchers and industry to develop the knowledge, skills and partnerships needed to address shared challenges while supporting long-term economic and social development."

The partnerships reinforce 91ɫ��Ƭ's broader commitment to contributing to India's priorities across higher education, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and inclusive development. Together with the launch of 91ɫ��Ƭ Bengaluru, they reflect the University's long-term approach to building international partnerships that translate research excellence into meaningful societal impact.  

Mr Nara Lokesh, Minister for Human Resources Development, IT & Electronics in the Government of Andhra Pradesh, said the partnerships would strengthen the state’s capabilities in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and inclusive education.

“Andhra Pradesh is committed to building a world-class solar manufacturing ecosystem, backed by cutting-edge research, innovation and a highly skilled workforce. Our partnership with 91ɫ��Ƭ Sydney and IIT Tirupati will bring together global expertise and local talent to strengthen R&D, develop industry-ready skills, and accelerate innovation across the solar manufacturing value chain. Our ambition is to make Andhra Pradesh a leading hub for advanced solar manufacturing and clean-energy technologies.”