Mumbai, March 02, 2026: Jubilant Bhartia Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with McGill University, Canada, to establish a Centre of Excellence in AI Education and Research in India.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Anita Anand, and Shri 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 signed 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.
The Centre of Excellence is intended to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry application in artificial intelligence. It will initially offer a Master’s programme that combines academic foundations with applied learning and industry engagement. Students will work on projects aligned with technological challenges and emerging AI needs in India.
Shyam S Bhartia and Hari S Bhartia 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, said, “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.”
The Centre will leverage McGill University’s research ecosystem and academic standards to deliver a programme focused on theoretical grounding and practical implementation. It will also function as a research hub to support AI innovation relevant to India’s digital economy.
The Master’s programme will emphasise academic quality, curriculum adaptability, live industry projects, global research practices and ongoing mentorship from international faculty and industry experts. The initiative aims to address the reported shortage of engineers with advanced AI expertise by strengthening industry-academia collaboration and preparing graduates for global careers.
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