PwC India and NIIT University (NU) announced a strategic partnership to create a trained talent pool of cyber security professionals in India, on December 28. Academics from NU and senior professionals of PwC India have co-created a two-year work-integrated specialised Masters programme in cyber security. This postgrad programme is the first cyber security study programme that blends academic and professional education, with PwC India being an equal partner in developing and delivering the programme.

“In today’s digitised environment, securing the cyberspace has become a top priority of businesses and citizens across the world. This calls for teams of trained professionals who are equipped to combat the challenges posed by hackers every day. Our partnership with PwC India is a step in this direction,” said Rajendra S. Pawar, chairman of the NIIT Group and founder of NU.
Added Deepak Kapoor, chairman of PwC India: “Cyber security is a major focus area and growth driver for PwC India. We currently have around 300 people in this practice and need to increase it tenfold to about 3,000 over the next four-five years. In this programme with NU, PwC India is collaborating with academia to bring industry-ready talent with required customised skill-sets, into the marketplace.”

New UK-India initiative

The Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid, MP and secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, and Jo Johnson, minister of state for universities and science in the UK government announced the launch of the ‘2016 UK-India Year of Education Research and Innovation’ campaign in New Delhi on December 10.

According to a UK government spokesperson, the year-long campaign will highlight the strength and mutual benefits of the bilateral relationship between India and the UK across a range of digital technology-enabled education and training initiatives.

“The UK is committed to supporting prime minister Modi achieve the goal of preparing young Indians for the 21st century.

Over the past ten years, the UK-India relationship in education, science and technology has grown substantially with the introduction of bilateral programmes such as UKIERI and the Newton-Bhabha Fund. The new initiative will further support research, catalyse innovation and forge lasting intellectual partnerships between the UK and India,” said Sajid Javid, speaking on the occasion.

The UK-India Year of Education, Research and Innovation programme was developed by a UK-India working group in July 2015 and announced during the visit of prime minister Narendra Modi to London last November.

MaGE-Open University concordat

The Bangalore-based Manipal Global Education Services (MaGE) inked a MoU with UK’s Open University — one of the world’s oldest open universities — in Bangalore on December 10.

“This partnership will explore collaborations to support the development of innovative programmes focused on equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace,” said a joint statement released by MaGE chief executive S. Vaitheeswaran and Open University vice chancellor Peter Horrocks.

“Education is increasingly moving online, and this MoU between two established leaders in the education space will allow both to offer learners high quality, cross-spectrum learning, based on the latest needs of industry,” said Vaitheeswaran speaking on the occasion.  

“The UK higher education sector is among the best in the world. By working with international partners, students can reap the rewards of combined experience and expertise. This exciting new partnership brings together institutions from the UK and India who are leaders in combining cutting-edge technology with focus on industry-relevant learning. I have no doubt this agreement will help provide students with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace,” added Jo Johnson, UK minister of state for universities and science.

Deakin-GE India research venture

Deakin University, Australia (estb.1974) signed an agreement with the GE India Technology Centre to undertake collaborative activities and research projects, on December 29. The collaboration agreement has been signed under the Deakin India Research Initiative (joint supervision programme) and will require students to spend time at GE India Technology centres while writing their Ph D theses at Deakin.

Currently, 5,300 researchers and engineers work in GE’s technology centres in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai. The John F. Welch Technology Centre (JFWTC), Bangalore, is GE’s first and largest lab outside the United States 

“The partnership with GE India Technology Centre is testament to our commitment to harness the best and brightest from India and our growing recognition of India as a global centre for technology research,” said Prof. Peter Hodgson, pro vice chancellor of strategic partnerships of Deakin University. 

Added Mariasundaram Antony, general manager of India engineering operations at GE India Technology: “The initiation of this partnership between GE and Deakin will open up opportunities to collaborate in cutting-edge research areas of mutual interest. I am confident this relationship will continue to build in the years to come.”