UPES, a multidisciplinary university in Dehradun, has announced a collaboration with Salesforce, a prominent provider of AI-powered customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. The partnership aims to launch a new B.Tech Computer Science Engineering (CSE) program with a specialization in Data Science, designed to equip students with skills in artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and enterprise technology.

UPES Salesforce Academia Centre of Excellence Established

Central to this collaboration is the establishment of a Salesforce Academia Centre of Excellence (CoE) at UPES. This facility is intended to serve as a hub for AI skilling, developer certifications, applied research, and faculty development. The CoE will integrate Salesforce’s digital learning platform, Trailhead, and aims to foster innovation projects and industry engagement. The initiative includes a Train-the-Trainer model for faculty development and will provide students with hands-on experience using enterprise platforms from the outset of the program.

Curriculum Co-Creation and Industry Readiness

The B.Tech program is structured around a “Triple-C” model—Co-create, Co-deliver, and Co-certify—indicating a joint effort between UPES and Salesforce in curriculum development, program delivery, and student certification. The curriculum will incorporate enterprise CRM technologies, AI applications, data platforms, analytics, and intelligent automation.

Students will gain direct access to Salesforce’s enterprise platforms, including Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Data Cloud, and Tableau, as integral components of their studies. The objective is for graduates to not only earn a B.Tech degree but also acquire industry-recognized Salesforce certifications, enhancing their readiness for roles in an AI-driven economy. Access to Salesforce’s Education Cloud will also be provided, alongside opportunities for live industry projects, internships, and participation in Salesforce learning communities.

Cultivating India’s AI Talent Pool

The collaboration aligns with UPES’s stated vision to become an “AI-First University,” integrating emerging technologies across its curriculum, research, and industry engagement strategies.

Professor (Dr.) Abhishek Sinha, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Success) at UPES, stated that the partnership reflects a commitment to preparing professionals with practical, certified capabilities for an AI-driven economy. He noted that the Triple-C model and the Centre of Excellence are intended to establish a national benchmark for university-industry co-creation.

Mankiran Chowhan, Managing Director at Salesforce India (https://www.salesforce.com/in/), emphasized the increasing importance of AI fluency in the future workforce. She stated that the collaboration with UPES aims to prepare students for this evolving reality by combining foundational engineering education with practical experience in AI, data, and enterprise technologies. Chowhan indicated that the Salesforce Academia Centre of Excellence will contribute to developing future-ready talent capable of driving innovation and growth.

This partnership underscores a broader effort by academic institutions and technology companies to bridge the skills gap in advanced technologies and foster the next generation of AI-proficient professionals in India, an important development for the future of tech education and the job market. You can read more about such industry developments on TechnoSports(https://technosports.co.in/).