AI makes education personalized and tailored to individual needs: GITAM President

In an era where the landscape of education is rapidly evolving, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) Deemed to be University, Bangalore is making significant strides in shaping the future of its students and faculty. With a strong emphasis on research, practical skills, and strategic location advantages, the university is positioning itself as a leader in higher education. In this interview, we speak with the President of GITAM Bangalore, Sribharat Mathukumilli, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP) about the recent developments at their Bangalore campus, the challenges and opportunities that come with growth, and the institution’s approach to scholarships, technology integration, and international collaborations.

Q: Could you tell us about the strategic advantages of GITAM University’s location, particularly in Bangalore?

GITAM President: I think the city is moving towards this side, and we’ve got a prime location with a new six-lane road that’s just been built. Our campus is now back on the highway, and being close to the airport is a significant advantage. We can fly people in from all over the country without worrying about the heavy traffic that Bangalore is notorious for. Visitors can reach our campus in about half an hour or less from the airport, which makes it convenient for us to host visiting faculty and other professionals. In contrast, schools located further into the city can be an hour and a half or even two hours away from the airport, making them less accessible.

Q: How does this accessibility impact your academic programs, especially in terms of faculty and student engagement?

GITAM President: It certainly does. Given that we are primarily focused on engineering, science, and management programs, this accessibility allows us to bring in a lot of visiting faculty who can contribute to these disciplines without the burden of long commutes. For our students, 80% of whom live on campus, it means they can engage more deeply with the faculty and their studies. Another 10% stay in nearby PGs and hostels. We’re attracting a significant number of students from rural Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh because people living in the center of Bangalore often don’t want to commute such long distances. This residential culture gives us a unique opportunity to really shape our students' personalities and academic experiences, as they are more immersed in the campus environment.

Q: You mentioned that GITAM attracts a significant number of students from rural areas. Could you share more about the scholarship programs you offer to support these students?

GITAM President: We take great pride in our scholarship programs, which we formally launched in 2019. Since then, about 25% of our students have received some form of merit-based scholarship, ranging from 15% to 100% of their tuition fees. This year alone, we’ve allocated over 90 crores to our scholarship budget. In addition to merit-based scholarships, we also offer need-based scholarships to students from lower-income families.

We’re also developing two specialized scholarship programs. The first is the Rural Pathways Scholarship, where we identify high-quality schools in tier-three and tier-four towns and villages and offer blanket scholarships to students from those schools. The second is a partnership with high-end schools in tier-two cities and towns, where we provide similar blanket scholarships to students who meet our criteria.

Q: How do you see this (scholarships) influencing the diversity and culture on your campuses?

GITAM President: Our scholarship programs are designed to bring in a diverse student body, which we believe is crucial for creating a vibrant campus culture. Currently, about 90% of our students come from state board education, and 10% from national and international boards. Our goal is to achieve a 50-50 balance between these groups. By attracting students from different educational backgrounds, we’re not only increasing diversity in thought and culture but also enriching the learning environment. This diversity is essential for preparing our students to thrive in a globalized world.

Q: Technology is reshaping education across the globe. How is GITAM University integrating technology, particularly AI, into its programs and operations?

GITAM President: AI is transforming every industry, and education is no exception. At GITAM, we’re deeply invested in integrating AI into both our curriculum and operations. We’re incorporating AI into many of our engineering courses, ensuring that our students are equipped with the skills they need to succeed in the future. But it’s not just about teaching AI; it’s about leveraging AI to enhance the way we operate. For example, some organizations already have a Chief AI Officer, and I’m very much aligned with that idea. We’re exploring how AI can be used to streamline administrative processes, provide AI-driven tutoring, and improve the overall student experience. AI is growing so rapidly that if we don’t adapt, we risk falling behind. We want our students to not only understand AI but also to use it effectively in their careers.

Q: It’s fascinating to hear how AI is being integrated into your operations. How do you think AI will change the way students learn in the coming years?

GITAM President: As AI continues to advance, the traditional methods of learning will undergo significant changes. One of the key shifts we anticipate is that the need for students to memorize information will diminish. Instead, the focus will shift to developing the ability to ask the right questions, as AI will be able to provide answers and insights more efficiently than ever before. We’re preparing our students for this future by encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity—skills that will be essential in an AI-driven world. Additionally, as AI becomes more integrated into education, it will personalize learning experiences, making education more accessible and tailored to individual needs.

Q: It sounds like the residential culture at GITAM plays a crucial role in student development. Can you elaborate on how you’re leveraging this environment to enhance student growth?

GITAM President: Absolutely. With so many of our students living on campus, we can focus on holistic development. It’s not just about academics; it’s also about building character, leadership skills, and a sense of community. We’ve been fortunate that our campus is adjacent to a thousand-acre industrial park being developed by the Karnataka government.

This proximity offers incredible opportunities for our students to engage with real-world projects and industries right at their doorstep. We’ve even secured a 100-acre land allotment in that park, where we’re planning to build a skill center. This will allow us to collaborate closely with nearby companies, bringing in industrial practitioners to teach and offer hands-on experience to our students.

Q: How do you plan to integrate these practical experiences into the curriculum, especially considering the challenge of doing so at scale?

GITAM President: One of the biggest challenges in education today is imparting practical, hands-on skills to students at scale. It’s easier to do this with a small group, but when you have close to 5,000 students, like we do, it becomes much more complex. However, having these companies so close by gives us a unique advantage. We’re planning to make experiential learning a critical part of our curriculum. Our goal is to ensure that almost all of our students can participate in internships with these industries. This hands-on experience will complement their academic studies, giving them a well-rounded education that prepares them for the real world.

Q: Speaking of preparing students for the future, research seems to be a key focus for GITAM University. Can you tell us more about your approach to building a strong research culture?

GITAM President: Research is indeed a cornerstone of our academic strategy, especially over the last five to six years. We've shifted from being a campus focused primarily on teaching to one that is now deeply invested in research. Our Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr. K. N. Acharya, has been instrumental in enabling this transformation. We’ve recruited a young and dynamic group of research faculty, and if you visit our campus, you’ll see some state-of-the-art research facilities and labs that have been developed. We believe that to stay relevant in today’s rapidly changing world, we must be at the forefront of creating new knowledge. This is why we emphasize that our faculty must excel not only in teaching but also in research.

Q: How does this emphasis on research influence your faculty recruitment and development?

GITAM President: When we recruit faculty, especially over the past five years, we look for individuals who are not just excellent teachers but also strong researchers. This dual focus is critical for us. We want faculty members who can inspire students in the classroom and contribute to advancing knowledge in their fields. We provide our faculty with the resources and support they need to pursue their research interests. This includes access to cutting-edge facilities, funding opportunities, and collaboration with industry and other academic institutions. By fostering a research-intensive environment, we’re not only enhancing the academic reputation of GITAM but also ensuring that our students are exposed to the latest developments in their respective fields.

Q: With such a strong focus on research, are you also looking at international collaborations to further enhance your academic offerings?

GITAM President: We are indeed engaged in international collaborations, but we’re very selective about how we approach them. Currently, we have deep partnerships with universities like Northeastern University, Coventry University, and the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. However, we’re not aggressively pursuing new international partnerships at this time. Our primary focus is on strengthening our existing campuses in Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. Expanding to new locations would divert resources from our efforts to enhance research infrastructure and recruit high-quality faculty. We believe that as we continue to build our reputation and improve the quality of our students, international universities will naturally seek collaborations with us.

Q: You’ve shared a lot about the exciting developments at GITAM University. What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for the university in the next few years?

GITAM President: One of the biggest challenges we face is scaling our practical, hands-on learning experiences as our student body continues to grow. We need to ensure that every student has access to meaningful internships and industry collaborations, which requires careful planning and strong partnerships with industry. Another challenge is staying ahead in research and technology, especially as AI and other technologies continue to evolve rapidly. However, these challenges also present tremendous opportunities. By addressing these challenges head-on, we can position GITAM as a leader in higher education, not just in India but globally. We have a clear vision for the future, and we’re committed to providing our students with the best possible education and preparing them for success in a rapidly changing world.