‘T.N. focusing on emerging domains like AI to drive tech-based learning ecosystem’

With the educational technology space opening up new possibilities, Tamil Nadu has chosen to prioritise emerging domains such as AI-driven student guidance solutions, upskilling of teachers using AI and emerging technologies, and establishing innovation labs in colleges, polytechnics, and universities to meet the challenges, P. Shankar, State Higher Education Secretary, said here on Friday.

Speaking at the inaugural event of the CII Tamil Nadu EduTech Conference, Dr. Shankar said the government was working to integrate AI-based career counselling systems within institutions to map student aspirations, identify learning pathways, and recommend courses, internships, and employment options.

The government, he said, has expanded faculty development programmes across disciplines, and envisions large-scale training in emerging technology tools for teaching and assessment. Setting up AI labs, robotics centres, and maker spaces in polytechnics, strengthening university innovation systems, and creating employability pathways through internships and placement partnerships were some of the priorities it was working on.

The government was also pursuing digital content development in Tamil and local languages, and establishing personalised learning platforms for rural colleges, Dr. Shankar added.

Inaugurating the conference, Higher Education Minister Govi. Chezhiaan said technology-oriented teaching, learning, administration, research, and skill development should reach all students.

Course curricula for engineering and polytechnic colleges have been revised in consultation with industry houses, universities, and manufacturing companies. This, Dr. Chezhiaan said, would enable students to be trained in modern technology to cater to industry requirements. Collaboration between industry and educational institutions was a necessity to stay above the curve in skill development, he added.

C. Muthamizhchelvan, vice-chancellor, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, said teachers need to adapt to present-day requirements, such as flexibility in learning methods and teaching challenging concepts in a way that learning could happen outside the classroom as well. “If students take part in hackathons, they should be given credit for that,” he added.

R. Nandini, Co-Chairperson, CII National Higher Education, Technology, R&D and Innovation Council, said higher education institutions should build a strong foundation, empower faculty at scale, make curricular work relevant and measurable, expand student opportunities and inclusion by giving them immersive content and assistive technologies to personalise their learning, and offer scholarships and blended models for making it affordable for them.

Senthil Ganesh, convenor, Education Panel, CII Tamil Nadu, and Mike Muralidharan, co-convenor, Education Panel, CII Tamil Nadu, spoke.