As the extended AV domains of artificial learning and machine learning (AI/ML) continue to expand across the market segments, they are getting increasingly ‘institutional.’ Chitkara University – acclaimed as one of the best universities in Punjab equipped with sophisticated academic infrastructure – announced its collaboration with NEC Corporation India for furthering its initiatives in higher learning in artificial intelligence and machine learning (Al/ML), and high-performance computing (HPC).
As part of the collaboration, NEC India will support the University for a comprehensive academic programme for aspiring students with hands-on training and research facilities in the area of AI/ML and HPC.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has recently been signed between NEC Corporation India and Chitkara University. The agreement will provide an opportunity for the university to upskill its students, faculty and academic researchers in the field of AI & ML. It will also enable students to obtain certifications for being job-ready and finding suitable employment opportunities within and outside NEC.
NEC India will also provide a vector engine system, namely SX-Aurora TSUBASA, to the university. With the establishment of NEC SX-TSUBASA computer system-driven lab, NEC aims to equip Chitkara University with the technology infrastructure required for the course and project work, job-oriented and hands-on training and research facilities.
“The realm of technical education has been evolving constantly and at great speed,” observed Madhu Chitkara, pro-chancellor, Chitkara University. “This MoU will enable and equip young graduates with analytical capabilities including the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning,” she said, “that will help unlock the benefits of digitalisation and innovation with the help of blended education.”
Endorsing the view, NEC India’s general manager and head-Artificial Intelligence Platform Deepak Jha said, AI/ML and HPC will be the drivers of technological and social change in the coming years. “This joint certification programme will create industry-ready professionals,” he said, “we at NEC India strive to build state-of-the-art solutions focused on overcoming complex technological and business challenges, and above all, we believe in sharing our knowledge, skills and expertise with future generations.”
According to him, over the last two decades, the world has seen a radical transformation in the field of AI research and High-Performance Computing (HPC), transforming from a small, relatively niche domain into an extensive web of pioneering innovations, empowering almost every facet of life. To accelerate India’s vision to enable a technologically empowered nation, NEC India will co-create a state-of-the-art education programme to help students achieve outstanding performance across diverse workloads by establishing a dedicated AI/HPC lab on the campus.
India, as it is, ranks first in world in AI talent concentration. Its Network Readiness Index for the year 2022 rised up by six spots to rank 61 out of 131 economies. Initiatives such as NEC’s collaboration with Chitkara University is hoped to further enhance India’s tech talent pool.
Set-up on a sprawling campus, some 30 km outside Chandigarh, Chitkara University has been established and managed by passionate academicians with the sole mission of making each and every student “industry ready.” With over 25,000 students and 1,700 staff from over 100 different countries, the university prides in the impact that its graduates, life-changing research, and innovative campuses and industry developments have made – both in India and around the world.
Chitkara University has been awarded the rating of A+ by the prestigious National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which places it among the five per cent of higher education institutions (HEIs) in India to be granted such a coveted grade.
