IIEST Shibpur and TCS Partner to Launch Centre of Excellence in AI

The Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur, has partnered with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The collaboration is aimed at providing students and researchers with opportunities to develop AI skills, undertake practical projects, and participate in research across emerging technology areas. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IIEST Shibpur and TCS was signed on September 22nd, 2026, in the presence of Prof. V M S R Murthy, Director of IIEST Shibpur, and senior officials from TCS. Under the partnership, the existing high-performance Computing Lab in the Electrical Engineering Department at IIEST Shibpur will serve as the physical venue for the new Centre of Excellence.

Centre to Focus on AI Learning and Research

The new centre is intended to connect academic learning with practical applications of artificial intelligence. According to the institute, the partnership will combine IIEST Shibpur's academic expertise with TCS's technology and industry experience.

The Centre of Excellence will focus on developing skills, providing industry-recognised training and creating opportunities for students to gain practical experience. Professional certifications, hands-on projects and internships are also included among the planned activities.

The initiative is expected to support students from different disciplines. The centre will function as an off-site hub where students can undertake TCS internships under the supervision of faculty members and industry professionals.

Key features of the Centre of Excellence include:

• AI skill development and specialised training

• Professional certification opportunities

• Hands-on projects and internships

• Faculty and industry-supported learning

• Research in emerging AI technologies

Research Across Multiple AI Domains

The collaboration will also support applied research in several areas of artificial intelligence. These include Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision, Image Processing, and Advanced Data Analytics. Researchers and students will be able to explore applications of these technologies through projects and collaborative work.

The centre will also provide mentorship for emerging AI startups and student-led entrepreneurial ventures. TCS is expected to support the institute by helping establish benchmarks and align academic curricula with current industry standards.

The partnership comes as universities and higher education institutions expand their focus on emerging technologies and practical learning opportunities. The development reported by EducationNewsNetwork adds to the growing number of initiatives through which students are being introduced to specialised areas of technology alongside their regular academic programmes.

Supporting Student Opportunities

For students, the Centre of Excellence could provide access to learning opportunities that extend beyond conventional classroom instruction. Internships, hands-on projects and industry-supported training can allow learners to explore how AI technologies are applied to real-world challenges.

The initiative will also bring together talent from different institutions. IIEST Shibpur plans to use the centre as a regional and national platform for addressing industrial and societal challenges through technology.

The institute said the collaboration is aligned with national transformation frameworks, including Digital India and Viksit Bharat 2047. The centre is intended to contribute to the development of a future-ready workforce while supporting applied research and the wider AI ecosystem.

Focus on Emerging Technology

The IIEST-TCS partnership is expected to create a structured environment where students, researchers, faculty members and industry professionals can work together. The involvement of TCS will provide an industry perspective, while IIEST Shibpur will contribute its academic and research expertise.

The development is also relevant to TopEducationNews, as artificial intelligence continues to become an important area of study across higher education institutions. The new centre provides another platform for students to gain exposure to AI-related technologies, research and professional opportunities.

With skill development, internships, research, and entrepreneurship included in its planned activities, the Centre of Excellence is set to become an important part of IIEST Shibpur's technology-focused academic initiatives. The collaboration between the institute and TCS is expected to provide students and researchers with opportunities to engage with artificial intelligence through both academic and practical learning.