1M1B, MeitY Startup Hub And Microsoft Launch Green Skills & Applied AI Centre Of Excellence In Noida

Noida, Uttar Pradesh, November 2, 2026: The Government of Uttar Pradesh, along with 1M1B Foundation (One Million for One Billion), MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) and Microsoft, inaugurated the Green Skills & Applied AI Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Gautam Buddha University (GBU), Noida, on November 2, 2026. The Centre will focus on equipping young people with practical skills in applied Artificial Intelligence (AI), green manufacturing, sustainability and emerging technologies, preparing them for opportunities in Uttar Pradesh’s expanding industrial and technology ecosystem.

The inauguration took place in the distinguished presence of Shri Sunil Kumar Sharma, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister for IT & Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh; Prof. Rana Pratap Singh, Vice Chancellor, Gautam Buddha University; Prof. Rajeev Varshney, Dean, Gautam Buddha University; Manav Subodh, Founder & Chief Mentor, 1M1B Foundation; and other senior government, academic and industry representatives along with young changemakers.

Preparing Youth For The Future Of Green Manufacturing

As Uttar Pradesh strengthens its position as a destination for manufacturing, electronics, emerging technologies and industrial investment, the demand for talent with a combination of digital, technical and sustainability skills is growing. The Noida Centre of Excellence aims to bridge this skills gap by connecting young people with practical learning experiences and industry-relevant applications of AI and green technologies.

The Centre will focus on the role of applied AI in enabling sustainable manufacturing, including opportunities to improve energy and resource efficiency, optimise industrial processes, reduce waste, strengthen quality control and support data-driven decision-making. Through hands-on learning and industry engagement, participants will explore how technology can help businesses improve productivity while reducing their environmental footprint.

The initiative will also introduce young people to green skills and emerging technologies relevant to sustainable industrial operations, renewable energy, electric mobility and resource-efficient production. By combining technical learning with exposure to real-world applications, the Centre aims to help participants build capabilities relevant to evolving industry requirements and future career pathways.

From Skills To Sustainable Industrial Solutions

The Noida CoE will bring together applied AI, green skills and practical innovation to help young people move beyond theoretical learning and develop solutions to real-world challenges.

Participants will have opportunities to explore AI applications, work on innovation-led projects and engage with industry professionals through mentoring and other industry-linked activities. The Centre will also seek to connect learning with internships, employment opportunities and entrepreneurship, helping young people understand how their skills can translate into meaningful careers.

Located at Gautam Buddha University, the Centre will contribute to building a talent pipeline that supports the region’s manufacturing and technology ecosystem while encouraging youth-led innovation in sustainability and climate action.

Leadership Perspectives

Shri Sunil Kumar Sharma, Hon’ble Minister for IT & Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh, said: “We aim to utilise the Green Skills and Applied AI CoE to develop a future-ready workforce. As India emerges as both a major consumer and producer in technology and AI, our young generation must make the most of this platform to innovate, develop industry-relevant products and align their skills with industry needs. Our vision is not just to create job seekers, but to nurture job creators and entrepreneurs who can drive the growth of the state and the nation.”

Manju Dhasmana, Senior Director- Elevate CSR, Microsoft, said: “Microsoft is honoured to deepen our partnership with the Government of Uttar Pradesh through the launch of our second Centre of Excellence for Green Skills & Applied AI in Noida, as the state advances its vision for an AI-forward and future-ready economy. The Centre will help young people build practical capabilities in Applied AI and Green Skills, connecting learning and skilling with emerging opportunities across Uttar Pradesh’s growing technology and manufacturing ecosystem. This reflects Microsoft Elevate’s focus on AI + Jobs: helping ensure that as AI transforms industries and the nature of work, more young people have the skills, pathways and opportunities to participate meaningfully in the evolving economy.”

Manav Subodh, Founder and Chief Mentor, 1M1B Foundation, said: “The future of manufacturing will be shaped not only by technological advancement but also by how responsibly we use our resources. Through the Green Skills & Applied AI Centre of Excellence in Noida, we aim to help young people understand how AI and sustainability can work together to transform industrial practices. By combining hands-on learning, green skills and industry engagement, we want to prepare youth to develop practical solutions for green manufacturing and access emerging career opportunities. Our focus is to move from skills to solutions and from solutions to meaningful opportunities for young people.”

Expanding India’s Network Of Green Skills & Applied AI Centres Of Excellence

The Noida Centre is part of a national network of five Green Skills & Applied AI Centres of Excellence being established by 1M1B Foundation and Microsoft, in collaboration with MeitY Startup Hub. With Centres in Bengaluru, Lucknow, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, the Noida facility will further expand access to applied AI, climate innovation and future-ready skills.

The national network aims to engage 100,000 young people in Applied AI and Green Skills by 2030, connecting skills development with industry exposure and pathways to employment, internships and entrepreneurship.

Microsoft will support the Centres through AI technologies, digital learning resources, employee mentorship, innovation challenges and capacity-building under its CSR programme, while 1M1B Foundation will lead implementation and management.

Through its focus on green manufacturing and applied AI, the Noida CoE will contribute to the broader effort to develop a workforce capable of supporting sustainable industrial growth and technology-led innovation.

About 1M1B (One Million For One Billion)

1M1B (One Million for One Billion) is a United Nations–accredited non-profit founded by Manav Subodh that has spent the past decade mobilising and skilling young people to drive large-scale social and environmental impact.

With programmes running in 5,000+ schools and colleges, 25,000+ teachers trained, and 900,000+ youth skilled, 1M1B is building India's future-ready AI and Green Skills talent with a strong focus on Tier 3 towns and rural India. 1M1B's Job Melas and placement drives have achieved a 70% employment rate, directly connecting rural youth to meaningful livelihoods.

At the global stage, 1M1B is showcasing India's soft power by transforming the country's youth dividend into a climate dividend and an AI dividend. Through the Youth Climate Diplomacy 2026 programme, 1M1B is creating a new wave of Climate Fellows to advocate for keeping global warming under 1.5°C, culminating at the 1M1B Impact Summit at the United Nations in Geneva in November 2026.