Team siliconindia

• SSAHE partners with upGrad to integrate AI-driven, hands-on, and application-first engineering education.
• Students gain early access to Quantum Computing, AI, ML, Robotics, and Full Stack Engineering.
• Collaboration offers prototyping labs, masterclasses, and seed-support to nurture future tech innovators.

Karnataka’s Deemed-to-be-University, Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education (SSAHE), has announced a strategic collaboration with upGrad School of Technology to embed an industry-aligned School of Technology within its existing engineering programs. This partnership aims to transform traditional engineering education by integrating cutting-edge technology learning, research exposure, and industry-ready skill development.

The initiative, led by Vishwa Mohan, CEO, and Mehul Khandhedia, Chief Revenue and Outcome Officer of upGrad School of Technology, will provide academic and curriculum advisory support to SSAHE. Through this collaboration, students will experience AI-powered personalized learning, continuous skill tracking, and structured pathways for specialization from the very first year. Programs will emphasize research projects, build sprints, and practical learning, ensuring students gain hands-on experience alongside theoretical knowledge.

Focusing on emerging fields such as Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, and Full Stack Engineering, the partnership will strengthen SSAHE’s existing engineering framework. Students will actively engage in project-based learning, coding practice, and industry-linked experiences, offering early exposure to tech roles and product-focused thinking. This approach ensures graduates are not just academically equipped but also ready to contribute effectively in real-world technology roles.

Commenting on the launch, Dr G. Parameshwara, Chancellor of SSAHE and Karnataka Home Minister, said, “This collaboration marks a transformative moment for SSAHE. By blending global education practices with our strong academic foundation, we are preparing our students to lead India’s next wave of technological progress”. Dr. Vivek Veeraiah, Advisor to the Chancellor, added, “Every student will now graduate as a future-ready technologist, with global-standard learning seamlessly integrated into their curriculum”.

In the later phases, the initiative will provide students access to prototyping labs, seed-support channels, and masterclasses from global founders and CTOs, fostering innovation and entrepreneurial skills within the University’s ecosystem.

Vishwa Mohan and Mehul Khandhedia jointly highlighted, “Universities have long built strong theoretical foundations. Our goal is to provide an application-first learning layer, so by graduation, students are industry-ready contributors, not just freshers”.

Phase one will focus on partnerships across South India, with plans to scale nationally. Ronnie Screwvala, reflecting on India’s evolving talent landscape, said, “We’re no longer competing on cost but on capability. SSAHE and upGrad are laying the foundation for India’s next generation of innovators and job creators, setting benchmarks the world will follow”.

The official inauguration of the upGrad School of Technology at SSAHE will take place in Bengaluru on 20 December, bringing together academic and industry leaders to discuss how India’s engineering youth will shape the Viksit Bharat journey.