The state government of Haryana has proposed setting up an institute of emerging technologies to foster professional training in artificial intelligence (AI), additive manufacturing, big-data analysis, and cryptography. The institute aims to help students master the latest technologies, enabling them to solve some of society’s most pressing issues. Earlier this month, the government held a meeting with consultancy companies in the Gurgaon district to discuss the idea and structure of the institute and asked the companies to submit their concept papers for the institute by the end of March.
At the meeting, officials reportedly decided that the institute would not focus on providing a degree or diploma but on producing professionals who would help solve societal problems. Apart from researching and developing cutting-edge technologies, the institute will build strong connections with industries. According to an official, the state is in need of highly-skilled, qualified tech professionals who can tap into the potential of technologies that are emerging across the world. The institute aims to bridge that gap. To compete with the advanced economies in knowledge and technology, a modern, autonomous institute must be established with the help of national and international institutes of repute.
Officials, including representatives from the Technical Education Department, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), and the Deputy Commissioner of Gurgaon, discussed the infrastructural requirements of the institute both physical and digital. An official explained that it would be a greenfield project on unused land, and the government wants to develop it as one of the best technical institutes in the world. After receiving the concept papers from the companies, the department will study and prepare a summary report that will be shared with all stakeholders before further action is taken in this regard, the official noted.
The country has been pushing educational initiatives in technology, aiming to meet the rising demand for IT experts. In fact, according to reports, for the past year, India has been experiencing an unprecedented increase in the number of blockchain-related courses, as the demand rises for blockchain-educated professionals in the country. Several major institutes in India have already jumped on the bandwagon and introduced courses in blockchain technology. There’s a need for blockchain analysts, architects, remote trainers, and other professionals with ‘blockchain’ in their job descriptions.
Last month, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) Pravartak Technologies Foundation announced it would educate students at government schools in rural areas of Tamil Nadu in computer science. OpenGov Asia had reported that IIT-Madras partnered with an educational provider to set up two Rural Technology Centres with plans to establish more centres this year.
After assessing the students, the centres will teach basic digital literacy and the basics of programming. The IIT-Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation will provide the project with financial and technical support. Students from government schools in Classes 9 to 12 will learn about advanced technologies like drones, 3D printing, robotics, AI, animation, webpage design, and hardware-based programming. According to IIT-Madras, some of the objectives of the project are to encourage the use of new technology, allow children to experience new technologies under the guidance of teachers, and develop students’ computational thinking. It aims to foster design thinking skills and provide students with a chance to express their creativity through interesting projects. Overall, the target is to spread the knowledge of technology and its benefits to rural areas.
