Hyderabad’s reputation as a premier global technology hub continues to grow, with cloud-based ERP solutions provider Acumatica officially announcing the launch of its new Global Capability Center (GCC) in the city. The strategic move is designed to accelerate product innovation and serve as the core of the company’s growth engine in India.
Fueling Innovation and Regional Growth
Acumatica, a leading provider of cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions for small and mid-sized businesses, has established the Hyderabad center to tap into the region’s world-class engineering talent.
The new GCC has kicked off operations with an initial team of 30 employees, but this is just the beginning. The company has announced aggressive plans to ramp up hiring in the coming months. While the initial focus is squarely on engineering and product development, Acumatica intends to expand the center’s scope into additional disciplines over time, supporting its continued regional and global growth.
A Strategic Global Footprint
The Hyderabad GCC is a significant addition to Acumatica’s expanding international footprint. It joins the company’s existing, well-established operations across the United States, Canada, Serbia, and Sri Lanka. By decentralizing its innovation hubs, Acumatica is positioning itself to deliver faster, more robust, and globally informed software solutions to its SMB clientele.
To ensure a seamless and scalable setup, Acumatica established the Hyderabad center in strategic partnership with ANSR and Summit Consulting Services, leveraging their deep expertise in building and managing high-performance global capability centers in India.
Leadership Perspective
Highlighting the strategic importance of this new facility, Miten Mehta, Chief Engineering Officer at Acumatica, noted that the Hyderabad GCC will act as the “core of the company’s growth engine in India.” This underscores the company’s long-term commitment to the region, viewing it not just as an outsourcing destination, but as a vital center for core product innovation and engineering excellence.
Why Hyderabad?
Hyderabad has consistently proven to be a magnet for global tech giants establishing GCCs. With its rich talent pool of software engineers, robust IT infrastructure, and a highly supportive state government ecosystem, the city offers the perfect environment for companies like Acumatica to scale their R&D and engineering operations efficiently.
Looking Ahead
As Acumatica ramps up its hiring and broadens the functional scope of its Hyderabad team, the new GCC is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of cloud ERP technologies. For tech professionals in Hyderabad, this expansion represents an exciting wave of new, high-value career opportunities in a company that is actively redefining business management software for the modern era.
In a monumental step for India’s digital infrastructure, Microsoft has officially announced the launch of its India South Central cloud region in Hyderabad, Telangana. This strategic expansion is designed to supercharge the nation’s artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, accelerate enterprise digital transformation, and solidify Microsoft’s position as the leader in hyperscale cloud computing in India.
Unmatched Scale and Local Compliance
With the activation of the Hyderabad facility, Microsoft now operates four cloud regions in India, giving it the largest hyperscale cloud footprint in the country.
The new India South Central region is purpose-built to support demanding AI applications, mission-critical systems, and scalable digital services. It features three Availability Zones, meticulously designed to meet India’s stringent data residency, regulatory, and infrastructure requirements. This ensures that businesses can process data locally with ultra-low latency, enhanced security, and uncompromising reliability.
From AI Experimentation to Durable Business Value
As industries ranging from financial services to manufacturing rapidly integrate AI into their core operations, the need for robust, localized infrastructure has never been more critical.
Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, highlighted the strategic value of this launch: “Whether it is a Frontier Firm already running AI at scale or an enterprise taking its first steps, the question we hear most often is: how do we move faster from experimenting with AI to creating durable business value with AI? This new region provides secure infrastructure closer to businesses and data sources, strengthening our commitment to India’s cloud and AI growth.”
The market has already responded with overwhelming enthusiasm. Microsoft reports strong early adoption and interest from major Indian enterprises, including the Adani Group, Bajaj Finserv, HDFC Bank, and PB Pay, all of whom are leveraging the new region to scale their next-generation workloads.
Sustainability Meets Innovation
Microsoft’s commitment to the environment is deeply embedded in the design of the new Hyderabad facility. The data center incorporates advanced, state-of-the-art infrastructure features, including mechanical cooling systems engineered for zero water consumption. This aligns perfectly with Microsoft’s global pledge to be water-positive by 2030, proving that massive technological expansion and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.
Empowering the Future Workforce
Infrastructure is only half the equation; talent is the other. Recognizing the need to build a future-ready workforce, Microsoft has reiterated its ambitious commitment to train 20 million Indians in AI skills by 2030. By coupling world-class cloud infrastructure with massive upskilling initiatives, Microsoft is ensuring that India is not just a consumer of AI, but a global creator and innovator.
Looking Ahead
The launch of the Hyderabad cloud region is more than just a new data center; it is a catalyst for the next phase of India’s technological renaissance. With double-digit Azure growth already recorded over the past two years, this new facility is poised to unlock unprecedented momentum for startups, enterprises, and developers across the subcontinent.
For Hyderabad, already renowned as “Cyberabad,” this investment reinforces its status as a premier global hub for technology, innovation, and the future of AI.
Education is no longer just about degrees—it’s about readiness.
Across India, a quiet revolution is transforming campuses from traditional lecture halls into innovation ecosystems where theory meets practice, research fuels entrepreneurship, and students graduate not just with certificates, but with real-world adaptability.
From IITs and NITs to state universities and private institutions, Indian higher education is embracing a powerful new mandate: prepare students not just for jobs, but for impact.
🔑 The Shift: Why Practical Skills Matter Now More Than Ever
The global economy is evolving at breakneck speed. Automation, AI, climate tech, and digital transformation are reshaping industries—and the skills required to thrive in them.
Traditional education models, focused heavily on rote learning and theoretical exams, are struggling to keep pace.
That’s why forward-thinking Indian universities are now prioritizing: ✅ Hands-on learning through labs, projects, and industry collaborations ✅ Entrepreneurial mindset via incubation centers and startup mentorship ✅ Adaptability & critical thinking through interdisciplinary curricula ✅ Industry-ready competencies via internships, certifications, and capstone projects
💡 The Goal: Produce graduates who can solve problems, not just pass exams.
🌟 How Universities Are Making It Happen: 5 Key Strategies
1️⃣ Integrated Incubation & Innovation Hubs
Leading institutions are embedding startup support directly into campus life:
IIT Madras: Home to over 300+ startups via its Incubation Cell
BITS Pilani: Technology Business Incubator nurturing deep-tech ventures
IIIT Hyderabad: T-Hub partnerships connecting students to Hyderabad’s startup ecosystem
University of Hyderabad: Social innovation labs driving community-impact ventures
These hubs offer: 🔹 Seed funding access 🔹 Mentorship from industry veterans 🔹 Prototyping labs and co-working spaces 🔹 IP guidance and legal support
2️⃣ Curriculum Redesign: Learning by Doing
Under the **National Education Policy **(NEP 2020), universities are overhauling syllabi to include:
Credit-based internships: Mandatory industry exposure for degree completion
Project-based learning: Real client briefs replacing hypothetical assignments
Micro-credentials: Stackable certifications in AI, data science, design thinking, etc.
Interdisciplinary electives: Engineering students taking business courses; humanities students learning coding
🎯 Outcome: Graduates who can collaborate across domains and adapt to evolving role requirements.
3️⃣ Industry-Academia Partnerships That Deliver
Universities are moving beyond MoUs to co-created value:
Live industry projects: Companies sponsor student teams to solve actual business challenges
Adjunct faculty from industry: Practitioners teaching cutting-edge tools and workflows
Joint R&D labs: Collaborative research with commercialization pathways
Placement-plus programs: Training aligned with specific employer skill maps
Example: VIT Vellore’s “Grand Challenge” program partners with TCS, Infosys, and startups to give students end-to-end product development experience.
4️⃣ Skill Labs & Makerspaces: Where Ideas Become Prototypes
Campuses are investing in physical infrastructure that enables experimentation:
AI/ML labs with GPU clusters for student research
IoT & robotics workshops with 3D printers, sensors, and microcontrollers
Design thinking studios for user-centered problem solving
Media labs for content creation, UX/UI, and digital storytelling
These spaces democratize innovation—any student, regardless of branch, can prototype an idea.
5️⃣ Soft Skills & Adaptability: The Hidden Curriculum
Technical prowess alone isn’t enough. Universities are now intentionally cultivating:
Communication & storytelling: Pitching ideas, writing proposals, presenting research
Emotional intelligence: Team dynamics, conflict resolution, leadership
Resilience & growth mindset: Learning from failure, iterating quickly
Ethical reasoning: Responsible innovation, sustainability, social impact
🌱 Why it matters: In a volatile job market, adaptability is the ultimate career insurance.
📊 Impact by the Numbers
Metric
Trend
University Incubators
1,000+ across India (up from ~200 in 2015)
Student Startups Funded
₹500+ Cr via government & private schemes (2024–25)
Industry-Linked Courses
70% of engineering programs now include mandatory internships
NEP Implementation
85% of central universities have begun curriculum restructuring
Placement Diversity
Rising hires in product, consulting, and founder roles—not just IT services
🎯 Success Stories: Students Who Leaped from Lab to Launch
🔹 Abyom SpaceTech (BITS Pilani Hyderabad): Student team building reusable rocket engines 🔹 Apollyon Dynamics (BITS Hyderabad): 21-year-old founders developing defense UAVs for Indian Army 🔹 Niramai (IIT Madras spin-off): AI-powered breast cancer screening startup founded by researchers 🔹 AgNext (Punjab Agricultural University): Agri-tech startup using spectroscopy for food quality
These aren’t exceptions—they’re emerging patterns.
🚧 Challenges on the Path Forward
Progress isn’t uniform. Key hurdles remain: ⚠️ Faculty readiness: Not all educators are trained in experiential pedagogy ⚠️ Infrastructure gaps: Tier-2/3 colleges lack labs, funding, and industry access ⚠️ Assessment reform: Evaluating creativity and collaboration is harder than grading exams ⚠️ Equity concerns: Ensuring rural and first-generation students benefit equally
Addressing these requires sustained investment, policy support, and cultural change.
💡 What Students & Parents Can Do Today
✅ Choose institutions with active incubation cells and industry partnerships ✅ Seek project-based courses and credit-bearing internships ✅ Build a T-shaped profile: Deep expertise + broad adaptability ✅ Embrace failure as learning: Join hackathons, pitch competitions, prototype challenges ✅ Network intentionally: Connect with alumni, mentors, and industry guests on campus
🌍 The Bigger Vision: Education for an Uncertain Future
The ultimate goal isn’t just employability—it’s empowerment.
By integrating practical skills and adaptability into higher education, Indian universities are preparing a generation that can: 🔹 Navigate ambiguity with confidence 🔹 Create value in any context 🔹 Lead with purpose in a complex world
🚀 “We’re not just teaching students to find jobs. We’re preparing them to shape the future.”
✨ Join the Movement
Whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or industry leader, you have a role to play: 🔹 Students: Seek out experiential opportunities—don’t wait for them to come to you 🔹 Educators: Champion pedagogy that values doing over memorizing 🔹 Employers: Partner with universities to co-create talent pipelines 🔹 Policymakers: Fund infrastructure and incentives for skill-integrated education
The future of work is being built in today’s classrooms. Let’s ensure it’s built on skills, adaptability, and impact.
Even as artificial intelligence continues to evolve rapidly, Google CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized that human talent remains central to innovation. Speaking at the Bloomberg Technology Conference in San Francisco, Pichai said Alphabet, Google’s parent company, will continue to expand its engineering workforce at least into 2026.
“We expect to grow from our current engineering base even into next year,” said Pichai. “It allows us to do more with the opportunity space. I just view this as making engineers dramatically more productive—getting a lot of the mundane aspects out of what they do.”
While U.S. tech giants like Microsoft have trimmed staff this year to offset the enormous investments required to lead in AI, Pichai stressed that Google remains committed to hiring. Google itself has undergone rounds of layoffs in recent years to redirect resources toward key growth areas, particularly AI.
Still, Pichai struck a balanced tone—optimistic about AI’s potential, yet realistic about its current limitations.
“While AI excels in areas like coding, the models continue to make basic mistakes,” he noted. “So are we on an absolute path to AGI [artificial general intelligence]? I don’t think anyone can say for sure.”
AGI refers to the long-term goal of building AI systems that match or exceed human performance across a wide range of tasks. Pichai acknowledged the ambition but cautioned against overconfidence.
Meanwhile, as Google incorporates more AI-generated content into its search results, some publishers have raised concerns that AI answers might reduce web traffic to their sites. Pichai responded by reaffirming Google’s commitment to maintaining a healthy ecosystem for content creators.
“Compared to most companies in the world, we take care to design an experience that showcases links,” he said. “We took a long time testing AI overviews and prioritized approaches that drive high-quality traffic out. I’m confident that many years from now, that’s how Google will continue to operate.”
Hyderabad: In a bold push toward becoming a tech-forward state, the Telangana government has announced plans to train two lakh Artificial Intelligence (AI) engineers, according to State IT and Industries Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu.
The announcement came during a courtesy visit by a Singaporean delegation led by Consul General Edgar Pang to the Minister at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Secretariat on Monday. Highlighting Telangana’s vision for the future, Sridhar Babu outlined several key initiatives aimed at making the state a hub for cutting-edge technologies.
Central to this vision is the development of a ‘Future City’ designed to meet global standards, which will also house an AI University. The Minister revealed that multiple international organizations have shown keen interest in collaborating on the Future City project.
“Hyderabad is rapidly emerging as a key center for Global Capability Centers (GCCs),” he noted, pointing out that in the past year alone, around 70 GCCs in sectors like IT and hospitality have set up operations in the city.
In addition to boosting the tech ecosystem, the Minister stressed the government’s focus on balanced industrial development. He shared that efforts are underway to promote industrial growth beyond Hyderabad, with cities like Warangal and Karimnagar identified as promising hubs.
Calling for stronger international cooperation, Sridhar Babu encouraged the visiting delegation to help spread awareness among industrialists about the investment potential in Telangana. He reaffirmed the state’s readiness to collaborate with the Singapore government in areas such as technology, skill development, and more.
The Singapore delegation included Consul Vaishnavi Vasudevan, First Secretary (Economic) Vivek Raghu Raman, and Denis Tam, Regional Director (India – South) of Enterprise Singapore.
