Protiviti, KIIT set up AI Center of Excellence in Bhubaneswar
Protiviti has partnered with KIIT University to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center of Excellence (CoE) on the university campus, aimed at developing industry-ready talent in emerging technology domains.
The initiative is designed to combine academic infrastructure with industry expertise to deliver application-oriented learning in areas such as artificial intelligence, generative and agentic AI, and data science. InsightVerge will serve as the strategic knowledge partner, responsible for designing and delivering programmes under the CoE.
The Centre will focus on experiential learning through live consulting assignments, industry projects, capstone programmes, and mentorship from practitioners. It will also offer executive education and professional upskilling programmes for working professionals seeking to build capabilities in AI and related fields.
Sanjeev Agarwal, CEO and Managing Director, Protiviti Member Firm for Middle East and India, said the initiative addresses the growing demand for talent that can combine technical expertise with business and governance understanding.
“Artificial Intelligence is fundamentally changing the way organizations operate, compete and create value. As businesses accelerate their AI journeys, there is an urgent need for talent that understands not only the technology but also its business, governance, and risk implications,” Agarwal said.
He added that the CoE will aim to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements by providing practical exposure and business context to students.
During the event, KIIT University conferred the Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) on Agarwal, recognising his professional contributions and leadership in building Protiviti’s Middle East and India practice.
Prof. (Dr.) Kumar Mohanty, Director Industry Engagement and KSOM at KIIT University, said the collaboration is intended to align academic programmes with industry needs.
“At KIIT University, we have always believed that education must evolve alongside industry. This collaboration… will provide our students with real-world exposure to emerging technologies, consulting practices, and business problems that matter,” Mohanty said.
The CoE will also function as a platform for innovation, incubation, and research, with a focus on solving real-world business challenges using emerging technologies.
The partnership comes as demand rises for professionals who can integrate AI capabilities with business strategy, cybersecurity, governance, and risk management, as organisations expand their AI-led transformation initiatives. The Centre aims to contribute to building a steady pipeline of such talent from Odisha.
