10% engineering institutes opt for AI, data science since 2019-20: AICTE
AICTE reveals nearly 127 diploma institutes and 663 undergraduate colleges opted for courses such as artificial intelligence, data science and analytics, blockchain, machine learning and robotics since 2019-20.
As per a report published in Hindustan Times, in order to attract more students to the engineering field, the technical education regulator had requested all affiliated engineering colleges to introduce these courses in early 2019. The report says 222 institutes opted for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, 186 institutes for AI and data science, 52, 45 and 29 institutes for computer science and design course, and data science and AI courses, respectively. This covers less than 10 per cent of the total number of engineering institutes in India, officials feel it’s a positive move in the right direction.
“In 2020-21, electronics and communication sector managed to swoop the best of the minds and many also opted for BTech in AI and data science fields. Since jobs in the electronics as well as AI sectors are gaining more popularity, students too are very clear about their ambition and aiming for seats in specific departments,” said Gopakumaran Thampi, principal of Thadomal Shahani Engineering College, Bandra.
Since 2020, AICTE also implemented a two-year blanket ban on new engineering institutes across India and had requested colleges to apply for new-age courses.
In some cases, engineering institutes have also chosen not to apply for the new courses due to a lack of support from the state government for the same. “We didn’t apply for any new courses because to date, the state government has not approved faculty for the electronics and communication course that we had started in 2009. This particular course has attracted the brightest of minds over the years and is in popular demand amongst recruiters as well, which is why the institute is funding the course without any government support,” said Dhiren Patel, director, Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), Matunga.
Read more:
Follow Shiksha.com for latest education news in detail on Exam Results, Dates, Admit Cards, & Schedules, Colleges & Universities news related to Admissions & Courses, Board exams, Scholarships, Careers, Education Events, New education policies & Regulations.
To get in touch with Shiksha news team, please write to us at news@shiksha.com