UPES and HPE Launch AI-Driven Centre of Excellence to Address India’s 600,000 AI Talent Deficit

UPES (University of Petroleum and Energy Studies) has partnered with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to launch the HPE Networking AI-Driven Centre of Excellence (CoE) at its Dehradun campus. The initiative marks a major step in the university's strategy to construct a comprehensive, AI-first learning ecosystem.

The Centre bridges academic theory and industry application, equipping students with practical capabilities across AI-driven networking architectures, hybrid cloud infrastructure, enterprise cybersecurity, and autonomous system management.

The CoE addresses a growing workforce shortage across India's technology ecosystem. According to a report by NASSCOM and Deloitte, India will require over 1.25 million AI professionals by 2027, facing an estimated supply gap of more than 600,000 skilled workers.

To narrow this gap, the HPE CoE integrates real-world enterprise infrastructure into the academic environment, ensuring that graduates gain practical experience with modern corporate IT stacks before entering the job market.

A Multi-Dimensional Learning Framework

Unlike conventional corporate training labs that function as isolated elective spaces, the HPE Networking AI-Driven CoE is integrated directly into the university's multidisciplinary academic fabric. The initiative spans several operational tracks:

• Curriculum & Faculty Enablement: Aligning course modules with current industry standards while running dedicated faculty development programs (FDPs) led by HPE engineering leads.

• Experiential Learning & Certification: Offering students access to hands-on laboratory setups, live network demonstrations, HPE-led intensive bootcamps, and official certification pathways at the HPE Networking Associate and Specialist levels.

• Talent Acquisition Pipelines: Providing high-performing students with opportunities for internships and direct recruitment pathways across HPE, its ecosystem partners, and global enterprise clients.

• Cross-Disciplinary Innovation: Encouraging project-based research that applies AI-driven network intelligence across diverse domains beyond computer science, including energy systems, smart logistics, and law.

High-Level Global Leadership Engagement

The inauguration served as the focal point of a day-long strategic engagement between UPES leadership and a delegation of global executives from HPE. The schedule included a leadership roundtable on industry-academia co-innovation, followed by a campus-wide student interactive session.

Shishir Singh, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Network Products & Advanced Technology at HPE Networking, delivered a keynote titled "The Bridge: Degree to Career," illustrating how students can translate academic training into high-impact engineering careers. The delegation also inspected the Bajaj Engineering Skills Training (BEST) Centre on campus to review the university's technical infrastructure.

The visiting HPE leadership group also featured:

• M. Muthukumar, Vice President – Platform Software Engineering & Managing Director, HPE Networking India.

• Maria Delting, Human Resource Leader – HPE Networking.

• Shalini Dutta, Head of Global Talent Acquisition.

• Beth Kremer, Senior Manager – University Recruitment & Programs and TA Operations.

• Samuel Daniel, India Leader – University Relations & Strategy.

• Archana Yadav, Senior Global Program Manager, HPE Academic Alliance.

Executive Perspectives on Institutional AI Alignment

Shishir Singh, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Network Products & Advanced Technology at HPE Networking, emphasized the importance of integrated skills:

"The future of enterprise technology will be shaped by professionals who can seamlessly combine AI, networking, cloud and cybersecurity to solve complex real-world challenges. We are delighted to partner with UPES to create an environment where students gain practical exposure to industry technologies, learn from practitioners, and build skills that are relevant to tomorrow's digital economy. Strong industry-academia partnerships like this are essential to developing the next generation of innovators and technology leaders."

Dr. Abhishek Sinha, Pro Vice Chancellor – Student Success at UPES, highlighted how the CoE aligns with the university's broader academic vision:

"AI is fundamentally reshaping enterprise technologies, and universities have a responsibility to ensure students are prepared not just for today's jobs, but for the careers and industries that are rapidly emerging. Through this partnership, our students will gain access to advanced technologies, global perspectives and experiential learning opportunities that will strengthen their ability to innovate, solve complex problems and lead in an AI-driven future. It is another important step in UPES' vision as India's AI-first university."

The establishment of the HPE Networking AI-Driven Centre of Excellence builds upon UPES's existing institutional alliances with global technology organisations, including OpenAI, Google Cloud, Salesforce, and Harvard Business Impact. By combining industry-led certifications with academic coursework, UPES and HPE provide a repeatable model for higher education, preparing engineers to design, secure, and manage the next generation of AI-driven enterprise infrastructure.

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