The partnership aims to strengthen digital leadership and responsible AI capabilities among Indian companies.
new delhi and singapore, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Confederation of Indian Industry and the National University of Singapore (NUS), NUS-ISS, have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly advance digital leadership and governance capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) for Indian companies through an exclusive executive certification program. The MOU was exchanged at the CII Annual Business Summit in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri N. Chandra Babu Naidu. His Excellency Simon Wong, High Commissioner of Singapore to India. CII Chairman Mr. Rajiv Memani and CII Vice-President Dr. Suchitra Ella.
From left to right – Mr. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII; Mr. Rajiv Memani, Chairman, CII; Shri N. Chandra Babu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. NUS-ISS CEO Koon Chan Meng. Dr. Suchitra Ella, CII Vice President and Singapore High Commissioner to India, His Excellency Simon Wong
The partnership aims to strengthen India’s digital transformation ecosystem by providing businesses with strategic understanding and practical insights into AI, digital governance, cybersecurity, innovation leadership and emerging technologies.
As part of this collaboration, CII and NUS-ISS will jointly “Leadership Program on Artificial Intelligence and Governance”is a unique capability-building certification program designed for board members, chief executive officers (CXOs), industry leaders, and senior decision makers as they navigate the evolving global technology environment.
The program builds on the success of three pilots conducted at NUS-ISS in Singapore in November 2024, May 2025 and November 2025. Under the new agreement, the two organizations will formalize and expand this effort, with plans to implement the program biannually in 2026, 2027, and 2028. So far over 65 Indian industry executives have been trained under this initiative.
Mr. Chandrajit BanerjeeCII Secretary General said:
“India’s growth journey will increasingly be shaped by how effectively industry leaders embrace digital transformation and AI-driven innovation. Over 65 Indian industry executives have been trained through this initiative. Our aim is to train over 100 industry executives by the end of 2026. This initiative also complements the ‘digitization’ and ‘upskilling’ pillars under the policy. A comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Singapore. ”
NUS-ISS CEO Koon Chan MengHe further added, “This partnership with CII reflects our shared commitment to building future-ready leadership capabilities for the industry. As AI rapidly reshapes business and the economy, leaders need to understand both the opportunities and governance implications of AI adoption. Through our Leadership Program on Artificial Intelligence and Governance, NUS-ISS looks forward to helping Indian companies develop strategic digital leadership capabilities and foster responsible innovation.”
CII’s Global Leadership Center, based in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, will focus on joint programs on leadership and digitalization with NUS-ISS under the MoU.
The partnership will also explore broader areas of collaboration in digital upskilling, including executive education programmes, specialized training for industry professionals and enhanced knowledge exchange efforts between India and Singapore.
About Confederation of Indian Industry
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization representing more than 9,700 direct members from the public and private sectors, including small and medium-sized enterprises and multinational corporations, and an indirect membership of more than 365,000 companies through sectoral trade associations.
About National University of Singapore (NUS)
The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s flagship university, offering a global approach to education, research and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. We have 15 colleges, departments and schools across three campuses in Singapore, and more than 40,000 students from 100 countries, creating a vibrant and diverse campus community. We have also established more than 20 NUS Overseas University Entrepreneurial Hubs around the world.
Our interdisciplinary and pragmatic approach to education, research and entrepreneurship allows us to work closely with industry, government and academia to address important and complex issues relevant to Asia and the world. Researchers in our departments, research centers of excellence, corporate labs, and more than 30 university-level research institutes focus on themes that include energy. Environmental and urban sustainability. Disease treatment and prevention. active aging. Advanced materials. Financial system risk management and resilience. Asian studies. Smart Nation capabilities such as artificial intelligence, data science, operations research, and cybersecurity.
Learn more about NUS here. nus.edu.sg.
About NUS-ISS
Founded in 1981, NUS-ISS develops industry’s digital talent through graduate education, executive education programs, consulting, applied research, and career services. Through a unique portfolio of multiple learning pathways, including blended learning and stackable programmes, NUS-ISS guides individuals and organizations to bridge future opportunities, leading the way in shaping the next curve of digital excellence. We offer a wide range of programs in key industry areas, including digital leadership, software development, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, product management, smart health, and digital innovation.
To date, more than 210,000 digital leaders and professionals from 9,422 client organizations and 8,854 graduate program graduates have benefited from NUS-ISS’ suite of services. Its programs are delivered by NUS-ISS staff with an average of over 20 years of industry experience and supported by a strong network of partners. NUS-ISS will also work with local and global industry partners and associations to co-create a digital learning ecosystem that inspires and shapes solutions for the digital economy.
Click here for more information about NUS-ISS. www.iss.nus.edu.sg
Source NUS-ISS
