Insider Brief:
- Tech Mahindra and the University of Auckland (UoA) signed an MoU to accelerate research and innovation in AI, machine learning, and quantum computing, focusing on industries like healthcare, finance, and government.
- The partnership is intended to support UoA graduates’ employability by providing an opportunity for collaboration between industry and academia through internships and hands-on training.
- Tech Mahindra and UoA will focus on technologies such as spiking neural networks, 1-bit large language models, and post-quantum cryptography, with healthcare applications including drug discovery and personalized digital biomarkers.
PRESS RELEASE — Tech Mahindra, a leading global provider of technology consulting and digital solutions, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Auckland (UoA), New Zealand’s #1 University (QS World University Ranking 2025 #65).
This MoU will accelerate research and innovation in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and quantum computing across various industries, including healthcare, banking, financial services, and insurance. This also includes cooperation with the government sector. Tech Mahindra and UoA’s collaboration will enhance the cooperation between industry and academia, with the goal of improving UoA graduates’ employability.
The collaboration will also focus on cutting-edge AI and ML technologies, such as spiking neural networks and 1-bit LLMs (Large Language Model). In addition, Tech Mahindra will be advancing quantum security through post-quantum cryptography. Additionally, the organizations will leverage AI and quantum ML in healthcare, with applications such as drug discovery and digital biomarkers for personalized therapy, enabling innovations in the healthcare sector globally.
Harshvendra Soin, President – Asia Pacific and Japan Business, Tech Mahindra, said, “AI and quantum computing represent a paradigm shift in how we approach complex problems, and their potential to revolutionize industries is immense. Our technical prowess, coupled with the University of Auckland’s expertise in AI and post-quantum security, will drive innovation that enables our customers and benefit society.”
Joint research initiatives between UoA and Tech Mahindra will further integrate academic data resources and expert research insights to develop industry use cases for global markets. The collaboration will introduce Generative AI and its benefits to Indigenous communities and offer internships at Tech Mahindra, providing potential candidates with the opportunity to learn AI, ML, and other emerging technologies.
Partha Roop, Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Associate Dean International at the UoA’s Faculty of Engineering, said, “The University is keen to establish this partnership with a leading global tech company originally from India. India has led the IT innovation globally for the past three decades, and I envisage that it will also lead the AI revolution. UoA is both agile and world-leading, especially in Wireless Power Transfer (developed in the Faculty of Engineering by Prof. John Boys and his team), robotics, and statistical machine learning, which were pioneered through the R programming language (created in the Faculty of Science at UoA). This agreement provides a stepping stone for our students to explore real-world challenges and gain hands-on training from accomplished Tech Mahindra professionals.”
This collaboration will advance Tech Mahindra’s local capabilities in New Zealand, incorporating next-gen technologies and showcasing thought leadership through research papers and enhanced participation in academic conferences.
About the University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s pre-eminent research-led public university, with more than 46,000 students and 6,000 staff. It is the country’s largest research organisation and is home to a third of the top-rated researchers in New Zealand.
It is a comprehensive university with eight faculties (Medical and Health Sciences, Engineering, Science, Education and Social Work, Business, Law, Arts, and Creative Arts and Industries) and two large-scale research institutes (Liggins Institute and the Auckland Bioengineering Institute).
The University of Auckland is ranked 65th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025, 1st in New Zealand in QS’s Graduate Employment Outcomes 2025 and 13th in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2024. Ten of the subjects the University teaches have been ranked in the top 50 subjects worldwide in the QS World University Rankings by subject in 2024, based on academic and employer reputation as well as research.
The University of Auckland’s Vision 2030 details its commitment to ecologically sustainable systems, an equitable and just society, well-being for all, and a thriving economy based on innovation. The University is dedicated to excellence, sustainability, relevance, fairness and a positive impact in all it does.
The University of Auckland is a global, national and regional leader in sustainability. It pursues sustainability through its research, teaching and learning, operating practices, partnerships and capacity-building. The University was founded in 1883 and celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2023.
About Tech Mahindra
Tech Mahindra (NSE: TECHM) offers technology consulting and digital solutions to global enterprises across industries, enabling transformative scale at unparalleled speed. With 147,000+ professionals across 90+ countries helping 1100+ clients, TechM provides a full spectrum of services including consulting, information technology, enterprise applications, business process services, engineering services, network services, customer experience & design, AI & analytics, and cloud & infrastructure services. It is the first Indian company in the world to have been awarded the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Terra Carta Seal, in recognition of actively leading the charge to create a climate and nature-positive future. Tech Mahindra is part of the Mahindra Group, founded in 1945, one of the largest and most admired multinational federation of companies.
