HCLTech partners with IIT Guwahati to upskill employees in AI

HCLTech has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati to offer employees enrolled in its early-career development program—TechBee—a pathway to advanced education in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and related technologies.

The two have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will allow eligible TechBee participants to pursue a four-year online Bachelor of Science (Honors) degree in Data Science and AI, while continuing their professional journey at the company.

The new initiative is designed to merge academic advancement with hands-on industry exposure, offering a distinctive dual-track career opportunity to India's growing base of young tech professionals.

Bridging learning and industry at scale

“HCLTech has long been at the forefront of creating alternative talent pipelines, empowering individuals to build successful careers in technology from diverse backgrounds,” said Subbaraman B, Senior Vice President at HCLTech.

“Our TechBee program provides high school graduates with a unique opportunity to kick-start their careers, and this collaboration with IIT Guwahati adds another valuable pathway for them to pursue their academic ambitions while gaining real-world industry experience,” said Subbaraman B.

Launched by HCLTech to tap talent straight out of high school, the TechBee program allows young professionals to work while studying, especially targeting students who want to pursue careers in IT but lack the means or inclination to take the conventional college route.

With this collaboration, TechBee graduates can now obtain an IIT-certified degree without interrupting their full-time roles.

Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, said,  “We are excited to collaborate with HCLTech, a global leader in technology and innovation, to advance early-career education in critical fields like Data Science and AI. HCLTech’s proven expertise in driving digital transformation, combined with IIT Guwahati’s academic excellence, makes this online degree program a powerful platform. It has been designed to offer accessible, high-quality education that empowers students to thrive in the ever-evolving technology landscape."

Equipping India's future tech leaders

The new degree program will be delivered entirely online, ensuring flexibility for working professionals. HCLTech stated that it will support enrolled employees with access to resources, mentorship, and structured industry-academic engagement to enrich the learning process.

“Through this initiative, we’re not just building skill sets—we’re shaping leaders who are ready for tomorrow’s technology challenges,” added Subbaraman.