Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthy, a professor emeritus in electrical engineering at IIT Madras and former director of the institute, spoke about the transformative power of artificial intelligence in education. He delivered his remarks as the chief guest at the 20th convocation ceremony of Dhirubhai Ambani University in Gandhinagar.
AI Revolutionizes Learning Methods
Prof Ramamurthy stated that learning has always been considered a lifelong process, but this idea holds more truth today than ever before. He explained that AI is fundamentally changing how people acquire knowledge and skills.
"For fields like technology and engineering, you previously relied on individuals and organizations with deep embedded knowledge," said Prof Ramamurthy. "You sought their guidance to learn effectively. Even in professional settings, you depended on mentors and supervisors for direction. However, AI has dramatically altered this landscape."
Shift Toward Broad-Based Education
The professor emphasized that learning has become much more direct and need-based in the AI era. He predicted that institutional education will adopt a broad-based approach, focusing on building strong foundational knowledge.
"Institutional learning will teach you how to learn effectively in this new environment," he added. This shift aims to prepare students for continuous adaptation in a rapidly evolving technological world.
Convocation Celebrates Student Achievements
The convocation ceremony marked a significant milestone for Dhirubhai Ambani University. A total of 649 students received their degrees during the event. The breakdown included 6 PhD recipients, 295 postgraduate students, and 348 undergraduate graduates.
In recognition of the university's 25-year journey, officials announced the establishment of the Distinguished Alumni Award. The inaugural honor went to Pavitar Singh, a graduate from the 2005 batch.
Pre-Convocation Honors
Before the main ceremony, the university presented merit awards to outstanding students and faculty members. These recognitions highlighted academic excellence and contributions to the institution's educational mission.
The event underscored the importance of adapting educational practices to keep pace with technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence.
