CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the ambitious ‘Tamil Nadu Knowledge City’ at the India Global Education Summit 2026, which is expected to create direct and indirect employment opportunities for more than 12,000 persons in the State. The city will be an 872-acre integrated hub at Tiruvallur, which will integrate higher education, R&D, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Several Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) and letters of Intent (IoT) worth Rs 355 crore were signed at the summit with top international universities and institutions. The focus is on providing job opportunities for 2,555 people and offering indirect employment for another 9,650.
The University of Melbourne will establish an applied research facility in the areas of quantum computing and agritech, occupying 20,000 square feet in the knowledge city with an investment of Rs 35 crore over five years. This initiative will create 25 direct jobs and 200 indirect employment opportunities.
Indian Institute of Madras (IIT-M) – Centre for Advanced Automotive Research will set up a translational research facility and testing lab for EVs in 40,000 square feet by investing Rs 200 crore and generating 100 direct jobs and 2,000 indirect jobs. IIT-M Global will establish a basic and applied research skilling facility in 20,000 square feet.
Aarksee, a Saudi firm, will establish a research lab to study carbon capture and sustainability, occupying 10,000 square feet. Acumen, in partnership with TIDCO, has committed to a collaboration to promote knowledge city with an investment of Rs 120 crore, creating 150 direct jobs and 2,500 indirect job opportunities.
The State-owned Guidance Tamil Nadu is also entering into MoUs with leading global institutions. IIT-M Global will drive a partnership for global talent development, advanced skilling in AI and semiconductors, and startup innovation enablement. The Illinois Institute of Technology will establish a Centre of Excellence in Chennai, focusing on advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and health-AI.
In the humanities, University of Cambridge, in collaboration with Roja Muthiah Research Library, will lead a global Tamil research partnership to digitise historical archives, expand language learning resources, and foster academic exchange.
The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply will strengthen its presence by establishing branch offices in tier two and three cities, connecting corporate networks with new opportunities. Adobe will provide free AI licenses for higher education students.
TIDCO and University of East London will establish an innovation hub, followed by another MoU with NISAU for collaboration to strengthen talent development and bring investment into TIDCO projects.