VTU, Google enter academic agreement for AI skills, placements

Published 21 July 2026 · tech

To provide engineering students with skills, placements, and practical education, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has entered into an academic agreement with Google. VTU Vice-Chancellor S

To provide engineering students with skills, placements, and practical education, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has entered into an academic agreement with Google. VTU Vice-Chancellor S. Vidyashankar, Registrar (Administration) Prasad B. Rampure, and Head of Google for Education India Sanjay Jain signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday. The purpose of the MoU is to provide training in Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills, faculty skill development, cloud computing, data science, and cybersecurity, and to prepare students for industry requirements and employment opportunities. Similar agreements have also been signed with Qualcomm, Bharat Skills Institute Foundation, and SEEL Company.

Speaking after the signing, Prof. Vidyashankar said, “VTU has 220 engineering colleges with three lakh students. After completing engineering, students must be ready for immediate employment that is aligned with industry needs. Hence, we have partnered with Google and other companies to emphasise skill education. This will truly benefit engineering students.” Jain said, “We are delighted to sign this agreement. Through this programme, we will train both students and faculty according to industry requirements. Based on the Education Policy (NEP) and State Education Policy (SEP), we have several learning models that will be introduced.” Meanwhile, Qualcomm, through its subsidiary Stem Lore Innovators LLP, has signed an agreement to provide long-term education in AI, product prototyping, embedded systems, and Internet of Things (IoT).

A Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Edge AI will be established. An MoU has also been signed to provide skill education to students. A CoE will be set up in phases at an estimated cost of ₹20 crore, the release said. Through Mysuru’s e-learning centre, an advanced digital learning platform, Simulation Enabled Experiential Learning (SEEL), is being launched. Students can log in online and perform lab work. All the required software will be available. Engineering and MBA students can benefit from this. Since it operates on the cloud, students can log in anytime.

Materials for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) examination preparation, past question papers, mock tests, industry-based courses, AI-powered mock interviews, access to over 1,900 industrial projects and internships, technical webinars, workshops, and expert interactions will be provided, said the release.