The Tech Panda takes a look at the efforts at skilling, upskilling, and reskilling in the tech industry.
DeepTech Research: A INR100 Cr Industry Research, Technology & Innovation Park in Hyderabad, Powering India’s Lab-to-market Ecosystem
Axis Bank, a private sector bank in India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, an Institution of Eminence, to establish the Axis Bank–BITS Industry Research, Technology & Innovation Park at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus. This collaboration, with a INR100 crore CSR grant, marks a significant step towards strengthening India’s deep-tech and translational research ecosystem by creating an integrated launchpad for facilitating deeper industry-academia collaboration, driving innovation and entrepreneurship.
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said, “This MoU represents a powerful alignment of vision between academia and industry. At BITS Pilani, we have always believed that the future of higher education lies in creating ecosystems that are interdisciplinary, research-intensive, and deeply connected to society and industry. The Axis Bank–BITS Research Park will help us build precisely such an ecosystem, one that supports faculty-led innovation, nurtures doctoral research, accelerates translation, and prepares our students to solve complex problems at scale.”
Youth Development: Skill Development & Livelihood Opportunities for Youth
Allcargo Group, through its CSR arm Avashya Foundation, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), Nashik, to strengthen industry-aligned skill development initiatives and promote sustainable livelihood opportunities for youth.
Dr. Sanjeev Sonawane, Vice Chancellor, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), said, “YCMOU has always been committed to making quality education accessible to those who need it most. This MoU with Allcargo Group is a natural extension of that mission bringing the credibility of YCMOU as public university together with the implementation strength of a leading corporate CSR programme. By combining academic certification with industry relevant vocational training, we are opening a new pathway for under privileged youth, PAP communities, tribal groups, and women to enter the formal workforce with both confidence and credentials. We look forward to a productive and impactful partnership.”
Esports: The largest Esports Creator Program for EWC 2026 and ENC 2026, Applications Open for Co-Streamers Across India
The Esports Foundation (EF), the organization behind the Esports World Cup (EWC) and the Esports Nations Cup (ENC), opened applications for its 2026 Creator Program — the largest co-streaming initiative in esports and a deepening of the strategy that has driven EWC’s growth since its first edition. A direct investment in co-streamers’ growth, the Esports Foundation is committing $2 million (~INR 19 crore) in rewards to help creators reach new audiences, and bring the world’s biggest esports events to their communities. With ambitions to scale the program to 5,000 creators across new regions and platforms, the Foundation is further strengthening its commitment to empowering the next generation of esports content creators.
“This isn’t just an esports trend; it’s a media trend,” said Wasae Imran, Director Broadcast & Distribution at the Esports Foundation. “Across music, video, news and sport, audiences don’t just watch what they’re given anymore. They choose their own experience: what to watch, where to focus, and how deep to go. Esports just lives further down that road than most, and traditional sport is heading the same way. It’s not about delivering a match in one format, it’s about opening up every way into the same moment and letting fans choose how they want to consume it. The Creators Program is how we build for that, by enabling the growth of creators that fans already trust to carry the world’s biggest esports event into every community. “
Enterprise Software: SAP Technology Used by Some of the World’s Largest Companies is Now Accessible to Students in India
In universities across India, students frequently talk about IT firms while discussing future career plans. These companies are often associated with strong career growth. What many students do not realize, however, is that behind the world’s leading businesses lies a common technology foundation: SAP. To help students gain exposure to this global ecosystem early in their careers, SAP is now offering free access to SAP Learning Hub, student edition for students in India. The platform gives students a great opportunity to explore technology skills that are sought by organizations around the world.
“Students often associate technology careers only with coding or software development,” said Tine Vandenbreeden, Global VP SIX Partner Solution Enablement, SAP. “But businesses today need talent that understands digital operations across functions like finance, supply chain, HR, analytics, and customer experience. SAP Learning Hub, student edition gives students an opportunity to explore these business technologies early in their academic journey.”
AI: Skilling 2 Lakh Professionals in AI & Securing Strategic Funding of INR 2 Cr
Backed by early investor Kalaari Capital, AlmaBetter, Indian edtech platform, has partnered with NASSCOM to upskill and certify 2 lakh professionals in AI and emerging technologies by FY2030. The announcement comes alongside a fresh round of strategic funding of INR 2 Crores, secured by AlmaBetter from a HNI educationist. The fund will be deployed towards upskilling and nationwide access.
Ravi Kumar Gupta, Co-founder and CEO of AlmaBetter, said, “India’s AI ambitions depend on building talent that can apply technology in real-world environments. Through our collaboration with NASSCOM, we are combining industry-validated credentials, hands-on learning, and placement pathways to create job-ready AI professionals. Backed by fresh strategic funding, we are focused on accelerating product innovation, expanding access, and scaling industry-ready AI talent across India.”
