PUNE: upGrad School of Technology (UGSOT) and Ajeenkya DY Patil University (ADYPU) today announced a strategic partnership to launch a four-year residential B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering (Artificial Intelligence) Program, designed to equip students with a UGC-recognised degree alongside industry-relevant AI engineering skills from the outset.

The program aims to bridge the widening gap between traditional engineering education and the rapidly evolving demands of the AI-driven workforce. The inaugural batch is scheduled to commence in August–September 2026.

Open to students who have completed Class 12 with a minimum of 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) from a recognised board (CBSE, ICSE, or State Boards).

Under the collaboration, Ajeenkya DY Patil University will provide campus infrastructure, residential learning environment, and award a UGC-recognised B.Tech degree. UGSOT, in collaboration with ADYPU, will support the delivery of an industry-integrated learning experience featuring live instruction from engineers working at leading global technology companies, an AI-first curriculum refreshed every six months, hands-on coding and product-building sprints from the first semester, and regular interactions with founders, CXOs, and industry leaders.

Students can choose from three future-focused specialisations:

Full Stack AI & Cloud Innovation – covering end-to-end software development, AI applications, and cloud-native technologies

AI & Quantum Computing – combining artificial intelligence with emerging quantum computing concepts and applications

AI & GenAI Engineering – focused on generative AI, large language models, and next-generation AI product development

In addition to technical training, the program integrates a startup track across seven semesters, enabling students to develop entrepreneurial, leadership, and business acumen alongside engineering expertise.

Graduates will also gain access to upGrad’s career support ecosystem of 3,000+ hiring partners and a placement network that facilitated over 110,000 placements between FY23 and FY25, strengthening their pathways to employment and career growth.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr.Ajeenkya DY Patil, Chairman, Ajeenkya DY Patil Group and Chancellor, Ajeenkya D.Y. Patil University, said: “At the Ajeenkya DY Patil Group, we have always believed that education must evolve with the future. This partnership brings together academic credibility and industry relevance, ensuring students graduate with both a recognised degree and the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

Vishwa Mohan, CEO, upGrad School of Technology, said: “India has never had a shortage of engineering talent — it has had a shortage of engineering education that keeps pace with what the industry actually needs. This partnership with Ajeenkya DY Patil University is built to close that gap: a real degree, a real campus, and real skills that employers hire for from Day 1. That is the model we are bringing to every university we work with.”

Adding to this, Mehul Khandhedia, Chief Revenue and Outcome Officer, upGrad School of Technology, said, “The employability gap in engineering is not a curriculum problem — it is a systemic one. Our partnership with ADYPU fixes it at the root: by building industry outcomes directly into the degree, not as an add-on after graduation.”

India produces nearly 1.5 million engineering graduates annually, yet a significant employability gap continues to challenge the sector. While engineering remains one of the country’s most popular career paths, many graduates may lack the industry-ready skills required in emerging fields such as AI, cloud computing, and advanced software engineering. As demand for future-ready talent accelerates, the partnership between upGrad School of Technology and Ajeenkya DY Patil University aims to bridge this gap through an industry-integrated, AI-first engineering education model.

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MUMBAI: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the backbone of India’s digital payments ecosystem, today announced the launch of its new brand positioning, ‘Always Forward,’ reinforcing its commitment to continuous innovation and inclusivity within India’s financial and payments landscape. NPCI’s new positioning highlights its belief that digital financial transactions are key drivers of individual and national progress, empowering millions to move forward, one transaction at a time.

For over a decade, NPCI has led India’s digital payment revolution with innovations like UPI, IMPS, RuPay, BHIM, AePS, and NETC FASTag among others. These platforms have made secure digital transactions accessible nationwide, driving India toward a digital-first economy. NPCI’s robust payment infrastructure enables seamless, low-cost transactions across the country, empowering every Indian to access digital financial services with ease and confidence.

At the heart of the ‘Always Forward’ positioning is India’s evolution into a ‘striver’s economy,’ where millions of individuals are motivated to seek continuous progress, investing time and resources to achieve their goals. NPCI aims to empower these strivers, sharing their optimism for a brighter future. By offering cutting-edge payment solutions, NPCI is transforming this optimism into real progress, helping individuals move forward with confidence and ambition.

Ramesh Yadav, Chief of Marketing, NPCI, said, “Always Forward’ will resonate with the inner striver in everyone, who aspires for a brighter future and leverages technology to advance it. This positioning reflects our dedication to making financial transactions not only easy and secure but also a catalyst for personal and national progress. NPCI’s ‘Always Forward’ is a celebration of progress, innovation, and the transformative power of digital payments to shape India’s future.”

As part of this initiative, NPCI is launching its brand campaign under the same name. The campaign will feature dynamic creatives across print, digital, ambient media, and cinema, all designed to inspire and engage a diverse audience nationwide. The campaign highlights how NPCI’s solutions empower individuals to move forward in life with ease and confidence.

In addition to showcasing real-life use cases, the ‘Always Forward’ campaign aims to inspire India’s next generation of strivers—young students, tech enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs—to embrace digital payments and actively participate in the evolving digital economy. The campaign seeks to build trust, emphasize NPCI’s impact, and foster greater inclusivity in India’s payments landscape. ‘Always Forward’ is not just a campaign but a movement reflecting NPCI’s enduring commitment to driving innovation and inclusivity, ensuring that every Indian, from every corner of the country, has the tools to participate fully in a digital future.

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The 18th edition of the three-day flagship biennial event ‘Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) 2024’ organized by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) concluded today. SIAT 2024 was held at the Pune International Exhibition and Convention Centre (PIECC) – Moshi, PCMC from 23rd to 25th January 2024.

Dr. Reji Mathai; Director of ARAI,  Vikram Shinde; Sr. Deputy Director and Convener at SIAT 2024, were among the dignitaries present on the dais.

The database ‘ARAI – MARG 2.0’ i.e., Measurement and Analysis of Road Geometry an initiative by ARAI, was released at the hands of the dignitaries at the event. Prizes for stalls exhibited, research papers, and special poster competitions for students were also given during the event.

“While providing sustainable options for the auto industry, the primary goal should be the nation’s well-being. Safety-sensitive approaches should be adopted while manufacturing any product. The emphasis should be on the reduction of imports while promoting the production of alternative fuels. As a result, we have to build a holistic ecosystem along with an integrated approach for sustainable alternatives,” Dr Saravanan further added.

He also highlighted the importance of skilled manpower, and how organizations like ARAI should conduct training programs for creating such skilled manpower.

Speaking on the occasion Dr Reji Mathai said, “During SIAT 2024, technical experts shared recent developments in the automotive sector from topics such as E-mobility, Simulation & Modelling, Emission Measurement & Control Technology, Advanced Vehicle Dynamics, Active and Passive Safety, Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH), Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Hydrogen I.C. Engine, Testing & Evaluation, Structural Reliability, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Alternative Fuels, ITS & Regulation, Tyre Technology and Materials & Manufacturing. I am glad that this led to a much-anticipated discussion on future technologies. I hope that it must have given everyone an idea of how the technology could hold up as we chase the zero emissions goal shortly.“

SIAT 2024, had technical deliberations with over 210 technical papers and keynotes on futuristic topics by global experts. The selected papers were published in the form of Symposium Proceedings along with the release of a Technical Reference Bulletin containing technical articles, case studies, products, and service information.

The symposium witnessed a gathering of over 1500 automotive technocrats.  Technical experts from 9 countries were present and discussed their research work in 48 technical sessions (8 parallel sessions). In addition, there were 3 plenary sessions and a panel discussion on the theme of SIAT 2024- ‘Transformation Towards Progressive Mobility’.

SIAT Expo 2024 served as an ideal platform for global players in the automotive domain to exhibit their products, technologies, innovations, and services through stalls. “The SIAT EXPO24 showcased 170 companies across the globe, at 340 stalls. This edition of SIAT also featured a Futuristic Technology Pavilion, a Medium Small Scale and Start-up Pavilion (MSSSP) along with a Live Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) demonstration area. Vikram Shinde expressed a vote of thanks.  

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