The Inauguration of the Cisco Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Kalpataru Institute of Technology (KIT), Tiptur, on April 29, 2026, marked a significant milestone in the institute's journey toward academic and technological advancement. This event symbolized the beginning of a strategic collaboration between KIT and Cisco, aimed at enhancing students' technical expertise and industry readiness, particularly in the domains of computer science and networking. The occasion was graced by distinguished dignitaries from both academia and industry.

Event Highlights

The programme commenced at 10:00 AM with a warm welcome extended to faculty members, students, and industry representatives. The event was thoughtfully organized, featuring a series of engaging and meaningful activities that created an atmosphere of celebration and insight.

Chief Guests and Dignitaries

The inauguration was led by two eminent guests:

• Ishvinder Singh, Head – India SAARC, Cisco
• Priyanka Bhagat, Head, APJC Emerging Talent and University Recruiting, Cisco

Both speakers shared valuable perspectives on the evolving role of technology in education and emphasized how the CoE would equip students with advanced, industry-relevant skills.

Key Highlights of the Programme

Invocation & Welcome Speech

The event began with a formal invocation seeking blessings for the success of the new centre. This was followed by a welcome address delivered by the Principal of KIT, who expressed sincere gratitude to Cisco for its contribution toward strengthening the institute's learning infrastructure.

Lighting of the Lamp

In keeping with tradition, the chief guests, along with the principal and other dignitaries, participated in the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. This symbolic act marked the auspicious beginning of a new phase of learning and growth for KIT.

Address by the Chief Guests

Ishvinder Singh spoke about Cisco's commitment to transforming education through collaborations with academic institutions, highlighting the importance of hands-on and industry-aligned learning. Priyanka Bhagat emphasized the mutual benefits of the partnership and elaborated on how the CoE would provide students access to cutting-edge technologies and real-world problem-solving opportunities.

Signing and Exchange of MoU

A key moment of the event was the formal signing and exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KIT and Cisco. This agreement solidifies their partnership and establishes the CoE as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and skill development in areas such as networking and cloud computing.

Launch of Tilantra – Computer Science Association

The event also witnessed the launch of Tilantra Computer Science Association. This initiative aims to provide students with a dynamic platform to participate in technical activities, workshops, and events, thereby enhancing their knowledge and skills.

Release of the Newsletter

A special newsletter commemorating the launch of the Cisco Centre of Excellence was unveiled. It outlined the objectives of the CoE and highlighted upcoming opportunities and initiatives for students.

Presidential Remarks

The President of KIT addressed the gathering, expressing enthusiasm about the transformative impact of the CoE and its role in bridging the gap between academic learning and industry expectations.

Vote of Thanks

The programme concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by the event coordinator. Gratitude was extended to all dignitaries, faculty members, students, and especially to Cisco for their invaluable support in establishing the Centre of Excellence at KIT.