EY India and Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) launch AI VIBE to prepare students for AI-enabled careers

• Equipping students with in-demand AI skills through industry mentorship, applied learning and real-world business exposure
• A 12-month programme designed for SRCC students to develop the next generation of AI native professionals – a centennial milestone for SRCC

New Delhi, 17 August 2026: EY India and Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) today announced the launch of AI VIBE (Varsity for Innovation, Business and Economics), a first-of-its-kind immersive industry-academia initiative aimed at preparing students for careers in an AI-enabled economy. Jointly developed by SRCC and EY India, the 12-month programme combines academic excellence with industry immersion to help bridge the growing gap between classroom learning and the AI skills increasingly required in today’s workplace.

The EY-sponsored programme will be open to students from SRCC (Semester 3 onwards) and will follow a selective admissions process comprising assessments, interviews and submission of a Statement of Purpose (SOP). During the duration of the course, participants will be evaluated through continuous project-based assessments and a final evaluation.

As organizations increasingly integrate AI into core business processes, reskilling and AI literacy are becoming essential for success in entry-level roles. AI VIBE participants will receive immersive training in machine learning, Generative AI, AI agents, decision intelligence, data analytics, financial technologies, blockchain, responsible AI and AI governance, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving business environment.

Rajiv Memani, Regional Managing Partner of EY Africa India region, Chair – EY Growth Markets Council, Past President – CII, 2025-26, said “At a time when AI is transforming businesses and the workplace, while creating demand for the skills of the future, students must view AI literacy as a foundational capability and cultivate it through continuous learning and curiosity. Through AI VIBE, we are helping shape the next generation of talent and leaders in India, beginning with SRCC, one of the country’s premier undergraduate institutions. By combining academic excellence in AI with practical business experience, we aim to help students build the capabilities they need to thrive in the age of AI.”

The curriculum will be enriched through hackathons, mentoring, industry engagement and applied learning experiences designed to strengthen both technical expertise and business problem-solving capabilities. Students will learn from leading AI specialists from EY India and industry professionals.

Prof. Simrit Kaur, Principal, Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, said, “Higher education is entering a period of profound change, by connecting education with industry, we are bridging the skills gap and enabling students to enter the workforce with greater confidence and readiness. Through AI VIBE, SRCC and EY India are collaborating to create a new learning model that goes beyond traditional classroom instruction and enables students to engage with real-world business challenges, industry practitioners and emerging technologies in a structured and meaningful way. This will further elevate the learning and experience for the students. Indeed, a progressive initiative by SRCC in its Centenary!”

With an annual investment of over US$1 billion globally in AI-first platforms and solutions, EY is at the forefront of integrating technology across its services. Alongside advancing AI-led innovation for businesses, EY India continues to invest in developing future-ready skills for its people and the next generation of talent. EY India is accelerating AI readiness across its workforce through EY AI Varsity, an award-winning programme that has equipped about 50,000 employees with AI skills.

Extending this commitment beyond its workforce and into the wider ecosystem, EY and Microsoft have collaborated for the AI Skills Passport – a free, online program that provides equitable access to high-quality AI education for youth aged 16 and older. Building on initiatives such as Techathon, which attracts approximately 50,000 student entries annually to solve real-world problems using latest technologies, EY India is expanding its efforts to bridge the AI skills gap further through AI VIBE.