The Tech Panda takes a look at the efforts at skilling, upskilling, and reskilling in the tech industry.
EY India & SRCC Launch AI VIBE to Prepare Students for AI-Enabled Careers
EY India and Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) launched AI VIBE (Varsity for Innovation, Business and Economics), a first-of-its-kind immersive industry-academia initiative aimed at preparing students for careers in an AI-enabled economy. Jointly developed by SRCC and EY India, the 12-month programme combines academic excellence with industry immersion to help bridge the growing gap between classroom learning and the AI skills increasingly required in today’s workplace.
Rajiv Memani, Chairman and CEO, EY India, said “At a time when AI is transforming businesses and the workplace, while creating demand for the skills of the future, students must view AI literacy as a foundational capability and cultivate it through continuous learning and curiosity. Through AI VIBE, we are helping shape the next generation of talent and leaders in India, beginning with SRCC, one of the country’s premier undergraduate institutions. By combining academic excellence in AI with practical business experience, we aim to help students build the capabilities they need to thrive in the age of AI.”
Prof. Simrit Kaur, Principal, Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, said, “Higher education is entering a period of profound change, by connecting education with industry, we are bridging the skills gap and enabling students to enter the workforce with greater confidence and readiness. Through AI VIBE, SRCC and EY India are collaborating to create a new learning model that goes beyond traditional classroom instruction and enables students to engage with real-world business challenges, industry practitioners and emerging technologies in a structured and meaningful way. This will further elevate the learning and experience for the students. Indeed, a progressive initiative by SRCC in its Centenary.”
MSF Launches Allied Healthcare Diploma Program in Association with Mangalayatan University
The Monica Sarin Foundation (MSF) has entered a strategic collaboration with Mangalayatan University, Aligarh, to offer an Advance Diploma-level Allied Healthcare program, bridging the gap between quality healthcare education and industry workforce requirements. This collaboration further strengthens MSF’s commitment to expanding access to quality vocational education, with a long-term goal of skilling 50,000 students by 2030 and creating a strong pipeline of industry-ready professionals.
Aashman Sarin, Director and Founding Member, Monica Sarin Foundation, said “Our focus is to create opportunities for the Indian youth through structured education and industry aligned skill development. With this association with Mangalayatan University, we are strengthening access to quality vocational training in Allied Healthcare for an Advance Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology. Our efforts will enable students to become future ready and benefit from industry-relevant skills, recognized qualifications, and pathways for long-term employment.”
Meenakshi Bisht, Head of Department, Paramedical Institute of Vocational Education (PIVE), Mangalayatan University, said, “This association is a meaningful step towards strengthening allied healthcare education and creating new opportunities for young learners. We look forward to working closely with Monica Sarin Foundation to equip aspiring healthcare professionals with industry-ready skills and successful career pathways.”
Vertiv Supports IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation’s Tie Up with Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills Uni to Nurture Data Center Talent in India
Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a critical digital infrastructure platform, supports the expansion of IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation’s data center skilling initiative into Maharashtra through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. As part of this initiative, IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University (RTMSSU) in the presence of Maharashtra Governor, Jishnu Dev Varma, during the “Start-up Frontier 1.0” exhibition and conference held at the Y B Chavan Auditorium in Mumbai last July 10, 2026.
Dr. A S Prasad, vice president product management and engineering, Vertiv India, said, “India’s digital infrastructure growth is creating increasing demand for professionals with specialized skills in data center operations and management. At Vertiv, we believe that building this talent pipeline requires close collaboration between the academia and industry. Through this initiative, we provide engineering students with practical knowledge, industry exposure and the skills needed to contribute to India’s evolving digital infrastructure ecosystem. We are pleased to support IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation and Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University in expanding this program to Maharashtra and enabling more students to prepare for careers in this high-growth sector.”
Dr. M.J. Shankar Raman, chief executive officer, IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, added, “As artificial intelligence continues to redefine industries and economies, data centers have become central to this digital transformation. This rapid growth has created an urgent need for skilled specialists who can operate and maintain these essential facilities. Through this program, we are dedicated to building a workforce that supports India’s AI ambitions with the technical talent required to sustain them.”
BITS Pilani & Indian AI Research Organisation Sign MoU to Strengthen India’s AI Research & Talent Ecosystem
The Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani and the Indian AI Research Organisation (IAIRO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen India’s artificial intelligence research ecosystem through collaborative efforts across research, innovation, education and talent development. Through this partnership, the two institutions aim to bridge academia and applied AI research, creating opportunities for collaborative innovation, knowledge exchange and the development of future-ready AI capabilities aligned with national priorities.
Prof. V. Ramgopal Roa, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani said, “As artificial intelligence has created a transformative impact across almost every sector, higher education institutions have a critical role in nurturing the next generation of AI talent. This collaboration with IAIRO reflects our commitment to strengthening India’s AI ecosystem through high-impact research, innovation, and meaningful industry-academia dialogue. By combining our academic strengths with IAIRO’s applied research expertise, we are confident of creating new opportunities for collaborative innovation and developing future-ready talent that addresses national priorities and creates global impact.”
Dr. Amit Sheth, Founding Director and CEO, Indian AI Research Organisation (IAIRO) said, “India’s leadership in artificial intelligence will depend not only on breakthrough technologies but also on how effectively we bring together academia, research institutions and industry to solve complex real-world problems. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to building a stronger AI research and innovation ecosystem for India. By combining academic excellence with applied research, we hope to accelerate talent development, foster innovation and create AI solutions that are scientifically rigorous, socially responsible and aligned with India’s long-term technological aspirations.”
IIT Gandhinagar Signs MoU with Indian AI Research Organisation to Advance AI Research & Talent Development
The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) and Indian AI Research Organisation (IAIRO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration in areas of artificial intelligence research, education, innovation and talent development. This collaboration will contribute to create a strong ecosystem for the promotion of advanced AI research and the encouragement of collaborative academic and research initiatives between the two institutions.
“The Indian AI Research Organisation is a significant step towards enhancing India’s AI research and innovation ecosystem. IAIRO is located in GIFT City, adjacent to IIT Gandhinagar and this collaboration is a natural opportunity to build each other’s strengths. AI is already changing the game in sectors like healthcare, life sciences and drug discovery, and will continue to expand across sectors. We combine our complementary expertise in research, talent development and innovation to deliver meaningful outcomes that contribute to India’s growing AI capabilities,” said Prof Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar.
Dr. Amit Sheth, Founding Director and CEO, Indian AI Research Organisation (IAIRO), said, “India’s AI ambitions will be realised through strong partnerships that connect world-class research with real-world innovation. Our collaboration with IIT Gandhinagar reflects this vision by creating a platform where academic excellence, applied research, and industry engagement come together to accelerate AI development. As we continue building the Gujarat AI Valley ecosystem, this partnership will play an important role in nurturing talent, enabling breakthrough research, and strengthening India’s position as a global AI innovation hub.”
