New Delhi, 2nd January 2026 – Techvantage AI announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Kattankulathur Campus, Chennai. The partnership establishes a long-term collaboration focused on education, applied research, innovation, and talent development in Artificial Intelligence, with a strong emphasis on the emerging field of Agentic AI.
As part of the collaboration, Techvantage and its Agentic AI–focused spin-off, Zentis AI Technologies, aim to bridge the gap between academic learning and enterprise-grade AI implementation by enabling students to engage with modern agent-based systems in a structured, industry-aligned learning environment.
The collaboration will include quarterly faculty development programs to ensure educators are equipped to teach next-generation AI concepts and applied agentic systems. By aligning faculty capabilities with evolving industry needs, the partnership seeks to strengthen the delivery of practical, future-ready AI education.
Commenting on the association, Deviprasad Thrivikraman Pillai, CEO Techvantage and Managing Director, Zentis AI Technologies, said, “Agentic AI is not just another technological wave; it represents a fundamental shift in how intelligence is designed, deployed, and experienced. For India to lead in this frontier, universities must move beyond theory into applied innovation. This collaboration with SRM is a deliberate step in that direction. It enables students to experiment with agent-based systems in a real lab setting while equipping faculty with the depth required to guide them. We believe this industry–academia bridge will help future-proof the workforce for an AI-driven world.
Industry collaboration plays a vital role in preparing students for emerging technology landscapes. Through this MoU with Techvantage, SRMIST aims to explore avenues for academic interaction, applied learning, and joint initiatives that align institutional strengths with industry perspectives in Artificial Intelligence.”- Dr. R. Annie Uthra, Professor and Head, Department of Computational Intelligence, SRM Institute of Science and Technology.
The partnership will also span a wide range of experiential learning initiatives. Techvantage and SRMIST will jointly conduct hackathons, ideathons, datathons, and similar innovation-focused academic events designed to expose students to real-world problem statements and enterprise-grade challenges. These initiatives will emphasize analytical thinking, problem-solving, and applied AI development. Techvantage and Zentis will contribute by defining industry-relevant use cases, providing mentorship, and participating in evaluations, while SRMIST will extend institutional support through faculty involvement, infrastructure, and student participation.
The MoU also enables the execution of real-time industry projects within academic and consultancy-oriented frameworks. Initial engagements may be structured as pilot projects within the academic ecosystem, allowing faculty and students to work on defined industry use cases under guided supervision. Based on outcomes, select projects may evolve into formal consultancy engagements, and high-performing students may be considered for internships or extended opportunities with Techvantage and Zentis AI.
As part of the talent development agenda, Techvantage and Zentis may offer structured summer and winter internships to eligible undergraduate students, particularly those in their second and third years of study. Subject to hiring requirements, the companies may also participate in annual placement drives to recruit final-year students. In addition, the collaboration will explore the design and delivery of credit-based professional elective courses aligned with emerging AI technologies and industry expectations, combining academic rigor with applied learning.
The partnership further provides scope for joint research initiatives and the possible establishment of a Centre of Excellence to support long-term applied research, prototype development, and knowledge creation. Both organisations may pool resources, including platforms, infrastructure, and research support, to maximise impact. Faculty members from SRMIST may also participate in short-term industry immersion programs at Techvantage, gaining exposure to live enterprise projects and evolving AI practices.
The MoU formalises an existing engagement between Techvantage and SRMIST, which has already included student innovation initiatives and placement-related interactions, and provides a structured framework to expand and sustain collaboration over the coming years.
In the future, Techvantage and SRMIST may jointly explore the establishment of an Agentic AI laboratory on the SRMIST campus, subject to mutual agreement and alignment at a later stage.
Following the signing of the MoU, the first academic modules and lab activities will roll out at the start of Q1 2026.
