Kochi, Oct 14: In a strategic move, IBM India is positioning its Kochi software lab as a pivotal center for advancing the development and delivery of the next generation software portfolio and cloud offerings. The decision was disclosed by IBM India Senior Vice President (Products), Dinesh Nirmal, after a high-level meeting with Kerala Industries Minister P. Rajeeve.
The meeting also resulted in an agreement to facilitate internships at IBM for students from Kerala Technological University and Cochin University of Science and Technology. The internship program aims to provide students with valuable work experience while allowing them to continue their regular classes online.
IBM’s initiative to enhance the capabilities of its Software Lab in Kochi follows the establishment of the lab in suburban Kakkanad just a year ago. The Kochi lab, situated at Infopark, is IBM’s fifth software lab in the country, with others located in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Pune.
Minister Rajeeve, during a media conference with Nirmal and the Department of Industries and Commerce Principal Secretary Suman Billa, highlighted that the internship program would offer students international-standard work experience without disrupting their academic schedules. He expressed optimism that this move by IBM would contribute to a reverse brain-drain for Kerala, attracting top professionals back to their home state.
Nirmal mentioned that IBM India annually recruits close to 300 professionals in Kerala, and the six-month internship program is expected to benefit an additional 300 individuals. He emphasized that the efforts to expand the Kochi Software Lab align with the government’s vision of making Kerala a digital knowledge economy.
The Kochi Software Lab, launched in September 2022, has already made over 1,500 recruitments within a year. IBM is now planning to establish a larger office in the city, further solidifying its commitment to the region.
