upGrad has announced a new certification program in GenAI for Leaders in collaboration with Microsoft and the International Institute of IIIT Bangalore. This 4-month course is designed to train mid-career and seasoned professionals with core AI competencies through applied learning concepts.
The industry-first curriculum leverages an inclusive framework, enabling learners to assess, design, and transform business problems by applying acquired knowledge in real-life situations. The program is bolstered by strong tech faculty support from IIIT Bangalore and includes live sessions with Microsoft.
Key elements of the pedagogy include a Build Your Own Business (BYOB) case, engagement with industry stalwarts, six comprehensive modules, curated capstone projects, reverse-engineered content and workshops with Microsoft, and access to cutting-edge AI tools such as ChatGPT and DALL-E.
“As Generative AI revolutionises the workforce, mastering AI-driven productivity tools is crucial for professionals,” said Venkat Krishnan, Executive Director of Public Sector, Healthcare, and Education at Microsoft India. “By joining forces with upGrad and IIIT Bangalore, we offer real-world exposure and seamlessly integrate AI tools into educational frameworks.”
Dr. V Sridhar, Professor In-charge of Continuing Professional Education at IIIT Bangalore, emphasised the program’s alignment with market requirements, stating, “When technologies such as these get embedded into businesses, it is the need of the hour for senior leaders to understand how such technologies can be deployed optimally within their organisations to reap the maximal benefits for all stakeholders.”
“This course is not about teaching leadership in the AI era but empowering leaders to adopt and lead GenAI initiatives in a practically,” added Mayank Kumar, Co-founder & MD of upGrad. “Our collaboration with Microsoft and IIIT Bangalore brings together the best of academia and industry, providing professionals with the skills needed to stay ahead.”
Learners who complete the course and graded projects will be eligible for a completion certification from IIIT Bangalore, along with a 1-day offline immersion at both the Microsoft Development Centre and the IIIT Bangalore campus
