UPES has announced a collaboration with Salesforce to develop the next generation of AI and data professionals through a new industry-integrated academic program and a dedicated Centre of Excellence.
The partnership will introduce an industry-focused B.Tech Computer Science Engineering (CSE) program with a specialization in Data Science, jointly developed by UPES and Salesforce. The initiative aims to equip students with practical skills in artificial intelligence, data analytics, enterprise technologies, and digital transformation.
Industry-Integrated Learning Model
The program is built around a Triple-C framework — Co-create, Co-deliver, and Co-certify — allowing both organizations to jointly design and deliver the curriculum.
Students will gain exposure to enterprise technologies including Agentforce Sales, Agentforce Service, Data 360, Tableau, and Agentforce, integrating real-world business platforms directly into their academic journey.
Along with a B.Tech degree, students will also have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized Salesforce certifications, enhancing their employability in an increasingly AI-driven economy.
Salesforce Academia Centre of Excellence
A key component of the collaboration is the establishment of a Salesforce Academia Centre of Excellence (CoE) at UPES.
The CoE will focus on AI and technology skilling, developer certifications, faculty development, innovation projects, applied research, and industry engagement through Salesforce’s learning platform, Trailhead.
The center will include specialized laboratories and operate on a Train-the-Trainer model, helping faculty members stay updated with evolving AI and enterprise technology trends.
Hands-On Enterprise Experience from Year One
Students enrolled in the program will have access to Salesforce’s Education Cloud and Agentforce technologies from their first year.
The curriculum will be supported by live industry projects, internship opportunities, certification pathways, and participation in Salesforce learning communities. These experiences are designed to provide exposure to real-world business challenges while strengthening workplace readiness.
Supporting UPES’ AI-First Vision
The collaboration aligns with UPES’ vision of becoming an AI-First University, where emerging technologies are embedded across academics, research, innovation, and industry engagement.
By combining academic learning with enterprise technology platforms and industry certifications, UPES and Salesforce aim to create a model for academia-industry collaboration that helps build an AI-ready workforce for India’s growing digital economy.
Comments on the news:
Prof. (Dr.) Abhishek Sinha, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Success), UPES, said, “At UPES, we believe that education must evolve as fast as the industries our graduates will enter. Our collaboration with Salesforce is rooted in a shared commitment to producing professionals who are genuinely ready to lead in an AI-driven economy, not just theoretically, but with certified, hands-on capability. What we are building with the Triple-C model and the Centre of Excellence is a foundation for the future—one that will expand across disciplines and set a national benchmark for university-industry co-creation.”
Mankiran Chowhan, Managing Director at Salesforce India, said, “AI is fundamentally reshaping how we work, create, and innovate, making AI fluency a core capability for the workforce of the future. As India advances its ambition to become a global AI powerhouse, the focus must shift from simply adopting technology to building the talent that can harness it responsibly and at scale. Through our collaboration with UPES, we are reimagining how industry and academia can work together to prepare students for this new reality—combining foundational engineering education with hands-on experience in AI, data, and enterprise technologies. The Salesforce Academia Centre of Excellence will help create future-ready talent equipped to drive innovation, productivity, and growth across industries.”
Also read – BD Soft Expands Gujarat Cybersecurity Ecosystem, Plans to Add 50+ New Channel Partners
Join us on LinkedIn for quick updates – FYI9 News LinkedIn
