Thapar Institute partners with NVIDIA to launch AI-enabled University; Offer B.E., Masters in AI, ML

This initiative aims to offer a comprehensive range of academic programs, research opportunities, and innovation projects to empower both students and faculty with essential AI skills and knowledge.

Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology (TIET) has signed an MOU with NVIDIA to establish the Thapar School of Advanced AI & Data Science (TSAAI), with technical support from the NVIDIA AI University program.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between TIET and NVIDIA, TSAAI will be established at TIET's campus, Patiala. This initiative aims to offer a comprehensive range of academic programs, research opportunities, and innovation projects to empower both students and faculty with essential AI skills and knowledge.

AI has become an integral part of daily life, from navigation systems to facial recognition technologies. However, India faces a significant gap in AI expertise, highlighting the urgent need for skilled professionals in this field.

"We are excited about the opportunity to establish this AI school, in technical collaboration with NVIDIA," said Dr. Padmakumar Nair, Director of Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology. "This work will not only bridge the gap in AI expertise but also pave the way for cutting-edge research and innovation in this transformative field. This also establishes our vision of providing education that creates future-ready students."

“As a key player in the global AI education initiative, Thapar Institute will integrate cutting-edge NVIDIA technologies to cultivate a new generation of AI experts across India,” said Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director of Asia South at NVIDIA. “The new AI school will help bridge the gap in AI expertise and pave the way for breakthrough research and innovation in the industry.”

As per a release issued by the TIET, This AI university program aims to offer a comprehensive range of courses, labs, research opportunities and innovation projects to empower both students and faculty with essential AI skills and knowledge. By the dawn of the first semester 2024-2025 academic year, the infrastructure will be ready to support a full undergraduate AI degree program, AI mandatory/elective courses across all disciplines, technical training for faculty and staff, research collaborations, and establishment of an AI startup ecosystem powered by NVIDIA edge computing. Within a span of 2-4 years, TIET will make sure any student who is graduating will be “AI literate” by making required curriculum changes and additional requirements. First on the block is to initiate the Thapar Digital Twin project, followed by a number of mega interdisciplinary projects in areas ranging from food security, urban planning, healthcare, and cybersecurity to robotics and more.