News
Arizona Western College selected as one of three U.S. institutions for U.S.-India Partnership Lab on workforce innovation and AI
May 4, 2026Initiative will advance workforce-aligned programs, applied AI solutions, and global talent pathways
Yuma, Ariz. (May 4, 2026) – Arizona Western College (AWC) has been selected as one of only three institutions in the country to participate in the U.S.-India Partnership Lab, a national initiative led by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and funded by the Cognizant Foundation.
Through the program, AWC will collaborate with leading institutions in India to advance industry-aligned workforce programs and explore applied uses of artificial intelligence.
“We are honored to be selected for this highly competitive national initiative and excited to engage in a meaningful global partnership,” shared Dr. Reetika Dhawan, incoming AWC President. “This work will go beyond a single project. Our focus is to co-develop AI-enabled, workforce-driven solutions that create real pathways for students into high-wage, high-demand careers, while positioning AWC as a global leader in innovation, workforce development, and applied learning.”
Over the course of the year-long program, partner institutions will collaborate through virtual and in-person engagements to design and implement an AI-enabled workforce project and establish a long-term global partnership framework.
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About the Association of Community College Trustees:
The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who serve on over 500 governing boards of community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond. Its mission is to foster the principles and practices of exemplary governance while promoting high quality and affordable higher education, cutting-edge workforce and development training, student success, and the opportunity for all individuals to achieve economic self-sufficiency and security.
Contact:
Reetika Dhawan
Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Workforce & Healthcare Programs
Arizona Western Entrepreneurial College
reetika.dhawan@azwestern.edu
(928) 344-7769