Byline: Thapar
In a landmark move set to transform the landscape of AI education in India, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology (TIET) has announced a strategic collaboration to establish the Thapar School of Advanced AI & Data Science (TSAAI). This innovative initiative, supported by the NVIDIA AI University program, marks a significant leap forward in preparing the next generation of AI professionals and researchers.
The memorandum of understanding, signed in a ceremony attended by key representatives from both organizations, outlines an ambitious plan for a comprehensive AI-focused curriculum. Set to launch in the 2024-2025 academic year, TSAAI will be housed on TIET’s sprawling 250-acre campus in Patiala, offering a diverse range of programs, including cutting-edge undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, specialized elective courses and targeted professional development opportunities.
Dr. Padmakumar Nair, Director of TIET, expressed enthusiasm about the school’s potential impact: “This collaboration will significantly contribute to advancing AI research and education in India. By establishing TSAAI, we’re not just creating a new academic department; we’re preparing students for the evolving technological landscape and positioning India as a hub for AI innovation.”
At the heart of TSAAI’s infrastructure will be state-of-the-art NVIDIA DGX systems equipped with H100 and A100 Tensor Core GPUs. This powerful setup is expected to deliver an impressive 227 petaflops of AI performance with nearly 8 terabytes of GPU memory, providing students and researchers with access to cutting-edge technology for AI development and deployment. The institute’s commitment to fostering practical innovation is further demonstrated by its plan to deploy 500 Jetson Nano developer kits, supporting edge computing projects and encouraging startup development.
Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director of Asia South at NVIDIA, highlighted the broader implications of the partnership: “By integrating NVIDIA technologies, Thapar Institute will play a crucial role in developing AI expertise across India. This collaboration goes beyond equipping students with technical skills; it’s about fostering an ecosystem of innovation that can drive India’s position in the global AI landscape.”
The curriculum, set to debut in the upcoming academic year, offers a comprehensive range of AI-focused programs. These include a new undergraduate engineering program in AI (B.E. in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning), AI elective courses across all programs, a Master’s Program in AI, ML, and Data Science targeting working professionals, and professional development courses for industry professionals seeking AI training.
In a forward-thinking move, TIET aims to ensure all graduating students, regardless of their primary field of study, achieve a baseline of AI literacy within the next two to four years. This will be accomplished through curriculum adjustments and additional requirements, including a mandatory nine credits of AI training for all TIET students, reflecting the institute’s commitment to preparing its graduates for the AI-driven future.
Beyond academics, TSAAI plans to lead several interdisciplinary research projects, including the Thapar Digital Twin project and initiatives in food security, urban planning, healthcare, cybersecurity, and robotics. These are designed to demonstrate the practical applications of AI across sectors and encourage innovative problem-solving among students and faculty.
The collaboration also emphasizes faculty development. Selected faculty members will be given the opportunity to participate in the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute (DLI) Ambassador Program, allowing them to enhance their expertise and ability to deliver advanced AI education. This investment in educator training ensures that students will benefit from up-to-date knowledge and teaching methodologies in the rapidly evolving field of AI.
In a move to bridge the gap between academic research and industry application, NVIDIA also plans to extend the benefits of its Inception program to qualifying TIET-incubated AI startups. This support could provide valuable resources and mentorship to budding entrepreneurs in the AI space, further strengthening the link between academic innovation and real-world implementation.
The establishment of TSAAI comes at a crucial time when India is pushing to establish itself as a global leader in AI and technology. By creating a dedicated institution for AI education and research, TIET and NVIDIA are contributing to the country’s broader goals of digital transformation and technological self-reliance. This partnership represents a significant step in aligning educational offerings with emerging technological trends and industry needs, potentially playing a crucial role in bridging the skills gap and fostering innovation in India’s burgeoning tech ecosystem.
As students prepare to enter TSAAI in 2024, the tech industry as well as the education sector will watch closely to see how this innovative model of industry-academia collaboration shapes the future of Indian AI education. The success of this initiative could potentially set a new standard for AI education and research, not just in India but potentially serving as a model for similar collaborations worldwide.
With its comprehensive approach to AI education, cutting-edge infrastructure, and focus on practical application and research, TSAAI is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI innovation and education in India and beyond. As the world increasingly relies on AI technologies, initiatives like this will be crucial in ensuring that India remains at the forefront of this technological revolution.
For more information, please visit https://www.thapar.edu/
Published by: Khy Talara
