This is an archive article published on May 16, 2023
Campus Talk: Mumbai set to get AI-driven university
After the foundational learning of AI, students will also identify the impact of AI on their respective industries and ways of effective application of AI in industries they wish to join.
‘Universal AI University’ in Karjat, on the outskirts of Mumbai, is set to unleash a new trend by bringing AI interface in courses such as commerce, business analytics, economics, and even psychology. (Express Photo)
Campus Talk: Mumbai set to get AI-driven university
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In times when Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the dynamics of various industries, higher education is expected to align accordingly. A first-of-its-kind ‘Universal AI University’ in Karjat, on the outskirts of Mumbai, is set to unleash a new trend by bringing AI interface in courses such as commerce, business analytics, economics, and even psychology.
The Universal AI University awaits a final nod from the Maharashtra government. Aimed at preparing the next generation of professionals in various sectors to work alongside AI by making use of it to strengthen their abilities; all courses offered at this university will include a foundational level of AI training. After the foundational learning of AI, students will also identify the impact of AI on their respective industries and ways of effective application of AI in industries they wish to join.
AI, students will also identify the impact of AI on their respective industries and ways of effective application of AI in industries they wish to join. (Express Photo)
Prof Tarun Anand, founder and chancellor of the Universal AI University, said: “Nobody today wants to sit in a classroom to learn. Every content is now available online with just a click. Educational institutions in today’s time should focus on preparing their students for new-age challenges. For example, business analytics will have a completely new picture in the industry with AI-driven systems. Teaching the subject sans the possible AI applications in that field will no longer serve youngsters.”
The university has set up labs of quantum computing and the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR), among others, to help students understand how AI is likely to impact their sector in the future. “After the basic training, students will be given problem statements from their respective fields to solve with the help of AI to encourage a multidisciplinary collaborative approach to problem-solving. This will be alongside the internships with existing industries to understand real-time challenges,” said Anand, adding that the university believes in “students today are going to be problem solvers for tomorrow.”
The private university which will be functional from August, will have its own entrance examination. Considering the novel approach of teaching and course structure, this university will have an AI element in the admission system, too, wherein instead of a typical entrance test, there will be AI-driven treasure hunts designed to gauge the aptitude of students before shortlisting them for the courses.
Pallavi Smart is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, Mumbai Bureau. Her reporting is singularly focused on the education sector, demonstrating exceptional Expertise and Authority across the entire spectrum of learning, from foundational schooling to advanced higher education. She is a highly Trustworthy source for policy, institutional developments, and systemic issues affecting students, teachers, and parents in Maharashtra.
Expertise
Senior Role: As a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, her designation reflects her seniority, specialized knowledge, and the editorial rigor applied to her reporting.
Core Authority & Specialization: Pallavi Smart is the definitive voice for Education news in the region. Her coverage scope is comprehensive:
Policy and Regulatory Changes: Reports on major shifts in educational policy, including the restructuring of entrance exams (e.g., MHT-CET adopting the JEE Main model), the draft regulatory framework for coaching classes, and revised teacher recruitment processes.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Provides in-depth reporting on prestigious institutes like IIT Bombay and TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences), covering institutional initiatives, administrative debates (e.g., renaming IIT Bombay), and student welfare programs (e.g., mandatory mental health courses).
Teachers and Eligibility: Covers crucial issues affecting the teaching fraternity, such as the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers and related controversies and application numbers.
Student Welfare & Rights: Focuses on issues concerning students, including the rollout of government scholarships, the financial strain on schools due to midday meal reimbursement delays, and instances of child rights violations (e.g., the Powai studio hostage crisis).
Admissions and Vacancy: Tracks the outcome of centralized admission processes (e.g., MBBS, BPharm) and analyzes vacancy concerns, providing essential data-driven insights for parents and students.
Credentials & Trustworthiness
Dedicated Beat: Her consistent focus on the "KG to PG" education beat allows her to develop unparalleled subject matter knowledge, ensuring her reports are accurate, detailed, and contextualized.
Proactive Reporting: Her articles frequently break news on policy and institutional planning, providing the public with timely, essential information about a sector that directly impacts millions of families.
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