Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh Hosts ‘UP AI Synergy Conclave 2025’, Brings Key Stakeholders Together to Shape India’s AI Future

Uttar Pradesh is on a mission to become a global AI and IT hub, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India’s AI leadership. To accelerate this goal, Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh hosted the “UP AI Synergy Conclave 2025,” bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, AI experts, and academia.

The event saw participation from UP Minister Kapil Dev Aggarwal, Chandigarh University Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu, and over 30 CEOs, Founders, and AI experts, including Varun Agarwal, Founder at Change Engine, Dr. Shailesh Kumar, Chief Data Scientist, CoE AI/ML at Reliance Jio, Dr. Abhilasha Gaur, CEO at Nasscom, Maya Sherman, AI Expert, GPAI, Umesh Kataria, AVP at EXL Digital, Rishabh Nag, Co-Founder at Humanli.AI, Aman Singal, Head of Digital & Analytics (DnA CoE) at JK Tyre & Industries Ltd, Suchit Mujumdar, Co-founder at Accredian, Nirmal Vatsyayan, Head - Research and AI at HROne, Nandan Mishra, CEO & Co-founder at Algo8, Abhishek Srivastava, Founder at MBAtrek Pvt. Ltd, CP Joshi, CEO at ixamBee, Saumya Shukla, Co-founder of Dectrocel Health Care and Research Pvt Ltd, Shailendra Nath Jha, Co-Founder and Director of Product & Strategy at Change Engine, Varun Agarwal, Founder of Change Engine, Kuldeep Yadav, SVP at AI Labs SHL, Alok Tiwari, Country Head at group.one, Ashish Kumar, Service Delivery Manager at TCS.

Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh signed multiple MoUs with leading tech companies to enhance skill training, campus placements, and industry collaborations. Experts praised the university for integrating industry insights into its academic framework even before launching its first batch in 2025-26.

The conclave aimed to bridge the gap between education and industry, preparing students for AI-driven careers. Industry leaders emphasized that these collaborations would shape future-ready professionals through curriculum development, workshops, and mentorship. Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh has set a strong foundation for AI excellence, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and practical learning.

₹2500 Crore Investment at Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh to Boost Opportunities for UP Students: Minister Kapil Dev Agarwal

UP Minister Kapil Dev Agarwal emphasized that Chandigarh University Lucknow’s ₹2500 crore investment will create significant opportunities for students, particularly from Uttar Pradesh. Speaking at the UP AI Synergy Conclave 2025, he highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of positioning India as a global AI leader, as seen in his AI presentations in France and the US.

He praised PM Modi’s efforts in making India globally competitive despite challenges like terrorism and poverty, stating that India must think big to achieve big. The UP government is actively collaborating with Tata to enhance skill development and ensure a skilled workforce for industries. Additionally, a 170-acre AI hub is being developed in Lucknow to drive technological advancements.

Agarwal reiterated PM Modi’s goal of making India a $5 trillion economy, stressing the need for skilled youth who are not just job seekers but job providers. He credited MP and CU Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu for establishing Chandigarh University Lucknow, which will play a key role in shaping the future of AI and empowering students with industry-relevant skills

Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh to Revolutionize AI-Integrated Education: MP & Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu

MP and Chandigarh University Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu emphasized India's growing global prominence, citing the Mahakumbh Mela's record 40 crore visitors and the UP government's commendable arrangements. He pledged AI-driven solutions for future events, with Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh leading the way.

Highlighting AI’s transformative power, he noted India’s ₹10,000 crore investment in AI and UP’s ₹1,000 crore AI hub. He thanked CM Yogi Adityanath for fostering AI development in the state.

Sandhu praised PM Modi’s leadership in global AI discussions, including co-chairing the AI Action Summit in Paris and securing India’s Presidency for the Global AI Summit. He announced the launch of the India AI Foundation to drive AI innovation in line with PM Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat.

With one of the world’s largest AI talent pools, India must focus on skilling and reskilling for an AI-driven future. Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh is leading this change with India’s first AI-integrated campus, pioneering AI-augmented multidisciplinary education.

India Must Invest in Next-Gen AI for Global Leadership: Change Engine Founder Varun Agarwal

Speaking at the UP AI Synergy Conclave 2025, Varun Agarwal, Founder of Change Engine, emphasized the need for India to think ahead in AI rather than just catching up. While countries like China and the US are leading in AI models, India must strategically invest in future technologies to stay competitive.

He highlighted challenges with current AI models like ChatGPT, including hallucination, fact fabrication, and high energy consumption. Instead of replicating existing AI models, India must anticipate the next leap in AI advancements.

Agarwal stressed the importance of AI integration across industries and praised Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh for pioneering AI in education. He also acknowledged the Indian government’s success with digital innovations like UPI, urging similar adoption of AI in governance.

He called for faster AI diffusion across startups, education, and government to create a competitive advantage. The UP AI Synergy Conclave, he said, will help shape a new vision for Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh, the government, and India's AI-driven future.

India Leading AI Roadmap, Global Interest in Scaling Responsible AI: Maya Sherman

Maya Sherman, renowned Science & Technology Diplomat and AI policy expert, highlighted India’s leadership in responsible AI under PM Narendra Modi, impacting education, healthcare, and communities. She noted that India’s presidency of G-20, chairing of GPAI, and the upcoming AI Safety Institute are shaping global AI policies.

Sherman emphasized that India’s role in the AI Summit proves its growing influence in the global AI landscape. The nation’s strong startup ecosystem and evolving regulations are paving the way for a vibrant AI-driven future.

Speaking at the UP AI Synergy Conclave 2025, she praised Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh for pioneering AI-integrated education. She emphasized that the university’s AI-augmented campus will help students gain hands-on AI experience, preparing them for future challenges.

She called the Conclave a key initiative to shape AI’s future, noting that not all universities offer such advanced AI learning opportunities. Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh, she said, is setting a new benchmark in AI education.

India on Path to Becoming Global Workforce Leader: Nasscom CEO Dr. Abhilasha Gaur

Abhilasha Gaur, CEO of Nasscom’s IT-ITeS sector skill council, emphasized that India is set to become a global workforce leader by 2047. To achieve this, the government is investing heavily in skill development, focusing on AI and technology to serve both domestic and global markets.

She cited World Economic Forum reports predicting India as the second-largest future workforce after the U.S., highlighting the country’s growing dominance in IT and AI. Institutions like Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh play a crucial role in aligning education with industry needs.

Praising Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh, she lauded its proactive industry collaborations even before its first academic session. She emphasized that early engagement with industry professionals will ensure students receive AI-driven, industry-relevant education, preparing them for the future job market.

Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh to Equip Students with AI Skills for Global Workforce: Jai Inder Singh Sandhu

Jai Inder Singh Sandhu, Managing Director of Chandigarh University, shared the impact of the MoUs signed with tech companies during the AI Conclave 2025. He emphasized that the collaborations will promote education-industry synergy, providing AI skill development, placement opportunities, practical training, and real-world experience for students.

These partnerships will lead to AI-focused technology transfer, the creation of technology labs, workshops, and curriculum development, helping students acquire the skills needed for the AI-driven future. Sandhu noted that these initiatives will ensure that students of Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh are equipped with industry-relevant skills and mentorship from experts, preparing them to be part of the global workforce.

Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh to Drive AI Revolution in Lucknow, Says Manoj Joshi

Manoj Joshi, Advisor of Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh, stated that Lucknow, traditionally known for its hospitality, is on the brink of becoming the city of the AI revolution. He emphasized that Chandigarh University will play a key role in turning this vision, laid out by the state government and Prime Minister, into reality.

Joshi highlighted the transformative potential of AI in education, positioning it as a key driver in India’s technological revolution. He confidently stated that over the next few months, AI will reshape the educational landscape and bridge the gap between industry and academia, propelling India to the forefront of global technological advancements.

Conclusion:

The UP AI Synergy Conclave 2025 highlighted India’s growing prominence in the global AI landscape. With contributions from policymakers, industry leaders, and AI experts, the event underscored the importance of AI-driven education in shaping India’s future workforce. Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh is at the forefront of this transformation, establishing itself as a leader in AI-integrated education with industry collaborations that will provide skills training, real-world experience, and mentorship to students. By aligning with global AI trends, the university is preparing students to lead in the AI-driven world, ensuring India’s role as a future global workforce leader.