Cisco, the worldwide leader in networking and security, has announced Mumbai as the first international community under its global 40 Communities initiative. This milestone underscores Cisco’s confidence in India’s digital future and its commitment to bridging the digital divide, strengthening cybersecurity, and equipping tomorrow’s workforce with future‑ready skills.
As part of the initiative, Cisco unveiled a series of programs for Mumbai and Maharashtra:
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Cisco Centre of Excellence for AI, Networking, and Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), located in Kandivali (East), will skill and train 100,000 students over three years, offering hybrid classrooms, innovation zones, and entrepreneurship programs.
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Expanded collaboration with NIIT Foundation to skill 2.7 million individuals across India by 2028, including 100,000 in Maharashtra, in AI and cybersecurity.
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EDGE Center in Pune with Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Engineering & Innovation to empower students, faculty, start‑ups, and MSMEs with Cisco technologies, training, and advisory services.
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Partnership with Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University to expand Cisco Networking Academy programs across 125+ skill centres, offering 30+ industry‑relevant courses in cybersecurity, AI, networking, and data analytics.
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Startup accelerator with Villgro Innovation Foundation to support tech‑enabled solutions for urban sustainability challenges in water and waste management.
Commenting on the initiative, Badal Yagnik, CEO & MD, Colliers India, said: “Our ambition for Cisco India is bold. We are investing in people, platforms, and capabilities to set new benchmarks for excellence, delivering innovative solutions and creating long‑term value for all stakeholders.”
Supporting the announcement, Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, and Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, highlighted the importance of digital skills in driving India’s growth and praised Cisco’s role in empowering youth and fostering innovation.
With a 30‑year presence in India, Cisco has already positively impacted over 50 million individuals through social impact programs since 2015. These new initiatives reaffirm its commitment to driving inclusive growth, digital empowerment, and sustainable innovation in India.
