Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting and business solutions, has announced a collaboration with the Institute of Engineering & Management (IEM), Kolkata, to establish an AI-focused Centre of Excellence (CoE) on September 28, 2026. The initiative seeks to create a sustained platform for industry-academia collaboration, bringing together TCS’ technology and industry expertise with IEM’s academic ecosystem to advance applied learning, research, experimentation and innovation.
The Centre of Excellence will enable students and faculty to engage with emerging AI technologies, explore industry-relevant use cases and gain practical exposure to their real-world applications. The initiative is designed to strengthen the connection between academic learning and evolving technology and business requirements.
From Classroom Learning to Real-World Application
Envisaged as a two-year engagement, the collaboration will go beyond conventional academic partnerships to create a stronger interface between classroom education, AI-led research and industry application. TCS and IEM will jointly undertake a range of initiatives through the CoE, including AI-focused workshops, faculty development programmes, student learning and skill-based certification initiatives, joint research and proofs of concept, and the development of industry-relevant AI use cases.
Students will also have opportunities to work on active projects under the mentorship of TCS professionals. Hackathons, innovation challenges and knowledge-sharing programmes will further provide avenues for students and faculty to experiment with emerging technologies and translate ideas into practical solutions.
Building Talent for an AI-Driven Future
Abhijit Niyogi, Vice President & Business Head – Retail, Europe, TCS, said, “The skills needed for tomorrow will increasingly be shaped by how effectively we connect academic learning with real-world technology and business challenges. Our collaboration with IEM is about creating that bridge. By bringing together academic talent, research capabilities and TCS’ industry experience, we want to create an ecosystem where students and faculty can experiment, innovate and develop solutions with practical relevance. We see this as a long-term platform for nurturing future-ready talent and fostering co-innovation.”
Strengthening the Academia-Industry Interface
Prof. Dr Satyajit Chakrabarti, Director, Institute of Engineering & Management, Kolkata, said, “Our endeavour has always been to ensure that education remains closely connected with the changing needs of industry and society. The Centre of Excellence with TCS will enable our students and faculty to engage more deeply with emerging technologies, applied research and real-world problem solving. We believe this collaboration can create an important bridge between ideas developed within academia and their application at scale in industry.”
Creating a Sustained Innovation Ecosystem
Established in 1989, the Institute of Engineering & Management (IEM), Kolkata, accredited by relevant statutory and professional bodies, including NAAC and NBA, is an AICTE-approved institution offering programmes across engineering, technology and management.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is a global IT services, consulting and business solutions organisation headquartered in Mumbai, India. Established in 1968, TCS is a flagship company of the Tata Group and a subsidiary of Tata Sons.
Through the Centre of Excellence, TCS and IEM aim to build a sustained ecosystem for innovation and talent development that connects academic knowledge with industry application. The initiative will create opportunities for students and faculty to learn from industry experts, undertake applied research, experiment with emerging AI technologies and develop solutions addressing real-world challenges.
