IIIT Bangalore and Microsoft Teams Up with upGrad to Launch Generative AI Certification for Leaders

upGrad launches a new 4-month GenAI for Leaders certification with Microsoft and IIIT Bangalore. This course aims to equip mid-career and seasoned professionals in India with AI expertise.

International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Bangalore, in collaboration with Microsoft and upGrad, announces a new certification in Generative AI for Leaders. This program aims to build a larger community of AI-ready business experts in India. The unique 4-month course is designed with applied learning concepts to train mid-career and seasoned professionals in core AI competencies, positioning them as formidable forces within the tech field.

This industry-first curriculum leverages an inclusive framework, enabling learners to assess, design, and transform business problems by applying acquired knowledge to real-life situations. Supported by a strong tech faculty from IIIT Bangalore, the curriculum features live sessions with Microsoft, setting the stage for India Inc. to upskill and lead the global AI talent supply chain. The pedagogy also includes additional elaborate elements such as:

• Build Your Own Business (BYOB) Case allows learners to bring their business cases and develop solutions throughout their learning journey, ensuring relevant and hands-on experience
• Engage with industry stalwarts through live sessions and masterclasses, featuring the Chief Technology Officer of Capgemini, an Entrepreneur and Former Partner at Tata Insights and Quants, the AI/ML Lead at Jio Platforms Limited, and a Former Principal Data Scientist at HP India.
• Include six modules encompassing understanding and application of AI and Gen AI in business, and crafting strategies with ROI-focused project planning
• Curated Capstone Projects to apply learned concepts to a comprehensive project, demonstrating mastery
• Reverse-engineered content and workshops with Microsoft and certification to enhance professional credentials
• 25+ live classes, multiple workshops, and access to cutting-edge AI tools such as ChatGPT, DALL-E, etc

Learners who complete the course and graded projects will receive a completion certification from IIIT-Bangalore. Additionally, they will have a 1-day offline immersion at both the Microsoft Development Centre and the IIIT-Bangalore campus.

“As Generative AI revolutionizes the workforce, mastering AI-driven productivity tools is crucial for professionals. By joining forces with upGrad and IIIT Bangalore, we offer real-world exposure and seamlessly integrate AI tools into educational frameworks. Our strategic industry-academia collaboration equips professionals with the skills to thrive in the evolving tech landscape, driving innovation, and sustainable growth in India’s tech sector,” said Venkat Krishnan, Executive Director of Public Sector, Healthcare, and Education at Microsoft India.

V Sridhar, Professor In-charge of Continuing Professional Education, IIIT-Bangalore explained the programme is structured to be in line with the market requirements. “AI, and in particular Generative AI is making inroads into every aspect of business processes including marketing campaigns, customer service, and process automation across varied industries such as transportation, hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail to name a few. With this in mind, we at IIIT-Bangalore, in collaborative partnership with the tech industry, offer this programme targeted at business leaders to understand and deploy effective AI solutions in their organisations.”

Mayank Kumar, Co-founder & MD, upGrad said, "Our collaboration with Microsoft and IIIT-Bangalore brings together the best of academia and industry, providing professionals with the skills needed to stay ahead. Leaders need to understand and leverage AI for driving business results and therefore, upskilling in such industry-ready skills will drive the next wave of talent and economic growth in India."

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