29, Sep 2026
Thunderstorm Alert: IMD Issues 3-Day Yellow Warning For 14 Odisha Districts
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 29 (UDN): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a three-day yellow warning for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in 14 districts of Odisha, beginning Tuesday and continuing through October 2.
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The weather advisory covers isolated locations across the identified districts, where surface winds may reach speeds of 30 to 40 kmph during thunderstorm activity.
Yellow Warning Till September 30
For Day-1, valid until 8:30 am on September 30, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds of 30-40 kmph are likely at one or two places in:
Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh.
Alert Continues Through October 1
The same weather conditions are expected during Day-2, from 8:30 am on September 30 to 8:30 am on October 1.
The IMD has forecast thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph at one or two places in the same 14 districts.
Similar Warning On October 1-2
For Day-3, from 8:30 am on October 1 to 8:30 am on October 2, the IMD has maintained the yellow warning for the same districts.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds of up to 30-40 kmph may occur at one or two places during this period.
Residents in the warned districts have been advised to remain alert during thunderstorm activity and follow local weather advisories.
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- By Neel Achary
29, Sep 2026
Residential Property Prices Rise 63 percent Across 11 Emerging Cities, Outpacing Major Real Estate Markets
New Delhi, September 29, 2026: India’s residential real estate market is witnessing a broader growth story, with emerging cities increasingly playing a significant role alongside the country’s major metropolitan markets. According to a joint report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Knight Frank India, residential property prices across 11 emerging markets increased by 63% between 2021 and 2026, compared with a 42% increase across eight major markets.
The report identifies Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh Tricity, Goa, Indore, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam and Coimbatore as emerging residential markets. Between 2016 and 2026, these markets recorded an average Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8% in residential prices, twice the 4% CAGR recorded across the eight major markets.
Mr. Rajni Kant Mishra, Founder & Chairman, Amrawati Group, said, “The growth story of India’s real estate market is no longer limited to the major metropolitan cities. Better infrastructure, stronger connectivity, new employment opportunities and rising economic activity in emerging cities have given fresh momentum to residential demand. The 63% increase in residential prices across these markets between 2021 and 2026 reflects this changing landscape. At the same time, relatively affordable property prices and better lifestyle opportunities are attracting homebuyers. Going forward, emerging cities can become important centres of real estate development and investment in India.”
According to the report, improved infrastructure and connectivity, expanding economic activity, rising consumption and new employment opportunities are among the key factors supporting residential demand in these markets. Residential property prices across these emerging cities currently range from approximately ₹4,500 to ₹13,500 per sq. ft., depending on the market.
The findings highlight the changing dynamics of India’s residential real estate sector, with emerging cities gaining greater importance as residential destinations. As infrastructure improves and economic opportunities expand, these markets are increasingly contributing to the country’s broader real estate growth.
29, Sep 2026
Puri Srimandir To Suspend Darshan For Four Hours On September 30 For Banakalagi
Puri, Sept. 29 (UDN): Public darshan at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will remain suspended for around four hours on Wednesday, September 30, to facilitate the Banakalagi Niti of the Holy Trinity.
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The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), in a notification, said the special ritual will be performed on Ashwin Krushna Chaturthi Tithi. Accordingly, devotees will not be allowed darshan from 6 pm to 10 pm after completion of the second Bhoga Mandapa offering.
Banakalagi Niti At Srimandir
Banakalagi, also known as Srimukha Sringara, is a significant ritual during which the facial features of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan are given a fresh coat of natural colours.
The ritual is performed on the deities seated on the Ratna Singhasana and is traditionally carried out by the Dutta Mohapatra servitors.
Darshan Suspended During Ritual
The Banakalagi ritual is performed in a secluded manner, with the temple doors closed to devotees while the sacred face decoration is undertaken.
The ritual generally takes around four to five hours. During this period, public darshan remains suspended and only authorised Dutta Mohapatra servitors participate in the ritual.
The term Banakalagi is traditionally associated with Bana, meaning forest, and Lagi, meaning to apply, reflecting the ritual’s traditional use of natural colours and materials.
The ritual is generally performed twice a month, on a Wednesday or Thursday, according to the temple’s established ritual schedule.
Devotees planning to visit Srimandir on Wednesday evening have been advised to take note of the temporary suspension of darshan between 6 pm and 10 pm.
29, Sep 2026
NIT Rourkela Hosts India-Sri Lanka Workshop On Sustainable Food Processing And Waste Valorisation
Rourkela, Sept. 29 (UDN): The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela hosted a seven-day India-Sri Lanka workshop aimed at advancing sustainable food processing technologies, reducing industrial waste and promoting the conversion of waste into value-added products.
Organised by the Department of Food Process Engineering from September 21 to 27, 2026, the workshop focused on “Advanced Thermal and Non-Thermal Sustainable Technologies for Food Industry Waste Reduction and Waste Valorization.”
The programme was sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and supported by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Science and Technology.
Experts From India, Sri Lanka Participate
Convened by Prof. Winny Routray and Prof. Rachna Sehrawat, the programme was chaired by Prof. Sabyasachi Mishra, Head of the Department of Food Process Engineering.
The workshop brought together academics, researchers, students, experts and early-career professionals from both countries to exchange knowledge and explore collaborative solutions in sustainable food processing and waste utilisation.
The Sri Lankan delegation included experts from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University College Matara, University of Vocational Technology and BMS Campus. Dr Dulani Somendrika, Prof. Indira Wickramasinghe, Dr I. G. Gimanie Kasunmala and Chalani Akmeeman were among the participating delegates.
Focus On Emerging Food Technologies
Technical sessions were conducted by experts from NIT Rourkela, IIT Patna, IIT Kharagpur, NIFTEM Kundli, ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET) and ICAR-National Institute of Secondary Agriculture.
Industry representatives from Biotez Agrinovation Pvt. Ltd. and Koel Fresh Private Limited also participated.
Discussions covered a wide range of emerging technologies, including zero-waste food production, biofertiliser generation from industrial waste, agricultural and aquaculture waste valorisation, sustainable packaging, smart sensing, protein and starch recovery, green drying technologies, membrane separation and extrusion.
Advanced processing of oilseeds and spices, crystallisation and bio-inspired engineering were among the other areas discussed, with emphasis on cleaner production, food safety, value addition and commercialisation.
Participants Get Hands-On Research Exposure
A major component of the workshop was practical exposure to advanced research facilities at NIT Rourkela’s Central Research Facility.
Participants received demonstrations of technologies and equipment used in electron microscopy, spectroscopy, chromatography, thermal analysis, X-ray techniques, ICP-OES, 3D printing, liquid nitrogen applications and cold plasma technology.
Laboratory visits to the Department of Food Process Engineering further complemented the technical sessions and provided participants with an opportunity to understand ongoing research and applications.
NIT Director Highlights Academic Collaboration
Addressing the Sri Lankan delegation, NIT Rourkela Director Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao said such programmes provide an important platform for researchers and students to exchange knowledge, explore emerging technologies and develop academic partnerships.
He highlighted sustainable food processing and waste valorisation as important areas where scientific innovation can contribute to resource efficiency, environmental sustainability and value creation.
Scope For Joint Research
The workshop also explored ways to transform food and industrial waste into useful products, including biofertilisers and functional packaging materials.
The programme concluded with renewed academic and scientific engagement between participating institutions from India and Sri Lanka, with discussions paving the way for future joint research, institutional partnerships and continued knowledge exchange in sustainable food processing and waste valorisation.
29, Sep 2026
Apollo Knowledge and BITS Pilani partner to advance healthcare research and build India’s healthcare technology workforce
Chennai, 29 September 2026: Apollo Knowledge and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) have come together to work on healthcare research, education and workforce development. The two signed a Memorandum of Understanding today in the presence of Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder-Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, and Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani.
The collaboration brings together the clinical environment of the Apollo network and BITS Pilani’s strengths in engineering, technology and data science. Clinicians and BITS Pilani researchers will explore joint research on clinical and healthcare problems, with specific areas to be identified as the collaboration develops.
The two institutions will collaborate to develop Work Integrated Learning programmes for healthcare professionals. These programmes allow doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and healthcare managers to earn a qualification while continuing in their jobs. Potential areas include healthcare logistics and supply chain, pharmacy, and hospital finance, with the curriculum built around the work these professionals actually do.
The partners will also explore technology learning for students, built around the role each student is training for. This would extend to learners at The Apollo University, at the medical and nursing colleges in the Apollo network, and at Apollo Healthcare Academy’s partner institutions.
Specialised programmes in allied health and healthcare technology are a further area the two institutions will explore, combining BITS Pilani’s competency centres with clinical training in Apollo hospitals.
Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder-Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “Healthcare today runs on technology as much as it runs on clinical skill. The people who deliver care need to learn that technology properly, and they need to learn it without stepping away from their work. BITS Pilani has taught working professionals for over four decades. We have the hospitals, the clinicians and the students. Putting the two together lets us train the healthcare workforce this country needs, and take up research that answers the questions our doctors are asking today.”
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said, “Healthcare is one of the areas where good engineering makes a direct difference to people’s lives. The collaboration creates opportunities to work with Apollo‘s clinical ecosystem and with a large base of healthcare professionals and students. We bring the technology, data science and a proven model of teaching people who are already working. We expect this collaboration to produce both research and trained professionals.”
29, Sep 2026
Odisha Congress Announces Statewide Bandh On October 8 Over MMDR Amendment Act
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 29 (UDN): The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has announced a statewide bandh on October 8 to demand the withdrawal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, intensifying its ongoing agitation over the legislation.
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OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das made the announcement on Tuesday, saying the bandh would be observed across Odisha following a protest programme in Kendujhar.
Congress Seeks Support From INDIA Bloc Parties
Das said the party would continue its agitation against the amended mining legislation and appealed to constituents of the INDIA bloc, including the CPI, CPI(M), Samajwadi Party and other parties, to extend support to the proposed bandh.
“This protest will continue. On October 8, following the protest in Kendujhar, an Odisha bandh will be observed,” Das said while appealing to people across the state to participate in the programme.
The OPCC president reiterated the Congress’ demand for withdrawal of the amended MMDR legislation.
Agitation To Continue
The October 8 bandh is part of a series of programmes announced by the Odisha Congress against the MMDR Amendment Act. The party had earlier announced plans for a statewide bandh and a seven-day economic blockade after Dussehra as part of its agitation.
Das also alleged that the BJP-led government had betrayed the people of Odisha. The allegation is part of the Congress’ political opposition to the amended legislation.
The MMDR Amendment Act has emerged as a major point of contention in Odisha, with opposition parties, including Congress and BJD, repeatedly demanding its withdrawal and staging protests inside and outside the State Assembly.
Congress has maintained that it will continue its campaign until its demand for withdrawal of the legislation is addressed.
29, Sep 2026
‘Angan Ka Utsav’: CM Majhi Highlights Child Nutrition, Women’s Welfare Initiatives
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 29 (UDN): Odisha is stepping up efforts to improve the nutritional well-being of women and children, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi stressing the need for stronger family participation in childcare and nutrition to realise the vision of a ‘Suposhit Odisha’.
Pic Credit: x.com/PravatiPOdisha
Addressing the state-level celebration of ‘Angan Ka Utsav’ and the ninth Rashtriya Poshan Maah at an Anganwadi Centre in Baramunda on Tuesday, Majhi said a range of programmes were being implemented through Anganwadi centres and schools to improve nutrition and health outcomes.
CM Calls For Greater Family Participation
Majhi emphasised the significance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, calling for active involvement of fathers and other family members alongside mothers in ensuring proper nutrition, care and development.
“Through greater awareness and effective implementation of these programmes, Odisha will certainly emerge as a well-nourished state,” the Chief Minister said.
He said more than 46 lakh activities were carried out across Odisha during Poshan Maah and claimed that the state had secured the first position nationally in Aadhaar verification.
Frontline Workers Credited For Health Gains
The Chief Minister praised Anganwadi workers and helpers, auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) and ASHA workers for their contribution to improving healthcare indicators in the state.
According to Majhi, their grassroots-level efforts have contributed to higher child immunisation coverage, increased institutional deliveries and a significant reduction in infant and maternal mortality.
He said Odisha, which was earlier among the states with the second-highest infant and maternal mortality rates, has now reached a satisfactory position on both indicators.
Women-Centric Schemes Highlighted
Majhi said the welfare and empowerment of women remain central to the state’s development agenda, noting that women constitute half of society.
He highlighted initiatives including Subhadra Yojana, Lakhpati Didi, Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana and Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangla Yojana.
The Chief Minister said at least 40 per cent of the State Government’s total budget is being spent on women.
He also said quality education and healthcare have been made completely free in the state. Education up to the postgraduate level, he said, is fee-free in government and government-aided educational institutions.
Girl children covered under the relevant government initiative will receive financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh after completing graduation, Majhi said.
Free Healthcare And Nutrition Initiatives
In the healthcare sector, Majhi said cashless treatment facilities are being provided at selected private hospitals across the country under the Ayushman Bharat-Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana.
During the event, he distributed school kits to Anganwadi children and felicitated fathers who participated in showcasing healthy food.
Anganwadi workers, helpers and ASHA workers were also felicitated for their services.
CM Reviews Anganwadi Meals
Majhi visited the Anganwadi Centre and reviewed the quality of the ‘Tiranga Thali’ and hot cooked meals being served to children. He also served food to the children during the programme.
Deputy Chief Minister and Women and Child Development Minister Pravati Parida, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department Dr Mrinalini Darswal, Department Director Monisha Banerjee, along with other officials, Anganwadi workers, helpers, ASHA workers, children and parents attended the event.
The Chief Minister called upon citizens to support the government’s efforts towards building a healthier Odisha and reiterated his administration’s commitment to achieving the goal of a ‘Suposhit Odisha’.
29, Sep 2026
AAEON Breaks Down Thermal Barriers with the New UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air
With AirJet® solid-state active cooling technology, the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air is 35% thinner and 43% lighter while delivering Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 3 performance.
Taipei, Taiwan – Sept 29: AAEON (Stock Code: 6579) today announced the release of the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air, a Panther Lake-powered Mini PC featuring Frore Systems’ AirJet® solid-state active cooling technology. With this innovative thermal management, the Mini PC replaces conventional fan-based cooling with ultrasonic-frequency membrane vibration technology to generate high-speed pulsating airflow to provide high-capacity heat dissipation without the added height that comes with a heatsink.
Of particular note to developers and integrators alike will be the fact that because of the reduced space taken up by thermal management components, the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air is 35% slimmer and 43% lighter than the fan-cooled UP Xtreme PTL Edge, released earlier this year. Specifically, the new system’s height is listed as just 35.8mm and weighs in at 1.57 lb.
AAEON has positioned the system as an ultra-slim Mini PC suited for integration in space-constrained applications such as ultra-thin kiosk setups, low-clearance AMR housing, and compact mobile healthcare units. One feature that stands out for each of these verticals is its elimination of fan-induced vibration.
AAEON note that the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air operates at less than 21 dBA, resulting in it being a quieter, more stable platform for robotic controllers, actuators, sensors, and cameras. For robotics applications, AAEON state that combined, these features can reduce torque around moving joints and minimize mechanical disturbance for precision sensing equipment.
Like its counterpart, the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air is available with a choice of the Intel® Core™ Ultra X7 processor 358H, Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 processor 356H, or Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 processor 325 from the Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 3 processors lineup (formerly Panther Lake). Users will therefore be able to leverage the series’ integrated 12 Xe-core Intel® Arc™ GPU and Intel NPU 5.0 for up to 180 TOPs of AI performance.
Despite its unique design, the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air sacrifices very little as a trade-off, with a 6% increase in power consumption and a narrower operating temperature range of -10°C to 45°C being the only downsides. However, the PC does provide the same I/O as its predecessor, comprised of four USB ports (two Type-C ports with USB 4.0 and two Type-A ports with USB 3.2 Gen 2 signals), dual 2.5GbE LAN ports, and two COM ports offering RS-232/422/485. Alongside these, the system provides two HDMI 2.1 ports and two DP 2.1 via its USB Type-C ports for four simultaneous displays.
Where expansion is concerned, the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air offers two M.2 2280 M-Key slots for NVMe, an M.2 2230 E-Key slot for Wi-Fi, as well as the 40-pin GPIO that has become synonymous with UP products.
“This is a very exciting product for us, particularly because it addresses real challenges that our customers have in integrating high-performance edge AI hardware into applications with space constraints,” said Irene Lin, Senior Product Manager from AAEON’s UP division. “I really believe that this will be a gamechanger for solution builders, and look forward to seeing the impact the UP Xtreme PTL Edge Air has on projects going forward,” Lin added.
29, Sep 2026
MDI Gurgaon’s Samvaad X ScaNxt NXT STEP to Put Strategic Decision-Making Under Polycrisis Conditions to Test
Gurugram, September 29, 2026: As businesses increasingly operate amid interconnected disruptions spanning markets, technology, geopolitics, supply chains and changing consumer behaviour, the ability to adapt strategy in real time is becoming an important management capability. Reflecting this shift, Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon’s PGDM-BM 38th Batch, as part of Samvaad 2026, is organising Samvaad X ScaNxt – NXT STEP: The Polycrisis Challenge, a national-level case competition focused on strategic decision-making in an evolving business environment.
Built around the broader Samvaad 2026 theme of “Thriving in a Polycrisis,” the competition is designed to move beyond conventional case-solving. Participants are required to analyse a business situation, identify the central strategic challenge, develop recommendations and subsequently revisit those decisions when the underlying circumstances change.
The format reflects a broader question facing management education: how should future managers make decisions when the assumptions underlying a strategy can change faster than the strategy itself? Rather than evaluating a solution only on the basis of its initial logic, the final round places emphasis on participants’ ability to recognise changing conditions, reassess their choices and communicate a revised course of action.
“Today’s business environment demands the ability to learn, unlearn and adapt quickly. The assumptions behind a decision can change rapidly, and leaders need to be willing to test, learn and reinvent rather than remain constrained by an earlier approach. NXT STEP reflects this reality by asking participants to revisit their decisions as the situation evolves,” said Amitayu Roy, Managing Director – AI Strategy & Transformation, Accenture Strategy & Consulting, and Guest of Honour at Samvaad 2026.
Simran Thapar, HR Leader, Carrier – HVAC Business, said, “Polycrisis is not simply about the number of disruptions an organisation faces; it is about how we interpret those disruptions and navigate their interconnected impact. In today’s environment, professionals cannot look at challenges only through the lens of their individual functions. The ability to combine diverse perspectives, assess uncertainty and turn a crisis into an opportunity will be increasingly important for the leaders of tomorrow.”
“Management education must prepare future leaders not only to find solutions, but also to question their assumptions when the context changes. NXT STEP brings this approach to life by placing participants in situations where they must analyse a problem, make strategic choices and then revisit those choices as new challenges emerge. The ability to think critically, remain adaptable and make informed decisions amid uncertainty is central to preparing managers for the complexities of today’s business environment,” said Prof. Chinmaya Kulshrestha, Associate Professor, Chairperson – PGDM (BM) and Area Chairperson Marketing, MDI Gurgaon.
Bringing an academic and technology perspective to the discussion, Prof. Sangeeta Shah Bhardwaj, Chairperson – Centre on Artificial Intelligence and its application in Business, MDI Gurgaon, said, “Technology can help leaders analyse complexity and identify possibilities, but the real value lies in translating those insights into timely and effective action. For future managers, connecting technology with business context, adapting their thinking and executing under uncertainty will be critical. NXT STEP gives students an opportunity to experience this complexity firsthand and rethink their decisions as the context evolves.”
Ratan Shrivastava, Chief Guest at Samvaad 2026, said, “In business, what ultimately matters is the tangible value you create. The impact you make and the revenue or business value you bring to the table are important indicators of the value you have actually added to the organisation. In a world defined by polycrisis and constant uncertainty, understanding your core strengths and leaning into them can help you navigate your career with greater confidence, clarity, and resilience. ”
The initiative forms part of Samvaad 2026, the flagship business colloquium of MDI Gurgaon’s PGDM-BM programme, which brings together perspectives from academia and industry around contemporary business challenges. The 2026 edition, being held on September 26–27, focuses on how organisations and leaders can navigate an environment where multiple disruptions intersect and create complex, interconnected challenges.
29, Sep 2026
US-based Brain Digits Opens Office in Masdar City as Abu Dhabi Accelerates Push to Become World’s First AI-Native Government
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Sept 29: Brain Digits, a US-based AI transformation and innovation company, has opened a new office in Abu Dhabi as it expands its UAE operations and seeks to support growing demand for artificial intelligence adoption across government and business.
The new branch, located at Smart Station in Masdar City, will work with government entities, public institutions, universities and companies looking to integrate AI into their operations, develop workforce capabilities and redesign processes around emerging technologies.
The expansion comes as Abu Dhabi accelerates its push to become a global centre for artificial intelligence and digital government. Under the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025–2027, the emirate is investing AED13 billion in digital infrastructure and aims to become the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027.
“Abu Dhabi is creating one of the world’s most ambitious environments for the practical adoption of artificial intelligence,” said Jack Jendo, Founder and CEO of Brain Digits. “Our expansion brings us closer to organisations that are asking the next important question: how AI can improve the way people work, decisions made and services delivered. Our role is to help turn that ambition into practical capability and measurable results.”
The Abu Dhabi branch is licensed for innovation and artificial intelligence research and consultancy, as well as management consultancy.
Brain Digits said the UAE will remain the centre of its regional expansion, with operations in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai serving organisations across government, energy, healthcare, education, banking and other sectors.
The US-based company was established in Delaware in 2020 and has since expanded its work in organisational transformation and applied AI.
The Abu Dhabi office will also provide a base for Brain Digits to develop and test approaches for the UAE market that can later be applied across the GCC and wider Middle East.
Brain Digits is a US-based AI transformation and innovation company helping governments and organizations build the leadership, workforce capability, systems, data intelligence, advanced thinking and implementation capacity required for AI-enabled work.
Its work spans AI transformation strategy, organizational readiness, leadership, workforce enablement, data literacy, Design Thinking, AI agents and workflows, innovation, digital platforms, applied research and practical implementation.
