Protiviti Member Firm for India has entered a strategic partnership with KIIT University to establish an AI Center of Excellence (CoE) at the university campus, itself thereby creating an integrated platform to prepare students and working professionals for the rapidly evolving demands of the AI-driven economy. The initiative brings together academic excellence, consulting expertise and industry relevance to develop future-ready talent across emerging domains including Artificial Intelligence, Generative and Agentic A disciplines and Data Science. 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 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 and Managing Director – Protiviti Member Firm – Middle East and 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.
