'Future is technology-driven, need to push AI-based development in Punjab'

Strap: Dr Vijay K Banga, Principal, ACE, says the time is ripe to promote artificial intelligence for better development of institutions & students

The growing need to push the research and development sector post-pandemic in the country and the future driven goals of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Amritsar Group of Colleges (AGC) has put emphasis on creating an impetus in research, both applied and fundamental. Dr Vijay K Banga, Principal, ACE, with 20 years of academic experience behind him, endorses the change towards industry-oriented technology and training students for the future. He is also working as a ‘mentor of change’ for the government of India’s flagship programme of Atal Tinkering Labs, established by the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI AYOG. In conversation with Neha Saini, he shares details about the MoU signed between ACE and US based, Sabudh Foundation to develop AI-based learning and development in Punjab.

What is the scope of the MoU signed with regards to development of artificial intelligence based technology?

The MoU aims to create momentum in artificial intelligence, machine learning and other advanced technologies in the Punjab. The Sabudh Foundation’s regional office in Mohali will aid in training students in these advanced technologies and impart special lectures, create a project bank for students, with the goal of enhancing their skills and employability. The Sabudh Data Science for Social Good Centre will be established in ACE, to bring the best academic and industry content for educating local talent, to conduct workshops and training courses for students and academics.

How do you see AI as an aide in socio-economical development of the state?

Post-pandemic, we have learnt the impact and efficiency of technology, with everything shifting to digital mode. AI is the future and its scope is expansive. Our aim is to create manpower for future, to ideate projects of social impact with government agencies and civil society, to develop apps for data collection to allow the development of social impact solutions and support social entrepreneurship amongst students. All this has the potential of addressing social problems in the region as well. The Sabudh Foundation is collaborating with PEC, Chandigarh, GEC, Ludhiana and ACE, Amritsar, to create regional centres of research development.

How has the pandemic changed the academic structure of technical education institute like yours?

There has been an instrumental change and I must say for better. Though many may opine that advanced technical education majorly dependent on practical learning might have found it difficult to transit from conventional to digital mode, it has improved the learning methodology and way of functioning. Apart from regular online classes, we have been conducting live demonstrations and workshops for practical training to our students. We have been using PP presentations, other audio-visual aids for more clarity in our classes. Our attendance through online mode has been about 80 per cent throughout. We also developed in-house system for conducting 100 per cent online examinations, which was a success. We have about 350 foreign students from countries like Thailand, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sudan, Indonesia, etc, who have all been attending online classes.

When do you plan to reopen for students?

We will reopen from November 17 onwards and any student willing to come to college is welcome. We have all the safety measures in place and ensure that new social distancing protocol is put in place. We also plan to reopen hostel for students from first week of December after consulting them. In the meantime, we will continue with offline and online mode of classes.

In context of higher technical education post-pandemic, what courses are under spotlight?

Everyone after the pandemic is quite cautious now, about their self and the world around them. There will be a lot of focus on research-based courses, especially in the field of science and technology since we know how technology-driven we have become. Courses that engage students in healthcare technology, biotechnology and innovation will take center stage. We have already been running courses in B Pharma, D Pharma, B Tech in computer-based science and application development that bring together medicine and engineering.