Hyderabad : The Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (HYSEA), in collaboration with the Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge (TASK), hosted the Project Drona 2.0 Convocation Ceremony at the Tech Mahindra Learning Centre, Hyderabad, recognising faculty members who successfully completed one of Telangana’s largest industry-academia initiatives focused on Artificial Intelligence and future-ready education.
Project Drona 2.0 was designed to strengthen faculty capabilities in AI, leadership, curriculum innovation, industry engagement and emerging technologies. The initiative aims to equip educators with the knowledge, tools and industry exposure required to prepare students for an increasingly AI-driven workplace in the future and day-1 productive.
Delivered through the Infosys Springboard learning platform, the program included 14 AI learning modules, five leadership courses, four AI certifications and industry-oriented capstone projects. The curriculum enabled faculty members to gain practical exposure to emerging technologies while aligning academic learning with industry expectations.
The program has delivered significant impact across Telangana, with nearly 400 faculty members from more than 60 engineering institutions completing certifications. Among them, 212 faculty members from 33 institutions completed the entire learning pathway, while another 185 faculty members continue to progress toward certification milestones.
Compared to the inaugural edition, Project Drona 2.0 achieved an eight-fold increase in faculty certifications, a three-fold increase in faculty completing all learning tracks and a two-fold increase in participating institutions marking a significant jump in AI-fluent faculty.
Speaking at the convocation, Prof. V. Balakista Reddy, Chairman, Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE), highlighted the importance of AI-fluent educators in shaping the future of higher education. He noted that while Artificial Intelligence is transforming education, educators continue to bring “Authentic Intelligence” through mentorship, values and human connection that remain central to student success.
Prof. Kishen Reddy, Vice Chancellor, JNTU Hyderabad, emphasised the need for stronger industry-sponsored research and consulting engagements. He noted that such collaborations help faculty gain practical insights into industry requirements while creating stronger alignment between academic outcomes and workforce expectations.
Flt. Lt. Bipin Pendyala, President of HYSEA, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to deepening industry-academia collaboration and expanding the reach of future Drona programs to create a larger pool of AI-ready educators and future-ready talent.
Nithin Reddy, CEO of TASK, said the growing participation in the program reflects the confidence institutions have developed in the initiative and the value created through industry-led curriculum design, capstone projects, mentoring and leadership immersion.
A key highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Prabhava Puraskaram to institutions demonstrating exceptional commitment to faculty development and the highest learning completion rates. The award was presented to MLR Institute of Technology, Anurag University, GRIET, Vignan Institute of Technology and Science, and MLRITM.
The event concluded with the felicitation of graduating faculty members, recognition of participating institutions and appreciation of industry mentors. HYSEA also announced plans for Project Drona 3.0, which will further expand the initiative and strengthen AI-enabled education, research and talent development across Telangana.