Launch Overview

On Monday, 10 August 2026, Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) Bengaluru – a constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) – inaugurated the IBM‑MIT AI Lab, branded as the MAHE Intelligence GPU (MIG), at its Bengaluru campus in collaboration with IBM. The inauguration was led by Prof. Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice‑Chancellor of MAHE Bengaluru, and Nisha Gopinath, Vice President – Human Resources, IBM India and South Asia, and was attended by IBM CSR Leader Shipra Sharma, KSDA Chairman Dr. E. V. Ramana Reddy (IAS), Additional Registrar Dr. Raghavendra Prabhu, MIT Director Dr. Iven Jose, Dean Dr. Dayanand, senior IBM leaders, faculty, researchers, students and industry representatives.

Facility Capabilities

The centre houses a high‑performance computing (HPC) facility powered by advanced GPU‑enabled infrastructure. It can simultaneously support 30 high‑performance computing workloads. The lab is equipped to enable cutting‑edge research across a spectrum of AI domains, including machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, computer vision, natural language processing, cybersecurity, healthcare, intelligent systems and data analytics.

AI Learning Initiative via IBM SkillsBuild

A defining element of the partnership is the AI Learning Initiative delivered through IBM SkillsBuild, IBM’s free technology‑education programme. The initiative will provide:

  • AI awareness workshops and immersive bootcamps,
  • Hands‑on training in artificial intelligence and machine learning,
  • Digital credentials issued by IBM SkillsBuild,
  • Mentorship from MIT BLRU faculty and student volunteers,
  • Direct access to the MIG computing infrastructure.

The programme specifically targets students from Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 institutions across India, aiming to bridge the digital divide and equip learners with industry‑relevant AI skills.

Stakeholder Remarks

Karnataka Cabinet Minister for Home, IT & BT, e‑Governance, Priyank Kharge commended the launch, stating that the collaboration underscores the power of academia‑industry partnerships in strengthening Karnataka’s AI ecosystem and fostering inclusive growth. Prof. Madhu Veeraraghavan emphasized that AI must become an enabler for everyone and highlighted the lab’s role in expanding access to AI education and fostering innovation. Sandip Patel, Managing Director of IBM India and South Asia, noted that India is at a pivotal moment in its AI journey and that the partnership reflects IBM’s commitment to democratising emerging technologies, enterprise‑grade computing and digital skills. Dr. Iven Jose, Director of MIT Bengaluru, said the MIG facility provides the computing power needed to solve complex challenges, accelerate AI innovation and nurture industry‑ready talent.

Institutional Background

MAHE is an Institution of Eminence deemed‑to‑be university offering over 400 specialisations across health sciences, management, law, humanities, social sciences and technology & science at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur and Dubai. In 2020, the Ministry of Education awarded MAHE the Institution of Eminence status, and it is ranked 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings. IBM is a global provider of hybrid cloud, AI and consulting services, serving clients in more than 175 countries and supporting critical infrastructure sectors such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare.

Overall, the IBM‑MIT AI Lab combines advanced GPU‑based HPC resources with large‑scale AI skilling and industry collaboration, positioning MIT Bengaluru as a leading hub for AI research, talent development and responsible innovation in Karnataka and India.