NIT Karnataka Director: In AI Era, BTech Courses Need Both Core and Computers, and a Curriculum Overhaul
At a time when Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries and education alike, the Director of the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) Surathkal, Prof. (name not specified in notice), has emphasized the urgent need for a curriculum overhaul in BTech programmes across the country.
Speaking at an academic event, the director highlighted that traditional core engineering disciplines such as mechanical, civil, electrical, and chemical engineering can no longer remain isolated from computer science, data science, and AI-driven technologies.
Bridging Core and Computational Skills
“The future engineer must be someone who is both grounded in core engineering principles and fluent in computational methods. In the age of AI, industry demands graduates who can integrate domain expertise with digital tools,” the director stated.
According to him, engineering students must acquire:
Strong foundations in their core discipline (e.g., thermodynamics, structural design, circuits).
Exposure to AI, machine learning, coding, and data-driven decision-making.
Interdisciplinary knowledge to tackle modern challenges in sustainability, energy, healthcare, and automation.
Call for Curriculum Overhaul
The director called upon the AICTE, universities, and engineering colleges to revise BTech curricula in line with global standards. He noted that while Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and NITs have started integrating data science and AI electives, there is a pressing need to make such courses mandatory across disciplines.
He also stressed on project-based learning, stating that “today’s students must not just learn formulas but also apply them in real-world problem-solving, often using computational models.”
Industry-Academia Collaboration
Another key point raised was the need for stronger partnerships between academia and industry. The director said industries are increasingly looking for engineers who can work with AI tools to optimize production, design, and innovation. Therefore, internships, joint projects, and collaborative research must become integral to engineering education.
The Bigger Picture
This vision aligns with India’s push towards becoming a global hub in AI and digital technologies, as highlighted in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and recent initiatives in higher education. With AI impacting fields as diverse as construction, manufacturing, biomedical engineering, transport, and renewable energy, the demand for hybrid engineers is expected to rise exponentially.
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