Academic leaders, vice-chancellors must integrate AI into curriculum development: JSS AHER pro-chancellor

Mysuru: In a significant initiative aimed at exploring the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in academia, JSS Science and Technology University (JSS STU), Mysuru, in association with the Forum of Former Vice Chancellors of Karnataka (FVCK), Bengaluru, organised a one-day national seminar on 'Reimagining Higher Education in India Through Artificial Intelligence’ at the Conference Hall of JSS CMS, JSS TI campus, on Saturday.

The seminar brought together more than 40 former vice-chancellors from universities across Karnataka, along with eminent academicians, education leaders, industry experts, researchers and policymakers. The event served as a platform to deliberate on the opportunities and challenges presented by AI and its growing influence on higher education institutions.

The seminar was inaugurated by B Suresh, pro-chancellor, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSS AHER), and director, technical education division, JSS Mahavidyapeetha. He highlighted the immense potential of AI to revolutionise teaching-learning methodologies, enhance student engagement, facilitate personalised learning experiences and support data-driven academic decision-making. He stressed that academic leaders and vice-chancellors must take the lead in integrating AI into governance, curriculum development, research and administration, while redesigning educational infrastructure to align with emerging digital learning ecosystems.

AN Santosh Kumar, vice-chancellor of JSS STU, emphasised the need for institutions to embrace technological advancements to prepare students for the future knowledge economy.

Delivering the keynote address, Jayakumar Singaram, general manager, Signal Processing, Mistral Solutions, discussed the evolving role of AI in education and underscored the need for universities to adapt to Industry 5.0 through curriculum reforms, faculty development and innovative research initiatives.

Presiding over the function, S Chandrashekar Shetty, president of FVCK, called for stronger collaboration among academia, industry and policymakers. The seminar concluded with a consensus that AI will play a defining role in shaping the future of higher education and that universities must proactively build AI-ready ecosystems to remain globally competitive.