AKTU to be restructured as Uttar Pradesh’s first artificial intelligence university

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University is set to be reshaped into Uttar Pradesh’s first dedicated artificial intelligence university, with plans under way to embed AI across teaching, research and academic administration.

The proposed transition involves a complete reworking of the curriculum to make artificial intelligence compulsory across all engineering and professional courses. Rather than being taught as a separate subject, AI components will be integrated into each discipline to ensure students gain domain specific exposure.

The university has already put in place an advanced artificial intelligence laboratory, equipped with a 5 petaflop high performance computing system and extensive GPU capacity. The infrastructure is designed to support large scale research, simulations and AI model development. AKTU has proposed an investment of Rs 150 crore for the project, while the state technical education department is expected to contribute an additional Rs 350 crore.

Vice Chancellor JP Pandey said the transition is expected to be completed within the next four months. He said each branch of engineering will include at least one AI focused unit linked to its core subject area.

The initiative also extends beyond the main campus. Affiliated colleges will be given remote access to the AI lab through a secure virtual private network, allowing students and faculty to use advanced computing resources. The university plans to support start ups and student led projects and has set a target of training and certifying one lakh students in AI related skills.

The academic overhaul will include AI based learning systems to handle routine academic tasks and provide personalised learning support to students, reducing administrative pressure on faculty.

Anuj Kumar Sharma, dean academics at the university’s Centre of Advanced Studies, said the move is aimed at positioning AKTU alongside global institutions that have made artificial intelligence central to their academic and research strategy.