McGill is establishing a new Centre of Excellence in AI Education and Research in India – an important step in expanding the University’s global presence, strengthening international partnerships and extending McGill’s academic reach.
This announcement was made as part of an academic mission to India, led by Universities Canada and attended by the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Mark Carney, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Anita Anand.
The Centre is scheduled to launch in May 2027 and will welcome its first cohort in fall 2027, beginning with 50 students and expected to increase to approximately 200 students over time.
A new anchor for McGill’s presence in India
The Centre will offer a master’s program that combines strong academic foundations with applied learning and industry engagement. Students will work on projects connected to real technological challenges and emerging needs in the AI sector.
“This initiative supports McGill’s long-term objective to deepen its presence in India. It expands McGill’s ability to deliver high-quality education and research internationally and reflects our commitment to building purposeful global collaborations,” said Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor.
Global engagement creates Faculty-driven opportunities
The Centre reflects McGill’s broader approach to global engagement: opening opportunities internationally that become concrete only when Faculties choose to lead. With the Centre now advancing, McGill and its partner in India are entering a phase in which the Faculty of Engineering will design the curriculum, define academic standards, oversee quality assurance and shape research directions, while the Indian partner engages stakeholders locally.
“The role of my unit is to open doors. We create pathways, but meaningful partnerships only happen when our Faculties choose to lead. The Centre is a strong example of that leadership in action,” said Anja Geitmann, Vice-President, Global Engagement.
Viviane Yargeau, Dean of Engineering, said her Faculty is eager to develop a rigorous program that reflects McGill’s high standards.
“We look forward to developing a program that integrates strong academic foundations with applied experience, preparing graduates to contribute immediately in the global AI sector,” she said.
Industry collaboration rooted in long‑standing ties to McGill
This initiative builds on more than a decade of engagement with Shyam S Bhartia, founder and chairman, Jubilant Bhartia Group and Hari S Bhartia, founder and co-chairman of the Jubilant Bhartia Group and longstanding member of the McGill President’s International Advisory Board.
Their support has strengthened links between McGill and India’s industry leaders. The new Centre extends this collaboration and reflects a shared commitment to advancing education, research and innovation.
The Jubilant Bhartia Group will provide the land, facilities and operational capacity needed to establish and sustain the Centre, along with connections to companies across India’s expanding AI and technology sectors.
This industry-integrated approach will keep the program aligned with evolving market needs while raising the international visibility of Canadian higher education.