‘TN focuses on emerging domains such as AI to drive technology-based learning ecosystem’

As the education technology space opens up new possibilities, Tamil Nadu has chosen to prioritize emerging areas such as AI-driven solutions for student guidance, upskilling of teachers using AI and emerging technologies, and setting up innovation labs in colleges, colleges and universities to meet the challenges, P. Shankar, Minister of State for Higher Education, said here on Friday.

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

The government, he said, has expanded faculty development programs across disciplines and is considering large-scale training in emerging technological tools for teaching and assessment. Setting up AI labs, robotics centers and makerspaces in colleges, strengthening university innovation systems and creating employment pathways through internships and placement partnerships were some of the priorities it was working on.

The government also aimed to develop digital content in Tamil and local languages, and set up personalized learning platforms for rural schools, Dr. Shankar to it.

At the opening of the conference, Minister of Higher Education Govi ​​said. Chezhiaan said technology-oriented education, learning, administration, research and skills development should reach all students.

Curricula for technical and polytechnic colleges have been revised in consultation with industrial houses, universities and manufacturing companies. This, said Dr. Chezhiaan, would enable students to be trained in modern technology to meet the demands of the industry. Collaboration between industry and educational institutions was a necessity to stay above the trend in skill development, he added.

C. Muthamizhchelvan, vice chancellor of SRM Institute of Science and Technology, said teachers must adapt to today’s demands, such as flexibility in teaching methods and teaching challenging concepts in a way that learning can take place outside the classroom. “If students participate in hackathons, they should be given credit for it,” he added.

R. Nandini, co-chairman of the CII National Higher Education, Technology, R&D and Innovation Council, said higher education institutions need to build a strong foundation, strengthen faculty at scale, make curriculum work relevant and measurable, expand student opportunity and inclusion by providing them with immersive content and assistive technologies to personalize their learning, and offer scholarships and blended models to make it affordable for them.

Senthil Ganesh, Chairman, Education Panel, CII Tamil Nadu, and Mike Muralidharan, Co-Chairman, Education Panel, CII Tamil Nadu, spoke.