MAHE Launches Five Microsoft Labs to Accelerate AI Learning and Innovation
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, has partnered with Microsoft to strengthen artificial intelligence (AI), digital learning, and innovation across its academic ecosystem. The strategic collaboration will establish Microsoft Labs across five MAHE constituent institutions, providing students and faculty with opportunities for hands-on learning, experimentation, interdisciplinary research, and industry engagement.
Five Microsoft Labs to Accelerate AI Learning and Innovation
The Microsoft Labs will be established at T A Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), Manipal; T A Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), Bengaluru; Manipal School of Commerce and Economics (MSCE), Manipal; Manipal Institute of Commerce, Finance and Economics (MICFE), Bengaluru; and Manipal Law School (MLS), Bengaluru.
The labs will provide access to AI and other emerging digital technologies, creating dedicated spaces where students and faculty can move beyond theoretical learning to practical application. The initiative will support experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, research, and innovation, while strengthening industry-academia engagement and helping learners connect academic knowledge with evolving industry needs and real-world challenges.
Leadership and Industry Engagement
The launch event brought together senior leadership from MAHE, Microsoft, and Hitachi Systems India, including Mr Puneet Chandok, President and CEO of Microsoft India and South Asia; Mr Raj Kamal Singhal, CEO of Hitachi Systems India; and Mr Venkat Krishnan, Executive Director, Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd. The event was chaired by Dr Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor, MAHE.
The two-day programme featured interactions between Microsoft and Hitachi Systems India leadership and the MAHE community. Discussions explored emerging opportunities in artificial intelligence, digital education, research, and the development of future-ready skills.
As part of the programme, MAHE also hosted a panel discussion, “Beyond the Hype: How AI Is Reshaping Work, Business, and Society.” The discussion examined the growing influence of AI across workplaces, businesses, education, and society, while emphasising the importance of responsible adoption, ethical considerations, and future-ready capabilities.
Building a Future-Ready Learning Ecosystem
Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE, said, “MAHE has always believed in staying ahead of change rather than reacting to it. The launch of these AI Labs, in partnership with Microsoft and Hitachi, is a continuation of that founding vision, building an institution where innovation and ethics advance together.”
Dr Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, said, “The MAHE–Microsoft Partnership marks an important step in our journey towards creating a technology-enabled and future-ready higher education ecosystem. Artificial intelligence and cloud technologies are transforming the way we learn, work, and innovate, and it is essential that our students and faculty engage with these technologies through meaningful, hands-on experiences. The establishment of Microsoft Labs across five of our constituent institutions will strengthen opportunities for experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, research, and innovation.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Puneet Chandok, President and CEO, Microsoft India and South Asia, said, “India’s young talent has the potential to shape the next wave of AI-led innovation, and partnerships between academia and industry are critical to unlocking that potential. Our collaboration with MAHE will bring students and faculty closer to the technologies, tools, and skills that are shaping the future of work. The Microsoft Labs across five MAHE institutions will provide a platform for hands-on learning, experimentation, and innovation, helping learners move beyond understanding AI to applying it responsibly to solve real-world challenges.”
Mr Raj Kamal Singhal, CEO, Hitachi Systems India, said, “The convergence of technology, education, and industry is essential to building the workforce and solutions needed for a rapidly evolving digital economy. We are pleased to be part of this initiative with MAHE and Microsoft, which brings together academic expertise and industry capabilities to create meaningful opportunities for learning and innovation. As AI and cloud technologies continue to transform businesses, initiatives such as these can help students develop practical skills, embrace continuous learning, and apply technology to address problems.”
He added, “As AI rapidly moves from experimentation to real-world application, building the right combination of technology capabilities, practical skills and industry understanding will be critical. Our association with MAHE and Microsoft provides an opportunity to bring industry perspectives closer to academia and help students understand how emerging technologies can address real business and societal challenges. At Hitachi Systems India, we believe such collaborations can play an important role in developing future-ready talent while fostering responsible and meaningful technology-led innovation.”
Advancing AI and Digital Innovation at MAHE
The MAHE-Microsoft partnership represents a significant step towards expanding technology-enabled education and innovation across the university. By bringing together academic expertise, industry knowledge, and access to emerging technologies, the Microsoft Labs will create new avenues for experiential learning, research, and collaboration.
The initiative is designed to equip students and faculty with the practical skills, technological exposure, and interdisciplinary perspectives needed to navigate an increasingly AI-driven global economy, while encouraging the responsible and meaningful application of emerging technologies.
