Amaravati, Feb 16: The Andhra Pradesh Government signed an MoU with edX, a leading global E-learning platform that conducts Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). This enables 12 lakh students in the state to pick and pursue their chosen verticals from more than 2000 modern and emerging courses free of cost.

The MoU was signed by Higher Education department officials and edX founder Anant Agarwal in the presence of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at the Camp Office here on Friday. The program was virtually witnessed by the Vice-Chancellors and students of 26 universities.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister reaffirmed that only quality education can make our students globally competitive and secure high-end salaried jobs in top-notch companies.

"Right to education is an old adage, but the right to quality education is the present-day necessity," CM Jagan said, adding that world-standard education can ensure a bright future for them.

Asserting that our students' competition is not only with those in other states but also with students across the world, he emphasized that only world-standard education can ensure a bright future for them.

"The MoU with edX marks only the beginning, and while its results may take four to five years to manifest, we must start somewhere," he said, pointing out that steps are being taken to transform the educational system from the elementary stage to the higher education level.

In every part of our educational reforms, beginning with the introduction of English Medium schools to filling teaching faculty vacancies, to introducing podcasts, to obtaining NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) affiliation for 180 educational institutions, to signing the MoU with edX, the Government has been working with dedication. It strongly feels that investment in human resources is one of our key priority sectors.

Following the MoU, students will be able to learn locally unavailable courses such as AI (Artificial Intelligence), Machine Learning, Data Sciences, Real Estate Management, Cyber Forensics, Stock Exchange, Wealth and Risk Management, and other modern verticals.

"Disclosing that Padmavati University has introduced full-fledged courses in AI, computer vision, and metaverse learning, the Chief Minister urged the Vice-Chancellors of other universities to follow suit. He encouraged them to introduce modern courses in augmented technology and 3D learning and improve the online learning capabilities of students."

Education Minister B. Satyanarayana, CS Dr KS Jawahar Reddy, Higher Education Council Chairman Prof K. Hemachandra Reddy, Higher Education Special CS B. Rajasekhar, Education Principal Secretary Praveen Prakash, College Education Commissioner P. Bhaskar, Primary Education Commissioner K. Bhakar (Infrastructure), edX founder Prof. Anant Agarwal, and other representatives were among those present.