Masters’ Union exploring engineering courses in robotics and automation, AI-driven biotechnology: Founder

NEW DELHI: Having established itself as a management institute, now Masters’ Union, a private college in Gurugram, is foraying into engineering education with a four-year undergraduate programme in data science & AI. The founder, Pratham Mittal speaks to Careers360 about how students enrolled in the programme will be working on real-world AI projects following its partnership with leading tech companies. As part of the course, students will have the opportunity to complete their final year at Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), while securing a three-year-work visa. Edited excerpts:

Why did Masters’ Union foray into the engineering stream?

Over the past two years, AI has gone from being an emerging field to the driving force behind industry-wide transformation. It’s no longer just a tool — it’s the foundation of how businesses are being built. Naturally, the demand for professionals who can create AI systems, rather than just use them, has skyrocketed.

At Masters’ Union, technology has always been central to how we teach business. Nearly half of our curriculum already integrates coding, algorithms, hardware, and enterprise technology. Many of our students were organically gravitating towards AI and tech entrepreneurship, which made launching an engineering programme a logical next step.

The real gap in India’s education system isn’t just a lack of AI courses — it’s the absence of institutions teaching students how to build AI models, large language models (LLMs), and deep learning algorithms at scale. That’s the gap we are addressing with our engineering programme.

How will this engineering course be different from what is being offered elsewhere?

Most engineering colleges still follow a traditional model — four years of coursework, heavy on theory, with practical exposure coming in only at the end. That model is outdated. At Masters’ Union, we have flipped the script.

From day one, students will be working on real-world AI projects. Each semester, they will be required to develop new AI-driven products — whether it’s an AI tutor, an automated trading algorithm, or a healthcare diagnostics model. We have partnered with leading tech companies to ensure that these projects aren’t just theoretical but deployed at scale.

Beyond that, students will have the option to complete their final year at Illinois Tech, one of the world’s leading AI research institutions. The programme also offers a 3+1 dual-degree track in collaboration with Illinois Tech, allowing students to gain a global perspective on AI research while securing a three-year work permit in the US. That combination of practical exposure, academic rigor, and global access makes this programme truly unique. This dual-degree pathway gives them a competitive edge in both global and domestic job markets.

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How diverse is the faculty pool for teaching the course?

A programme like this needs to be led by people who have actually built AI systems. That’s why our faculty includes ex-Microsoft and ex-Amazon AI leaders, AI researchers from Imperial College London, and data scientists from Google and Amex. These are professionals who have deployed AI at scale, and they bring that expertise straight into the classroom.

We also have 30% international faculty, including AI researchers from Stanford and ETH Zurich, ensuring that students get a truly global perspective on AI innovation.

There is a general trend of the engineering courses losing sheen over time, placements have also been a struggle, what are your views on it?

The traditional four-year engineering degree has lost its edge because it hasn’t evolved with the industry. Many programmes still teach outdated curricula that don’t align with what companies actually need. As a result, graduates struggle with employability.

The reality is that engineering jobs are shifting — AI, automation and data science are where the real demand is. At Masters’ Union, we’ve built our programme to ensure that students don’t just get placed, they build careers in industries that are growing exponentially. Whether it’s AI in healthcare, finance, or robotics, we’re training students for the future, not the past.

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The fee for the course seems to be high. How will Masters’ Union attract students?

To ensure that deserving students, regardless of financial background, have access to this opportunity, Masters’ Union offers 100% merit-based scholarships to high-achieving candidates. Around 50+ students in the undergraduate batch can avail of these scholarships, making the programme accessible to the brightest minds. This initiative reinforces the institution’s commitment to nurturing talent purely on the basis of merit.

Additionally, when compared to top international universities, Masters’ Union’s fees are significantly lower. Many global institutions charge two to three times the amount, making this programmer an attractive option for students seeking world-class education at a more accessible price point. By offering a globally-competitive curriculum, robust industry partnerships, and financial aid for top performers, Masters’ Union aims to attract students who are considering studying abroad but want a high-quality alternative closer to home.

Are there plans to start any other streams of engineering?

Absolutely. AI is just the beginning. We’re actively exploring engineering programmes in robotics and automation, AI-driven biotechnology, and renewable energy systems.

With automation transforming industries from manufacturing to healthcare, robotics will be a key area of focus. We’re also looking at genetics and biosystems engineering, particularly in AI-driven drug discovery and biotech innovation.

Another major track will be AI-powered sustainable energy, focusing on smart grids, EV technology, and climate tech. Just like with AI, we want to be ahead of the curve in preparing students for these high-growth industries.

Do we see Masters’ Union also slowly becoming a multidisciplinary institute as mandated by the National Education Policy?

The way we see it, technology and business can no longer be taught in isolation. Today’s business leaders need a deep understanding of AI and data science, and engineers need to understand business and product thinking. Our expansion into engineering is a natural evolution of this philosophy.

The NEP has rightly emphasised multidisciplinary learning, and we’ve already been implementing it. Even our management students engage in AI, product development, and data-driven decision-making. So, while we remain committed to our management roots, we are evolving into a broader institution that equips students with the skills they need to thrive in a tech-driven world.