The Tech Panda takes a look at the efforts at skilling, upskilling, and reskilling in the tech industry.
Sustainability: CII-Green Business Centre Builds a National Bridge Between Academia and Industry
The Confederation of Indian Industry’s Green Business Centre (CII-GBC) is strengthening the bridge between academia and industry through its National Platform for Industry-Academia Collaboration for Research and Innovation in Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, with the initiative taking centre stage at the 25th CII Energy Efficiency Summit 2026 being held at HICC, Hyderabad.
K S Venkatagiri, Executive Director, CII-Green Business Centre, said: “The real value of research is created when an idea moves beyond the paper and begins solving a problem on the ground. This platform is designed to create that journey—from the laboratory to the pilot, and from the pilot to scale. By bringing researchers face-to-face with industry, we are creating an environment where academic excellence meets real-world experience, where industry challenges can inspire new research, and where promising technologies can find pathways to adoption. Our ambition is to build a sustained national ecosystem in which knowledge, innovation and industry action reinforce each other to accelerate India’s energy transition. Such platforms play a crucial role in recognising emerging ideas and enabling researchers to translate knowledge and research into practical, scalable solutions that create value for industry, society and the nation.”
Business Studies: AIMA & UVA Darden School of Business Enter Academic Collaboration
The All India Management Association (AIMA) and the University of Virginia Darden School of Business have entered into an agreement for academic collaboration and exchange to explore opportunities in management education, research and leadership development.
T V Narendran, President, AIMA and CEO & Managing Director, Tata Steel, said the association with UVA Darden would add a valuable global dimension to AIMA’s management and leadership development initiatives. “The business environment is changing rapidly, and management education and leadership development need to keep pace with that change. This collaboration brings together AIMA’s engagement with Indian industry and Darden’s academic and global expertise to create relevant learning and knowledge opportunities for managers and leaders,” he said.
Rekha Sethi, Director General, All India Management Association (AIMA), said, “We see considerable scope to build on this collaboration across executive education, research and knowledge initiatives. The immediate programme for public sector leaders is one such opportunity, and we look forward to developing more areas of engagement that draw on the strengths and networks of both institutions.”
“This partnership is ultimately about creating learning that leaders can put to work,” said Melissa Thomas-Hunt, vice dean and senior associate dean for professional degree programs at UVA Darden. “By bringing Darden’s highly interactive approach together with AIMA’s deep connections across India’s management community, we can help leaders strengthen their judgment, respond to disruption and create meaningful impact.”
Cybersecurity: ISACA Foundation Scholarship Program Expands Access to Tech & Cybersecurity Education
The ISACA Foundation has opened its next cycle of the global ISACA Scholarship Program, continuing its commitment to broaden access to education and career opportunities in high-demand digital trust fields, such as cybersecurity and IT audit. Eligible students pursuing these fields worldwide, particularly those who may not have traditionally had access to opportunities in the tech industry, are encouraged to apply now through 3 November 2026.
“Through the ISACA Foundation scholarships and the support that accompanies them, the Foundation is committed to helping more students build the necessary skills, connections and confidence to pursue meaningful careers in cybersecurity, IT audit, and other digital trust fields,” said Sara Hill, Senior Manager, ISACA Workforce Advancement Programs.
“Creating a stronger tech workforce requires intentional investment in access, representation and career development,” said Julia Kanouse, ISACA Chief Membership Officer. “The ISACA Foundation, as well as ISACA’s academic partnership programs, helps open doors for emerging professionals while cultivating the diverse perspectives organizations need to meet tomorrow’s challenges.”
Cleantech: BIMTECH & Institute of Actuaries of India (IAI) Sign MoU to Build Professional Capabilities in Carbon Markets & Climate Finance
Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), an AACSB-accredited business school in India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Institute of Actuaries of India (IAI) to strengthen professional learning and build capabilities in emerging and relevant areas of professional development.
Dr. Prabina Rajib, Director, BIMTECH said, “The transition towards a low-carbon economy is not only an environmental imperative but is increasingly shaping business, finance and risk decisions. As carbon markets evolve, there is a growing need for professionals who understand how these markets function and the opportunities and risks they create. Our Certification Programme on Carbon Credits & Carbon Markets, developed as the first initiative under our partnership with the Institute of Actuaries of India, seeks to address this need by bringing together perspectives on carbon markets, finance, regulation and risk. Through this collaboration, we aim to build relevant, future-ready capabilities in areas that will increasingly influence businesses and professionals.”
Dr. Ruchita Verma, Executive Director, IAI, said, “The evolving climate and sustainability landscape presents new opportunities for professionals with strong analytical and risk-management capabilities. Our collaboration with BIMTECH will enable us to jointly create learning programmes that respond to these emerging professional requirements and build awareness in areas of growing relevance.”
Software & Semiconductor Design: Synopsys, COEP Technological University, CADFEM to Advance Engineering Education with Strategic Digital Twin & Multiphysics Collaboration
Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS), the company in silicon to systems design solutions, in collaboration with COEP Technological University and CADFEM India, has set up the Ansys Digital Twin & Multiphysics Lab at the COEP campus during the 2026 Symposium. The important academic engagement took place with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard. The collaboration aims to bridge the academia and industry gap by equipping students, researchers and faculty with access to advanced engineering simulation technologies that are increasingly shaping product innovation across industries. The collaboration is set to accelerate research, foster innovation, and develop industry-ready engineering talent.
Gilles Eggenspieler, Director, Global Academic Program, Synopsys, said: “Engineering is becoming increasingly software-defined. Simulation and digital twin technologies are now central to how future products are designed and validated. Through this collaboration with COEP, Synopsys is investing in the next generation of engineers and providing them with access to industry-leading simulation technologies, hands-on learning opportunities and exposure to real-world engineering workflows. This strengthening of academia and industry collaboration is vital to prepare students for the evolving demands of global engineering and innovation.”
Prof. Sunil Bhirud, Vice Chancellor, COEP Technological University, said while speaking about the partnership, “COEP Technological University is a strong believer of combining academic excellence and industry engagement. This collaboration with Synopsys will considerably strengthen our research and learning ecosystem. The industries of tomorrow require innovation, interdisciplinary research and practical engineering skills and the new laboratory and associated academic initiatives will help nurture them.”
