Student exchanges, AI training and academic partnerships create opportunities for professional development.
Educational partnerships between India and Singapore are opening new opportunities for students, professionals and businesses. Through internships, academic exchanges and professional certification programmes, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Singapore is connecting participants with practical industry experience and specialised knowledge. Since 2024, CII Singapore’s programmes have involved students, business executives and companies from both countries, with a focus on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, logistics and sustainability.
In an interview with INDiplomacy, Mr. Avnish Patnaik, Chief Representative and Head of CII Singapore, discusses the India Ready Talent Programme with Enterprise Singapore and the collaboration with the National University of Singapore’s Institute of Systems Science. He also shares insights into student exchanges, executive training and ongoing discussions with Singaporean institutions on potential partnerships in sustainability, technology and start-up cooperation.
What research and academic collaborations is CII Singapore currently working on this year?
On the research and academic collaborations side, we focus on capacity-building programmes, student exchanges, and driving cross-border research and innovation.
One of our principal initiatives is the India Ready Talent Programme, which we undertake with Enterprise Singapore and is supported by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Through this programme, Singaporean undergraduates undertake credit-bearing internships with companies in India. The objective is to give them direct exposure to the Indian market, corporate environment and emerging business opportunities.
We are also continuing our partnership with the National University of Singapore’s Institute of Systems Science through the CII–NUS-ISS AI Programme for Business Leaders. This programme helps Indian industry executives and board directors understand artificial intelligence, digital transformation and AI governance.
In July 2026, the CII Global Leadership Centre in Amravati and NUS conducted the first Digital Sustainability Course for senior sustainability professionals.
We are also supporting the Singapore India Partnership Foundation on reciprocal student-immersion programmes. In addition, discussions are underway with Singaporean universities and institutions on collaboration in sustainability, technology and start-up cooperation.
How many students, researchers, institutions or companies are currently involved or expected to participate?
Since 2024, 58 Singaporean undergraduates have participated in the India Ready Talent Programme over three rounds. Ten Indian multinational companies and three Singaporean companies have participated as host organisations.
Our India and Singapore Experience Programmes have involved 57 students. Of these, 31 Singaporean students have travelled to India, and 26 Indian students have visited Singapore.
The CII–NUS-ISS AI Programme has trained 82 Indian industry executives and board-level leaders over four batches since 2024.
Our joint certification programmes with the Singapore Logistics Association have also certified 78 executives: 50 in Digital Supply Chain Transformation and 28 in Digital Warehousing and Automation Management.
Some leading Indian companies are also exploring using Singaporean Institutions for Research Projects.
Which organisations and partners is CII Singapore engaging or working with this year, both in India and Singapore?
We work with a broad range of government agencies, universities, business associations and companies in both countries. We work closely with Enterprise Singapore, Economic Development, and Singapore Business Federations on multiple avenues.
We also work with the Singapore Logistics Association, Singapore Water Association, Singapore Environment Council, and Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) on sectoral projects.
We are building a strong partnership now with the National Youth Council for their India Programmes.
On the Indian side, we work through several CII Centres of Excellence, including the CII Global Leadership Centre, CII Green Business Centre, CII-Triveni Water Institute, CII Institute of Logistics and CII Centre of Excellence on Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Start-ups. Indian universities, leading Indian companies and the High Commission of India in Singapore are also important partners in our work.
What activities or initiatives is CII undertaking with these partners?
Our emphasis is on converting institutional relationships into projects with measurable outcomes.
As mentioned, these activities include credit-bearing internships for Singaporean students in India; reciprocal student-immersion programmes; and executive education in artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
In the start-up space, we are developing capacity-building and market-access opportunities for Indian and Singaporean enterprises.
In sustainability, we have facilitated the transfer of Singaporean clean technologies and services to projects in India through the CII – Enterprise Singapore Net Zero Programme. We are also working towards an India–Singapore Water Forum.
Our GreenPro Ecolabel initiative is working with the Singapore Environment Council on mutual recognition with the Singapore Green Label. This includes dual licensing and the development of Mutual Recognition Agreements for specific product categories.
Youth leadership and entrepreneurship are being promoted through Young Indians Singapore Chapter and the India–Singapore Youth Summit. We also continue to support policy advocacy efforts through platforms such as the India–Singapore Strategic Dialogue and CII’s Annual Core Group engagements.
Are there any new partnerships, programmes or projects that CII Singapore plans to launch in the coming months?
CII’s Centre of Excellence on Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Start-ups is working with Singapore’s Action Community for Entrepreneurship to formalise an MoU for an India–Singapore Startup Bridge. We are also exploring start-up capacity-building programmes involving Singaporean universities.
The CII-Triveni Water Institute and the Singapore Water Association are developing a framework for an India–Singapore Water Forum, together with a proposed joint white paper on water-sector opportunities and challenges.
Following the ecolabelling MoU with the Singapore Environment Council, we intend to develop Mutual Recognition Agreements for selected product categories and expand dual-certification arrangements.
For the first time, the National Youth Council (NYC) and CII-Y are co-organising a study trip to India from in October 2026. The delegation comprises NYC senior management, youth leaders, and staff from Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) partnering with NYC on the Asia-Ready Exposure Programme (AEP). The visit seeks to deepen youth leaders’ understanding of India’s economic and cultural landscape, strengthen networks with key Indian and Singaporean companies operating in India, and facilitate peer exchange with emerging Indian youth leaders.
More broadly, we will continue working on developing research, academic, and capacity-building partnerships in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, healthcare, and other emerging technologies.
Source: IN Diplomacy Reporter
