Dainik Nation News Portal
DAINIK NATION BUREAU/DEHRADUN
Students enrolled in government colleges and universities across Uttarakhand will now have the opportunity to gain expertise in futuristic subjects such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Emerging Technologies, Data Science, and Entrepreneurship. In a significant move, the Higher Education Department has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with leading institutions including Infosys, NASSCOM, and the Wadhwani Group to provide access to these high-demand courses.
According to Prof. Kamal Kishore Pandey, Director of Higher Education, the introduction of these subjects is aligned with the National Credit Framework (NCRF) and will be implemented from the current academic session in all government colleges and universities. Students can choose these industry-aligned courses alongside their regular curriculum, gaining additional skills without disrupting their academic schedule.
The initiative, supported by the Setu Commission, includes a tripartite MoU ensuring easy and structured access to courses in AI, emerging technologies, and digital entrepreneurship. Notably, students outside the revised curriculum framework will also be eligible to enroll in these programs, making advanced technical education more inclusive.
Prof. Pandey further clarified that students from any academic stream can opt for courses such as AI, Emerging Tech, Entrepreneurship, and New Venture Creation starting from their first year. Final-year students, in particular, can also take the “Jeevan Kaushal” life skills course offered by the Wadhwani Group, which is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
In a pioneering step, it will be mandatory for Arts and Humanities students to complete a Data Science course in at least one semester. These additional courses will not only enhance students’ employability and technical capabilities but will also earn them extra academic credits, which will be reflected in their final mark sheets.
