New Centre of Excellence Under PM-USHA to Focus on Women’s Healthcare Empowerment.
The Ministry of Education today inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare at the University of Mumbai under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) scheme. The virtual launch was led by Dr. Sunil Barnwal, Additional Secretary, Department of Higher Education.
Funded through PM-USHA, the newly established centre will serve as a national hub for cutting-edge AI research and innovation, with a special emphasis on women’s healthcare empowerment. By developing responsible AI tools, the centre aims to improve diagnosis, treatment, and accessibility to quality healthcare services.
“This CoE is envisioned as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, focusing on responsible AI applications to empower women’s health,” the Ministry of Education stated in a tweet.
The launch event witnessed participation from prominent academic leaders including Dr. Ravindra D. Kulkarni, Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University; Prof. Sunil Bhirud from COEP Tech University, Pune; and Prof. Mangilal Agarwal of Indiana University, USA. Representatives from leading healthcare institutions like Tata Memorial Hospital and Nanavati Hospital were also present.
By integrating AI into real-world healthcare challenges, particularly in the women’s health domain, the University of Mumbai is positioning itself as a leader in digital health innovation. The initiative is aligned with India’s broader goal to build a preventive, responsive, and tech-driven health system, while fostering youth engagement and research excellence.