Engineering students in India need to prepare for the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI), according to Professor T.G. Sitharam, chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Speaking at the VIT University Day celebrations, Professor Sitharam highlighted the growing use of AI across various industries.
He emphasized the urgency for engineering students to develop the skills necessary to thrive alongside this rapidly advancing technology. “The speed and efficiency of AI should motivate students to acquire the relevant skillsets during their college years itself,” he said, underlining the importance of being prepared for this “emerging competition.”
Professor Sitharam’s address comes amidst discussions about the future of engineering education in India. In his presidential address, VIT founder and chancellor G. Viswanathan called for increased government funding for the education sector, particularly for research and development efforts. He pointed out the significant disparity in stipends offered to research scholars at private universities compared to their government counterparts.
Mr. Viswanathan also urged the government to reduce levies on private educational institutions and simplify the process of obtaining licenses. These measures, he believes, would contribute to increased enrolment in higher education programs.
The VIT University Day event underscores the critical role of preparing engineering students for the evolving technological landscape, particularly the significant impact of AI.
