Personalised learning through AI is the future: VIT Vice-President Sekar Viswanathan

Noting that the institution has been adopting innovative AI-based tools and systems to enhance the overall learning experience for students, he said faculty also need to be updated with technology to enlighten students about various developments.

In a conversation with Ramya Kannan, Chief of Bureau (Tamil Nadu), The Hindu, on ‘From Classrooms to Cosmos’, Mr. Sekar elaborated on various facilities, such as a Teaching Learning Centre of Excellence and faculty development centres, where faculty are encouraged to attend knowledge sessions on agentic AI and AI in solar energy. Faculty training is key in providing quality education, he said.

Responding to a question on using AI and Internet of Things (IoT) in various disciplines, he said non-engineering schools also get the advantage of technology. For instance, law school students learn about cyber security law and AI in law, and agricuture students are exposed to drone technology and remote sensing in agriculture and smart farming. “We make sure that AI is used in every subject, and it is the common denominator so that students gain domain expertise and also learn to integrate technology in all fields,” he said.

Highlighting programmes like curriculum for applied learning and adaptive curriculum for excellence, Mr. Sekar said students are allowed to study other subjects apart from their discipline. For instance, a mechanical student can learn marketing or specialise in IoT. “We allow programme migration. Multidisciplinary education will increase their employability,” he said.

Digital divide

On a question on digital divide and limitations to students’ access to technology, he said VIT has started online courses to reach out to students in remote areas. The country has also made significant progress in providing technological access to the student community, he added.

While appreciating the State government’s scheme to provide free laptops to students and the Centre’s policy in reducing the cost of bandwidth, Mr. Sekar said the government must ensure network reach in remote, hilly areas.

Underlining the need for providing affordable higher education to more youngsters, he said the government must increase funding for education, as private institutions have limitations in extending scholarships. Programmes such as the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship must reach all institutions. The government must adopt a liberal approach, allowing institutions to open more campuses and increase the intake of students.

Hackathons and entrepreneurship

On a question about relevance of mentorship and hackathons in educational institutions, Mr. Sekar cited examples at VIT, where hackathons are conducted as assessment tools and startups are funded. Students are encouraged to solve problems provided by industries as part of their course and this, in turn, develops entrepreneurship. What starts as simple problem solving in a classroom leads to startups through the technology business incubator at VIT, and eventually, the betterment of society.

Elaborating on collaborative initiatives with the industry, he said close connect with the industries help students with better job prospects and prepare them for reality. Besides modules taught by industry experts, students also learn soft skills for better employability. VIT also offered short programmes for industry professionals.

Later, answering a question on the education sector’s response to pandemic resilience by N. Ram, Director, The Hindu Group, Mr. Sekar said VIT switched to live online education and also provided device and network access to students. Students were also brought to campus and were in isolation while gaining access to education.