Cisco today announced Mumbai as the first international location under its 40 Communities initiative. As a part of the programme, Cisco will collaborate with leaders from academia, non-profit organizations, and other companies to develop programs, aligning to the Government of India’s and State of Maharashtra’s priorities.

Cisco, in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), is launching a Cisco Centre of Excellence for AI, Networking, and Entrepreneurship at the Multi Skill Training Institute (MSTI) and Model Career Centre (MCC) in Kandivali (East), Mumbai. Over three years, the initiative aims to skill and train 100,000 students.

The physical center will include a hybrid classroom, an innovation hub, a design thinking space and a makerspace to provide advanced skills in AI and networking. Building on the success of the Cyber Suraksha program launched in 2022, Cisco is expanding its long-term collaboration with NIIT Foundation, focused on AI awareness and cybersecurity training. This new multi-year partnership aims to skill 2.7 million people across India by 2028, including 100,000 individuals across Maharashtra.

In the same breath, Cisco is partnering with Dr. DY Patil College of Engineering & Innovation to establish a new Experience, Design, Go-to-Market, EDGECenter in Pune to help students, faculty, start-ups, and MSMEs with access to Cisco’s communication and collaboration technologies.

Cisco will collaborate with Government of Maharashtra and the Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University. Through this partnership, Cisco Networking Academy’s digital skills programs will be offered atidentified 125+ identified skills centre in various academic institutions across the state and also provide access to Networking Academy’s learning platform, offering 30+ industry-relevant courses in Cybersecurity, AI, Networking, and Data Analytics.

According to the company, the global effort aims to engage, support, and invest in 40 communities worldwide to help bridge the digital and data divide, strengthen infrastructure and cybersecurity, and equip workforce with future-ready skills. 

Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, said “I am delighted to know that Cisco–CII is collaborating to set up a Centre for AI & Networking at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Kaushalya Vikas Kendra in Kandivali (North Mumbai). This state-of-the-art centre will equip students, women and youth with practical skills in AI, networking, security, and offer hands-on learning through a makerspace for industry relevant experience.” 

Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said, "Maharashtra has a vision to become a $1 trillion economy by 2028. To reach this goal, we need people with strong digital skills. I am happy to know that Cisco has chosen Mumbai as its first internationallocation under their Global 40 Communities program, complimentingthe city’s capability as a major hub for innovation and technology. In the next three years, it will train 1,00,000 people with skills needed for today's digital jobs."

Brian Tippens, Senior Vice President and Chief Social Impact & Inclusion Officer, Cisco, said, “India’s digital transformation is unfolding at an extraordinary pace. At Cisco, we believe that technology, when combined with purpose and partnership, becomes a catalyst for progress. Through these programs in Mumbai and across India, we are empowering talent, enabling innovation, and accelerating global problem solving to positively impact people, society, and the planet — shaping a more inclusive and resilient future.”