Tech Mahindra, UoA expand partnership to boost industry-academia innovation

IT services company Tech Mahindra announced an expanded collaboration with the New Zealand-based University of Auckland (UoA) to boost industry and academia innovation. It extends the initial agreement signed in 2024. 

The internship program, which will commence in the second half of 2025, will offer students from New Zealand universities hands-on experience with emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and quantum computing, thus enhancing their employability and fostering technological innovation. It is part of the University of Auckland's ongoing efforts at the New Zealand Centre in IIT Delhi and includes participation from all eight universities in New Zealand. 

“By fortifying technology ecosystems in both New Zealand and India, we are establishing a solid foundation for sustained innovation, economic progress, and collaboration. This effort has the potential to transform industries worldwide. Our continued collaboration with UoA is a significant step in this direction,” said Harshvendra Soin, President — Asia Pacific and Japan Business, Tech Mahindra.

The collaboration aims to accelerate research and innovation across various industries, including banking, healthcare, financial services, insurance, and government. It will focus on emerging technologies in AI and ML, such as spiking neural networks and 1-bit large language models (LLMs), while also enhancing quantum security through post-quantum cryptography. These innovations will have significant applications in healthcare, particularly in drug discovery and the development of personalized digital biomarkers.

The company reported a 40.9% fall in net profit to ₹661 crore year-on-year (YoY) for the fourth quarter of FY25 that ended March 31, compared to the corresponding period last year. This was driven by a continued slowdown in key verticals including telecom, communications, media and entertainment.

Tech Mahindra won deals worth $500 million during the quarter. The company plans to grow selectively in certain markets with a focus on the US and Europe. Together, both the US and Europe contributed to three-quarters of the company's topline during the quarter.