Andhra University to establish centres of excellence in quantum tech, AI, semiconductors

Andhra University plans to establish Centres of Excellence in quantum technology, AI systems and semiconductors, Vice-Chancellor G.P. Raja Sekhar announced on Tuesday. He was speaking at the inauguration of the three-day international conference on Quantum-Enhanced Sustainable Technologies for AI Systems (QUEST-AI), organised by the cluster departments of Andhra University College of Engineering (A) in Visakhapatnam.

Mr. Raja Sekhar said that following the conclusion of Andhra University's centenary celebrations, the institution is now focusing on quality developmental activities. He expressed hope that the conference deliberations would encourage the university to establish three specialised laboratories over the next two to three years. Stressing that research in quantum technology and artificial intelligence should not remain confined to theory, he said it must be translated into solutions of practical use to society.

In the inaugural address, K.N. Satyanarayana, Director of IIT Tirupati, said the Union government has launched the National Quantum Mission with an outlay of ₹6,000 crore. He noted that quantum computing would not replace classical computing; instead, a hybrid model where the two work together is more likely. Mr. Satyanarayana said Andhra Pradesh has an opportunity to build not merely a quantum valley but an integrated quantum-AI ecosystem, drawing together the government, academic institutions, industry, start-ups and partners such as IBM and TCS.

Connecting the theme to Visakhapatnam, Mr. Satyanarayana pointed out that the city is seeing the growth of data centres. “To drive AI, we need data centres,” he said. He also drew attention to the fact that such facilities consume large quantities of energy and water, making sustainability a central aspect of the discussion.

Marwan Dhamrin, Professor at the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Japan, called for closer research collaboration between India and Japan. He stated that it was time for India to build what industry calls “a vertically integrated society for semiconductors and AI.”

Nabil Mohammed, Lecturer in Electrical Engineering at Federation University, Australia, emphasised that clean energy and data centres would have to develop side by side. “The challenge is how we can generate more electricity from sustainable resources to power these future data centres,” he said.

Gregory J. Skulmoski, Associate Professor of Project Management at Bond University, Australia, said India was well placed to address the global shortage of skilled professionals in quantum technologies.

K. Venkata Subbaiah, Principal of AUCE (A), welcomed the guests. Conference chair V. Valli Kumari, Dean (R&D) and Head of the Department of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, said about 60 papers had been selected for presentation across the technical departments, with around 300 participants. The conference, organised with RUSA 2.0 funding, was the first of its scale involving the cluster departments and would be held annually, she added.