CII and NUS-ISS Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance AI Governance and Digital Leadership in India

 The collaboration aims to strengthen digital leadership and responsible AI capabilities among Indian enterprises.

NEW DELHI and SINGAPORE, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Confederation of Indian Industry and NUS-ISS of the National University of Singapore (NUS) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly advance digital leadership and governance capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) among Indian enterprises through an exclusive executive certification programme. The MOU was exchanged at the CII Annual Business Summit in the presence of Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N Chandra Babu Naidu; HE Mr Simon Wong, High Commissioner of Singapore to India; Mr Rajiv Memani, President, CII and Dr Suchitra Ella, Vice-President, CII.

 

The partnership aims to strengthen India's digital transformation ecosystem by equipping enterprises 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 deliver the "Leadership Programme on Artificial Intelligence and Governance", an exclusive capacity-building certification programme designed for board members, CXOs (Chief Executive Officers), industry leaders, and senior decision-makers navigating the evolving global technology landscape.

The programme builds on the success of three pilot editions conducted at NUS-ISS in Singapore in November 2024, May 2025, and November 2025. Under the new agreement, both organisations will formalise and expand the initiative with half-yearly programme runs planned for 2026, 2027, and 2028. To date more than 65 Indian industry executives have been trained under this initiative. 

Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director-General, CII, said:

"India's growth journey will increasingly be shaped by how effectively industry leaders embrace digital transformation and AI-led innovation. CII's collaboration with NUS-ISS is an important step towards building leadership capacity in emerging technologies and governance frameworks. More than 65 Indian industry executives have been trained through this initiative. Our aim is to train more than 100 industry executives by the end of 2026. This initiative also complements the 'Digitalisation' and 'Skilling' pillars under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Singapore." 

Mr Khoong Chan Meng, CEO, NUS-ISS, added: "This partnership with CII reflects our shared commitment to building future-ready leadership capabilities for the industry. As AI rapidly reshapes businesses and economies, leaders must understand both the opportunities and governance implications of AI adoption. Through the Leadership Programme on Artificial Intelligence and Governance, NUS-ISS looks forward to supporting Indian enterprises in developing strategic digital leadership competencies and fostering responsible innovation."

The Global Leadership Centre of CII, based in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, will anchor joint programmes on leadership and digitalisation with NUS-ISS under the MoU.

The partnership will also explore broader areas of collaboration in digital upskilling, including executive education programmes, specialised training for industry professionals, and enhanced knowledge exchange initiatives between India and Singapore.

About Confederation of Indian Industry

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organisation, representing over 9,700 direct members from the private and public sectors, including SMEs and multinational corporations, and an indirect membership of over 365,000 enterprises through sectoral industry bodies.

About National University of Singapore (NUS)

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore's flagship university, which offers a global approach to education, research and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. We have 15 colleges, faculties and schools across three campuses in Singapore, with more than 40,000 students from 100 countries enriching our vibrant and diverse campus community. We have also established more than 20 NUS Overseas Colleges entrepreneurial hubs around the world.

Our multidisciplinary and real-world approach to education, research and entrepreneurship enables us to work closely with industry, governments and academia to address crucial and complex issues relevant to Asia and the world. Researchers in our faculties, research centres of excellence, corporate labs and more than 30 university-level research institutes focus on themes that include energy; environmental and urban sustainability; treatment and prevention of diseases; active ageing; advanced materials; risk management and resilience of financial systems; Asian studies; and Smart Nation capabilities such as artificial intelligence, data science, operations research and cybersecurity.

For more information on NUS, please visit nus.edu.sg.

About NUS-ISS

Established in 1981, NUS-ISS nurtures digital talent for the industry through graduate education, executive education programmes, consultancy, applied research, and career services. NUS-ISS guides individuals and organisations to bridge future opportunities through a unique portfolio of multiple learning pathways such as blended learning and stackable programmes, leading the way in shaping the next curve of digital excellence. It offers a wide spectrum of programmes in critical industry disciplines, such as digital leadership, software development, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, product management, smart health and digital innovation.

To date, over 210,000 digital leaders and professionals from across 9,422 corporate client organisations, and 8,854 graduate programmes alumni have benefitted from NUS-ISS' suite of services. Its programmes are delivered by NUS-ISS staff with an average of more than 20 years of industry experience and supported by a strong network of partners. NUS-ISS also works with industry partners and associations locally and globally to co-create a digital learning ecosystem that inspires and shapes solutions for the digital economy.

For more information on NUS-ISS, please visit www.iss.nus.edu.sg

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CII and NUS-ISS Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance AI Governance and Digital Leadership in India

CII and NUS-ISS Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance AI Governance and Digital Leadership in India

SHENZHEN, China, May 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 18th China International Battery Fair (CIBF2026) officially commenced on May 13 at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center, marking the largest edition in the event's history. Coinciding with the first year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, this year's fair spans 280,000 square meters across 14 exhibition halls, reuniting over 3,200 global exhibitors. Widely recognized as the world's premier battery industry showcase, CIBF2026, hosted by China Industrial Association of Power Sources (CIAPS), has attracted more than 350,000 professional attendees from around the globe, further solidifying its role as a pivotal platform for industrial innovation and international cooperation.

During the opening ceremony, senior government officials, industry executives, academics, and researchers gathered to mark the start of CIBF2026. As a leading platform for industry exchange and cooperation, CIBF remains focused on fostering technological innovation, strengthening collaboration across the entire industrial chain, and supporting the continued development of the global battery and energy storage sector.

Turning Cutting-Edge Innovation Into Real-World Applications, Powering the Next Generation of Energy

As a global launch platform for emerging technologies, CIBF2026 presented a comprehensive showcase of next-generation battery innovations and commercial applications. From conventional lithium batteries to solid-state, sodium-ion, and flow batteries, the exhibition covered the full industry spectrum, including cell manufacturing, intelligent equipment, and recycling.

Leading global battery manufacturers including CATL, BYD, EVE Energy, and Sunwoda unveiled their latest battery technologies and solutions at the event. Across the broader supply chain, companies including Guangdong Lyric Robot Automation Co., Ltd., Yudian Automation, Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co., Ltd., Yantai Leawat Power Technology Co., Ltd., and Gaoneng Digital Manufacturing showcased innovations in smart manufacturing, battery materials, and energy storage technologies.

A dedicated "Disruptive Technology Experience Zone" gave attendees a close-up view of advances ranging from solid-state battery electrolyte research to innovations in dry-electrode equipment, illustrating how the industry's competitive focus is shifting from cost competition toward technology-driven differentiation.

In addition, this year's exhibition introduced an integrated showcase spanning electric vehicles, energy storage operations, smart home systems, and outdoor equipment applications. By connecting battery technologies with real-world use cases, the event created new opportunities for cross-sector cooperation and broader commercial adoption.

Premier Industry Gathering Shapes Direction and Convenes Leading Expertise

Alongside the exhibition, CIBF2026 also hosted a series of high-level forums and technical exchange sessions, bringing together more than 2,000 industry experts, researchers, and corporate representatives from China and around the world.

Among the key events, the CIBF2026 Conference on the Frontier Technology of Advanced Batteries featured an opening ceremony alongside multiple parallel sessions held throughout the event. The sessions included Advanced Sodium-ion Battery Technologies, Battery Safety and Evaluation, Solid-state Battery and Next-generation Battery Technologies, High-Power Battery and High-Power Fast Charging Technologies, Sodium-ion Batteries, Key Materials, Carbon Footprint and Aftermarket, AI for Battery, Smart Equipment and Manufacturing, as well as the Young Scholars Forum.

A parallel session, the Conference on Next-generation Battery Technologies and Advanced Manufacturing for Electric Aviation, focused on core aviation battery technologies, including high-rate discharge performance, lightweight packaging, and thermal runaway mitigation. Another session, the 6th Conference on New Energy Storage Technology and Engineering Application, examined key breakthroughs in energy storage batteries related to lifespan, safety, and cost efficiency, reflecting the sector's increasingly central role in future power systems.

CIBF2026 will run through May 15. More than a global barometer for the battery industry, the event also serves as a reflection of the expanding international role of China's battery and energy storage sector.

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CIBF2026 Opens in Shenzhen, Showcasing Next-Generation Battery Technologies Across the Global Energy Storage Value Chain