Mumbai, Mar 02: The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), Mumbai, has formalized a historic nationwide collaboration by signing a multi-association Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at GAFX 2026 in Bangalore. The initiative aims to accelerate India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) ecosystem through collaboration with national and state-level associations.

 Hosted by the Association of Bangalore Animation Industry (ABAI), the event witnessed the MoU signing in the presence of Shri Priyank Kharge, Minister for Rural Development, Panchayat Raj, IT and Biotechnology, Government of Karnataka, and Dr. M. C. Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka. The agreement brings together AVGC-XR associations from 10 states, including Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

The MoU outlines a collaborative framework focused on:

• Education and skilling: Industry-aligned curricula and certification programs.

• Incubation and start-up support: Mentoring emerging start-ups and fostering entrepreneurship.

• Research and innovation: Advancing immersive and creative technology research.

• Enhanced visibility: Co-hosting events and industry showcases to position India globally.

Dr. Vishwas Deoskar, CEO of IICT, emphasized,

“India’s AVGC-XR sector has immense potential to become a global powerhouse. Through structured collaboration in education, research, and incubation, we are building a sustainable pipeline of talent and innovation.”

The MoU signing was attended by leading industry and academic representatives, including Dr. Ashish Kulkarni (Founding Director, IICT), Biren Ghose (President, ABAI Karnataka), Siva Kumar Kasetty (Technical Director, ASIFA India), Ankur Bhasin (Secretary, MEAI India), and other state AVGC-XR association leaders, demonstrating a shared commitment to advancing collaboration, skill development, and innovation across India.

This multi-state partnership marks a significant milestone in aligning academia with industry needs, nurturing start-ups, and developing a future-ready workforce—further positioning India as a global hub for original IP creation and immersive digital experiences.