Mumbai: Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, in collaboration with McGill University, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Centre of Excellence in AI Education and Research in India.
The MoU was signed on the margins of an event attended by Anita Anand, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India.
The agreement was formalized by Shyam S Bhartia, Founder & Chairman, Jubilant Bhartia Group; Hari S Bhartia, Founder & Co-Chairman, Jubilant Bhartia Group; and Professor Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor, McGill University.
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Centre of Excellence to Advance AI Education and Research
The Centre of Excellence in AI Education and Research is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry-relevant applications.
The initiative aims to produce job-ready AI engineers and future research leaders aligned with India’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
Initially, the Centre will offer a Master’s program that combines strong academic foundations with applied learning and structured industry engagement.
Students enrolled in the AI Education and Research program will work on projects connected to real technological challenges and emerging needs in the AI sector in India.
Shyam S Bhartia, Founder & Chairman, Jubilant Bhartia Group and Hari S Bhartia, Founder & Co-Chairman, Jubilant Bhartia Group said: “India is at the forefront of digital innovation, and the need for industry-ready AI talent has never been greater.
Through our partnership with McGill University, we are creating a powerful ecosystem where academic rigor meets real-world execution thus supporting India’s vision of becoming a global AI powerhouse. The Centre of Excellence in AI Education and Research will produce professionals who can move seamlessly from classroom concepts to enterprise-scale AI deployment.”
Professor Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor, McGill University, Canada, added: “The Centre of Excellence in AI Education and Research in India represents an important step in expanding the University’s global presence, strengthening international partnerships, and extending its academic reach.
I want to thank both the Government of Canada and the Government of India for acknowledging the Centre, as well as our partner, the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, for its close collaboration. I look forward to the next steps of this project in which we will design the curriculum, apply academic standards, oversee quality assurance, and enhance research partnerships”.
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Strengthening India’s AI Education and Research Ecosystem
The partnership will leverage McGill University’s research-led AI ecosystem to build an innovative academic framework integrating strong theoretical foundations with practical implementation.
The Centre of Excellence in AI Education and Research will also function as a research hub, fostering AI solutions tailored to India’s digital transformation journey.
The Master’s program under this AI Education and Research initiative will be offered annually to Indian graduates. Key features of the program include:
- Rigorous academic quality benchmarks
- Curriculum agility to adapt to evolving industry needs
- Applied learning through live projects and industry case studies
- Global best practices in AI research and innovation
- Continuous assessment and mentorship from international faculty and industry experts
Driving India’s AI Education and Research Vision
As India’s digital economy expands rapidly, artificial intelligence adoption continues to accelerate across sectors. However, industry stakeholders have highlighted a shortage of engineers with deep expertise in AI systems, with traditional degree pathways struggling to keep pace with technological advancements.
Anchored by McGill University’s academic excellence and supported by extensive industry collaboration from the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, the Centre of Excellence in AI Education and Research aims to bridge this talent gap.
