In a landmark move for technical education in India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) in Lucknow is poised to become the first artificial intelligence (AI) university in Uttar Pradesh. The university has embarked on a comprehensive transformation, revising its entire academic framework to place AI at the core of all its engineering and professional courses.
A Curriculum Reimagined for the AI Era
The cornerstone of this transformation is a complete overhaul of the curriculum. AKTU Vice Chancellor Prof JP Pandey announced that the university is developing an 'AI engineering curriculum.' This new structure mandates that every engineering branch will include a dedicated unit focused solely on AI learning and its practical applications within that specific field. The goal is to ensure that every graduate, irrespective of their core discipline, possesses foundational AI knowledge. Prof Pandey stated that the university aims to achieve its status as the nation's first AI university within the next four months.
Massive Investment and World-Class Infrastructure
This ambitious vision is backed by substantial financial investment. AKTU is investing Rs 150 crore from its own resources into this project. Furthermore, the Uttar Pradesh government's technical education department is expected to contribute approximately Rs 350 crore, bringing the total projected investment to around Rs 500 crore.
The funds will bolster the university's already impressive infrastructure. AKTU boasts a state-of-the-art 5 petaflop AI laboratory, currently the only one of its kind in the state. Plans are underway to establish an even larger AI lab on the main campus. This facility will provide critical access to high-performance computing (HPC) and robust GPU supply chains, which are essential for advanced AI model training, research, and complex simulations.
Access, Support, and Ambitious Targets
To democratize access to this cutting-edge technology, all of AKTU's affiliated colleges will be connected to the central AI laboratory through a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This will allow students and faculty across the state to utilize these resources remotely.
The university's role will extend beyond its own student body. AKTU will provide technological and laboratory support to premier institutions like Harcourt Butler Technical University. It will also offer AI support to startups, research scholars, and teachers, fostering a wider ecosystem of innovation. An ambitious target has been set to certify one lakh students through its AI-focused programs.
According to AKTU Dean (Academics) Anuj Kumar Sharma of the Centre of Advanced Studies, this strategic shift will enable India to compete with global universities that have already embraced AI. The integration of AI will also revolutionize the learning experience through personalized study plans, AI tutors for 24x7 assistance, instant feedback mechanisms, and the automation of administrative tasks. This will free educators to engage more deeply with students, heralding a new chapter for technical education in Uttar Pradesh and India.
