TCS AND IEM KOLKATA JOIN HANDS TO ADVANCE AI RESEARCH AND INDUSTRY-BASED LEARNING
September 29, 2026
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and the Institute of Engineering & Management (IEM), Kolkata, have announced a collaboration to establish an artificial intelligence-focused Centre of Excellence (CoE), aimed at strengthening research, practical learning and industry-oriented technological innovation. The initiative, announced on September 28, 2026, is designed to create closer links between academic education and the evolving requirements of the technology sector.
The collaboration is planned as a three-year engagement, providing students and faculty members with opportunities to explore emerging AI technologies, conduct applied research and develop solutions to real-world industrial challenges. The centre will facilitate specialised workshops, faculty development programmes, skill-based certification initiatives and joint research projects involving academic and industry professionals.
Under the initiative, students will have opportunities to participate in active projects under the mentorship of TCS professionals, alongside hackathons, innovation challenges and knowledge-sharing activities. The programme will also support the development of proofs of concept and industry-relevant AI applications, allowing participants to gain practical exposure beyond conventional classroom instruction.
TCS Vice-President and Business Head Abhijit Niyogi said the collaboration aims to connect academic capabilities with practical technological and business challenges. IEM Director Professor Satyajit Chakrabarti stated that the centre would enable students and faculty to engage more deeply with emerging technologies, applied research and real-world problem-solving.
The Centre of Excellence is expected to support the development of industry-ready skills and encourage collaborative innovation between academia and the technology sector. The partnership also forms part of TCS’s wider academic alliance programme, which seeks to expand cooperation with educational institutions and nurture future talent in artificial intelligence and related fields.
