Pune: Students will now get an opportunity for in-depth study in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science in the university. Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to set up ‘Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science’.
As reported earlier by Sakal Times on January 9, Vice-Chancellor of SPPU Nitin Karmalkar had announced that varsity in association with C-DAC was mulling upon starting an ‘Centre of Excellence in AI and Data Science’. Both the institutions will soon sign a detailed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) about the collaboration.
The university will use C-DAC HPC technology in undergraduate/graduate curriculum for training of students and faculty members and also in research and development projects.
“The Centre will be positioned in unique way as it brings together two distinct institutions, SPPU which has an established and long standing in the area of formal education and research, and C-DAC which is engaged in research, development and deploying advanced IT solutions as well as delivering industry relevant IT courses. The synergy so generated will lead to capacity building through benefits to the researcher and skill enhancements to students associated with the centre, in particular and the society at large,” read the official statement.
The centre will function from the Khosla Research and Development Centre Building on SPPU campus. It aims at promoting research, generation of IP, launching certificate courses, capacity building through skilling, creating educational courses and training material, exhibiting and showcasing cutting-edge technology in the domain of AI, Data Science and Machine Learning.
“This is very important development. Through this centre, we will start a training programme on Data Sciences and AI. It will help in producing Industry 4.0 relevant manpower. ‘Param’, a High Computing Facility available at C-DAC, will be helpful in research. It will enable students and faculty training on the campus,” said Karmalkar.
“Moreover, SPPU, C-DAC and Smart City Development Corporation Ltd. can come together to find out solutions for issues in smart cities,” added Karmalkar.