Chandigarh University UP hosts AI-Bootcamp with Microsoft, FTII, IIT Delhi to make future workforce

Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh (CU, UP) has joined hands with Microsoft for its first-ever artificial intelligence (AI) Bootcamp. Under ‘Unnati AI’ initiative, the AI Bootcamp was also co-hosted by the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi).

Notably, Microsoft has also mandated that women should occupy 50% of the evaluation slots at bootcamps to establish gender parity and uplift upcoming talent from Tier 2 and 3 cities.

Satnam Singh Sandhu, chancellor and Member of Parliament, Chandigarh University, said: “The newly built UP campus looks to establish partnerships in industries which are essential pathways for the future, such as Data Analytics, Cyber Security, Cloud Computing, and Fintech. The Unnati AI program was based on discussions held with Prime Minister Modi regarding how AI could be leveraged for national development. We hope that the next Sundar Pichai or Satya Nadella will emerge from this very place.”

The event has attracted over 300 students from various backgrounds, including engineering, business, commerce, and computer applications. The AI Bootcamp is the only first of many initiatives that will grow into a partnership focused on creating a talent pool prepared for the workforce of the future, the university said.

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Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh: First-AI-powered campus

As part of the collaboration, Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh is working to deliver new programmes in AI and machine learning (ML), which will provide students with the tools and education to succeed in “fast changing technology environment,” the university added.

Lipika Sharma of Microsoft said: “While many universities are still exploring how to make India’s youth industry-ready in Artificial Intelligence, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh has taken a pioneering step by establishing the country’s first AI-supported campus.”

Sharma reminded that AI should not be mistaken for a replacement for human labor, though those who possess skills in AI will have a distinct competitive advantage.

Abhishek Tiwari, founder of Venture Mozart, said: “This action would not only benefit the students from UP but would also serve as an example for other institutions in India to consider doing the same. Knowing how to use AI was practically useless without being able to turn those skills into opportunities.”

Furthermore, Jai Inder Singh Sandhu, managing director of Chandigarh University, said: “The new campus comes with an over ₹2500 crore investment and establishing 5 Centres of Excellence commitment will allow CU-UP to develop a serious research and innovation foundation. As well, the university will provide ₹3 crore CV Raman Scholarships for promising students pursuing scientific fields.”

Disclaimer: This content was distributed by the Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh and has been published as part of Careers360’s marketing initiative.