Salesforce and Sister Nivedita University launch CRM and AI skills lab in Eastern India

Salesforce has partnered with Sister Nivedita University (SNU) in Kolkata to establish a dedicated Salesforce Lab aimed at bridging the digital skills gap in Eastern India. This collaboration marks a first-of-its-kind academia-industry initiative in the region, designed to deliver CRM and AI skills training to students across multiple disciplines, including engineering, management, media, and agriculture.

The program, part of Salesforce’s broader mission to build a digitally empowered workforce, is expected to benefit around 1,000 students annually. Through a customised curriculum that integrates Salesforce CRM platforms such as Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud, and Agentforce, students will receive exposure to real-world tools and technologies essential for the evolving digital economy.

The partnership includes a structured academic framework comprising dedicated coursework, hands-on lab sessions, and learning pathways powered by Salesforce Trailhead. The initiative also emphasizes faculty development through a Train-the-Trainer model, ensuring that instructors are equipped to mentor students effectively in CRM and AI technologies.

Salesforce is driving this collaboration in association with its Workforce Development Partner, Bong Bong Academy, which will assist in licensing, curriculum co-development, and faculty upskilling. The program also offers students opportunities to earn Salesforce certifications and engage in mentorship programs. Qualified candidates will have their profiles shared with Salesforce’s partner companies, creating direct pathways to employment.

Beyond CRM and AI training, Sister Nivedita University is exploring additional Salesforce solutions such as Tableau to advance its broader digital transformation agenda across the campus. This positions SNU as a future-forward institution, keen on integrating digital competencies into academic frameworks to align with national education goals.

The initiative also complements India’s National Education Policy (NEP), which emphasizes skills-based learning and industry collaboration. As India’s digital economy expands, demand for professionals skilled in CRM platforms and AI technologies continues to grow, particularly in sectors such as technology, sales, marketing, and data analytics.

By embedding CRM and AI skills within formal education, the collaboration between Salesforce and SNU aims to produce a new generation of digitally fluent graduates ready to contribute to the economy. The program’s integration of live industry projects and on-campus internship labs further ensures that students gain practical, industry-relevant experience alongside academic credentials.