IIIT Bangalore and upGrad Mark 10 Years of Partnership with 31,000+ Graduates

The International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) recently hosted its Graduation Ceremony for Continuing Professional Education Programmes, where 2,456 learners graduated.

The ceremony celebrated the achievements of learners across online programmes such as the Executive Post Graduate Programme in Data Science, Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence, and Software Development. Around 500 learners attended the event in person, while over 1,500 joined online from across the globe.

This ceremony is a significant milestone for IIIT-Bangalore and upGrad, marking 10 years of a successful collaboration that has impacted thousands of professionals. This enduring partnership continues to empower professionals with future-ready skills and global opportunities.

This special graduation ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Mr. Ambarish Kenghe, Group CEO, Angel One; Mr. Ronnie Screwvala, Co-founder, upGrad; Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore; Prof. Chandrashekar Ramanathan, Dean, Academics, IIIT-B; Prof. V. Sridhar, Faculty In-charge, Continuing Professional Education, IIIT-B; Cmde S R Sridhar (Retd.), Registrar, IIIT-B; and faculty members of IIIT-Bangalore.

While addressing the graduating learners, Chief Guest Mr. Ambarish Kenghe, Group CEO, Angel One, said, “AI is not just transforming industries but also defining how we work, live, play and learn. Global AI spending is expected to reach USD 480 billion by 2026. This only partly captures the scale of transformation underway. For students and professionals stepping into this future, the opportunity is not just to participate but to lead, innovate, and shape the future.”

In his welcome address, Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore said: “Having pioneered the online certificate programmes in cutting-edge technology areas such as AI/ML, Data Science and Software Development for the past 10 years, in collaboration with upGrad, we are graduating today 2,456 learners. We are proud to say that about 31,000 learners have so far benefitted from our programmes and have successfully transitioned into new roles in these technology areas in industry and academia.” 

Our decade-long partnership with IIIT-B is a testament to how academia and industry can together redefine higher education at scale. These programs have supported thousands of professionals in making successful career transitions while reinforcing the need for lifelong learning. What stands out is the determination of our learners to embrace rigorous programs alongside their careers, a reminder that in an era of rapid change, sustained curiosity and adaptability are as critical as technical skills. Looking ahead, our focus is on deepening this impact - building talent pools that are not only employable today, but indispensable for tomorrow’s workforce and the future of global higher education,” said Ronnie Screwvala, Co-founder & Chairperson, upGrad.

The ceremony not only celebrated learner success but also reaffirmed the shared vision of IIIT-Bangalore and upGrad to transform careers through world-class education, with a commitment to continued collaboration and shaping the future of professional learning globally.