The Jubilant Bhartia Foundation in collaboration with McGill University (Canada), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create the Centre of Excellence in AI Education and Research. The MoU was signed on the margins of an event with Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Anita Anand, and Shri Jayant Chaudhary, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and also Minister of State for Education, Government of India.
The MoU was signed by Shyam S Bhartia, Founder & Chairman, Jubilant Bhartia Group and Hari S Bhartia, Founder & Co-Chairman, Jubilant Bhartia Group and Professor Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor, McGill University.
This Centre of Excellence in AI Education and Research is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry-relevant applications, with the goal of producing job-ready Al engineers and future research leaders. It will first offer a Master’s program that combines strong academic foundations with applied learning and industry engagement. Students will work on projects connected to real technological challenges and emerging needs in the AI sector in India.
Commenting on the occasion, Shyam S Bhartia, Founder & Chairman, Jubilant Bhartia Group and Hari S Bhartia, Founder & Co-Chairman, Jubilant Bhartia Group said, “India is at the forefront of digital innovation, and the need for industry-ready AI talent has never been greater. Through our partnership with McGill University, we are creating a powerful ecosystem where academic rigor meets real-world execution thus supporting India’s vision of becoming a global AI powerhouse. The Centre of Excellence in AI Education and Research will produce professionals who can move seamlessly from classroom concepts to enterprise-scale AI deployment.”
Professor Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor McGill University, Canada said,
“The Centre of Excellence in AI Education and Research in India represents an important step in expanding the University’s global presence, strengthening international partnerships, and extending its academic reach. I want to thank both the Government of Canada and the Government of India for acknowledging the Centre, as well as our partner, the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, for its close collaboration. I look forward to the next steps of this project in which we will design the curriculum, apply academic standards, oversee quality assurance, and enhance research partnerships”.
This partnership will leverage McGill University’s research led AI ecosystem to create an innovative program that integrates strong theoretical foundations with practical implementation. The Centre will also serve as a research hub to foster AI solutions tailored to India’s digital transformation journey.
The Centre will offer a Master’s program for India’s graduates each year. The program will emphasize rigorous academic quality, curriculum agility that adapts to evolving needs to remain relevant; applied learning through live projects and industry case studies; global best practices in AI research and innovation; and continuous assessment and mentorship from international faculty and leading industry experts.
Driving India’s AI Vision
India’s digital economy is growing rapidly, with artificial intelligence adoption at the forefront of this transformation. Yet industry continues to report a shortage of engineers with deep expertise in AI systems, as traditional degree pathways struggle to keep pace with the speed of technological change. Anchored by McGill University’s academic excellence and supported by extensive industry collaboration from the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, the Centre of Excellence in AI Education and Research aims to bridge this critical talent gap.
The Centre is expected to develop high-impact AI professionals ready for global careers, accelerate research and innovation in applied AI and help strengthen industry-academia collaboration models.
About Jubilant Bhartia Group
Jubilant Bhartia Group is a USD multi‐billion global conglomerate with global presence in diverse sectors like Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Food Service (QSR) and Auto Retail. With 56,000 global workforce and presence in 80+ countries, the Jubilant Bhartia Group has four listed companies on the India Stock Exchanges. The Group prioritises Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), use of renewable energy and digitisation at the core of their operations. Jubilant Bhartia Foundation, the CSR arm of the Group, is deeply committed to Corporate Social Responsibility, focused towards Primary Education, Healthcare, Skills and Community Development and Social Entrepreneurship.
About McGill University
Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, McGill University is Canada’s top ranked medical doctoral university. McGill is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, not only nationally, but internationally. It is a world-renowned institution of higher learning with 12 faculties, 14 professional schools, 700 programs of study, over 40,000 students, including more than 10,000 graduate students, and research activities spanning three campuses. McGill attracts students from nearly 150 countries around the world, its 11,000 international students making up 27% of the student body. Over half of McGill students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 20% of students who say French is their mother tongue.
