Protiviti Member Firm for India has partnered with KIIT University to establish an AI Center of Excellence (CoE) on the university campus, aiming to strengthen India’s future AI workforce and bridge the gap between academia and industry.
The strategic collaboration will create an integrated platform focused on AI-led learning, research and development, innovation, incubation, consulting capabilities and enterprise-ready talent development.
The AI Center of Excellence will prepare students and working professionals for the evolving requirements of the AI-driven economy. Its programmes will focus on emerging areas including Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, Agentic AI and Data Science.
The initiative combines KIIT University’s academic capabilities with Protiviti’s industry and consulting expertise to provide learners with practical, industry-relevant exposure and skills.
As the strategic knowledge partner and associate of Protiviti Member Firm for India, InsightVerge will design, deliver and support the academic and professional programmes offered through the AI Center of Excellence.
The partnership is expected to create new opportunities for AI education, applied research and innovation while helping develop a skilled talent pool equipped to meet the growing demand for AI professionals across industries.
The CoE has been established to strengthen industry-academia collaboration by delivering application-oriented learning through live consulting assignments, industry projects, capstone programmes, mentorship, executive education and practitioner-led classroom engagement. Beyond academic programmes, the Centre will also serve as a platform for innovation, incubation, research and venture-building initiatives that encourage students to solve real-world business challenges using emerging technologies.
The partnership reflects the growing need for universities and industry to work together in developing a workforce equipped not only with technical capabilities but also with consulting, governance and business transformation skills required by organizations undergoing AI-led transformation.
Speaking on the association, Sanjeev Agarwal, CEO & Managing Director – Protiviti Member Firm – Middle East & India, said: “Artificial Intelligence is fundamentally changing the way organizations operate, compete and create value. As businesses accelerate their AI journeys, there is an urgent need for talent that understands not only the technology but also its business, governance, and risk implications. Our partnership with KIIT University represents an important step towards building that future workforce. Through this AI Center of Excellence, we aim to combine academic learning with practical industry experience, to equip students with the practical skills, industry exposure and broader perspective needed to contribute meaningfully to India’s rapidly evolving AI and digital economy”.
During the occasion, KIIT proudly conferred the Doctor of Letter (Honoris Causa) upon Sanjeev Agarwal in recognition of his remarkable contributions and distinguished professional journey over the past three decades, establishing and driving the growth of Protiviti’s Middle East & India practice.
Prof. (Dr.) Kumar Mohanty, Director Industry Engagement and KSOM, KIIT University, said, “At KIIT University, we have always believed that education must evolve alongside industry. This collaboration with Protiviti Member Firm for India and InsightVerge will provide our students with real world exposure to emerging technologies, consulting practices, and business problems that matter. The AI Center of Excellence will strengthen experiential learning through industry-led curriculum, live projects, mentorship and innovation initiatives, preparing our students with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the rapidly changing global economy.”
The Centre will also support executive education and professional upskilling, enabling working professionals to build capabilities in AI and adjacent disciplines that are increasingly becoming critical across industries. As organizations continue to embed AI into core business operations, demand is growing for professionals who can combine technology expertise with business strategy, governance, cybersecurity, risk management, and consulting skills.
The AI Center of Excellence aims to address this need by creating a sustainable talent pipeline equipped to contribute to India’s digital transformation agenda.
