Bhubaneswar, Sept. 7 (UDN): Odisha is set to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging skill-based learning into undergraduate and postgraduate education as part of a broader effort to prepare students for the evolving demands of the digital economy.
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The Higher Education Department has signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with CSR Box, Nandi Foundation, Odisha Knowledge Corporation Limited (OKCL) and NASSCOM to expand AI education, digital skills and entrepreneurship opportunities across higher educational institutions.
Under the partnership with NASSCOM, the ‘AI Course for All’ programme will provide online training to students and teachers from Arts, Science and Commerce streams. The programme will cover areas including AI, digital literacy, enterprise design thinking and project management.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said around 1.25 lakh students and teachers are expected to benefit from the programme. Students from 107 higher educational institutions located in remote and aspirational districts will also be covered under the skill development initiative.
Focus on Women Students and Faculty Training
As part of the initiative, offline training will be organised for final-year female undergraduate and postgraduate students. The programme will focus on financial literacy, critical thinking, communication and public speaking skills.
The state is also planning specialised AI training for teachers. As part of the programme, 40 teachers will undergo a six-day training session at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) in Ahmedabad.
Students have welcomed the move, describing the introduction of AI and professional skills as a useful addition to conventional academic education.
Akash Behera, a Plus 3 student of FM University, said the initiative would help students acquire skills that could remain useful even after graduation and during higher studies.
Another student, Arundhati Padhi, said exposure to professional courses and new areas of learning could help students prepare better for their careers and gain knowledge beyond their regular academic curriculum.
New Digital Platforms Launched
The Higher Education Department has also launched an Academic Performance Assessment Portal and a Question Bank Portal to monitor and assess the performance of institutions, teachers and students.
The initiatives are aimed at strengthening technology-driven education while creating greater opportunities for skill development, innovation and entrepreneurship among students.
With the agreements now in place, the focus will be on implementing the programmes effectively and ensuring that AI and skill-based learning reaches students and teachers across higher educational institutions in Odisha.