Odisha, India— 25 Aug 2026— PwC India and SAP India today announced an 18-month long immersive skill development programme for engineering students in the country. This initiative aims to equip students with industry-relevant skills and certifications to enhance their workforce readiness.
The launch was marked by the signing of an MoU with Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) Bhubaneswar, the first academic institution PwC India and SAP India are partnering with under the University Alliances initiative in India. This programme will subsequently be expanded to other universities in India.
“India has a unique opportunity to become the world’s talent engine, but achieving that requires stronger collaboration between academia and industry. This programme is designed to equip students with future-ready skills and hands-on experience as they prepare to enter the workforce. We are pleased to partner with SAP India to help build a pipeline of skilled talent for India’s digital economy,” said Sanjeev Krishan, Chairperson, PwC in India.
Designed for Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) students across Computer Science, Electronics & Communication, Information Technology, and AI/ML disciplines, the programme combines SAP-certified learning with practical industry experience and focused skill-building sessions to prepare students for technology-oriented careers. Students demonstrating strong performance will also be eligible for six-month internships with PwC India, with further opportunities for full-time employment.
“As AI reshapes the future of work, industry-academia collaboration is critical to building the talent of tomorrow. Our partnership with PwC India bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world application, giving students hands-on exposure to SAP technologies and future-ready skills via the SAP University Alliances Program in India. Together, we are helping build a workforce that can adapt, innovate, and lead, while strengthening India’s position as a global technology and talent hub.” said Manish Prasad, President & Managing Director, SAP India.
This initiative is aligned with PwC’s Vision 2030, which aims to contribute to India’s growth story by providing accessible and affordable learning opportunities to the youth, enabling seamless transitions into employment, and creating a skilled and future-ready workforce.
“As industries continue to evolve in the face of rapid technological changes, initiatives such as the Career Readiness Training Programme are natural building blocks towards our ambition of creating the workforce of tomorrow and our aspiration of ‘Kal ka Bharat’ — a resilient, equitable, and self-sufficient India,” said Sanjeev Krishan, Chairperson, PwC in India.
PwC India remains committed to fostering industry-academia collaboration, enabling industry-ready talent for successful deployment, and creating a bridge between ambition and opportunity.
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