LUCKNOW: To strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s technological education ecosystem, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) has announced plans to set up state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) institutes to create a skilled workforce for future industry demands. The initiative will play a crucial role in building a robust foundation for AI-based learning, research, and innovation in the state. Under this ambitious plan, two regional AI-focused engineering colleges will be established. One at the AKTU main campus in Lucknow, and another at the UP Institute of Design (UPID) in Noida. According to officials, the total investment for the project will be Rs 350 crore.
“We are building a complete system for AI learning, research, and skill development. These institutes will become centres of knowledge that promote innovation and help students gain expertise in new technologies,” said Prof. J.P. Pandey, Vice Chancellor of AKTU.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) aims to make these centres serve as AI Centres of Excellence, providing advanced training, research opportunities, and support to affiliated colleges and start-ups across Uttar Pradesh. It has set a target to train over one lakh students in various domains of Artificial Intelligence. The university will launch a special certification course in AI, open to students from engineering, management, and design backgrounds.
In addition, AI applications will be integrated into the curriculum of all courses offered by AKTU and its affiliated colleges. This will ensure that every student gains foundational knowledge and hands-on exposure to the latest developments in AI. “For example, in structural engineering, students will learn how to use AI tools to analyze design efficiency and ensure structural safety,” Prof. Pandey explained.
Recognizing that AI learning requires high-performance computing infrastructure, AKTU plans to make Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) accessible to its affiliated colleges through a Virtual Private Network (VPN). “Our main AI lab and new institutes will work as common learning centres. Through VPN technology, colleges will be able to use GPU resources from our Lucknow campus remotely,” said the Vice Chancellor.
This initiative will democratize access to AI training resources, allowing even smaller colleges to participate in high-end research and learning, which was previously unaffordable due to hardware costs.
The proposed AI institutes will not only focus on education but also support start-ups and research-driven innovation. “These centres will help start-ups create AI-based models, automate their work, and build solutions using data. They will act as research partners and incubation hubs for new AI ventures,” Prof. Pandey added. The institutes will also collaborate with the AKTU Innovation Hub and industry partners to promote AI entrepreneurship, providing students and researchers with mentorship, technical guidance, and access to modern AI tools.
AKTU is taking a multidisciplinary approach by introducing AI applications across all subjects and domains. The inclusion of AI in management, finance, healthcare, and design courses will ensure that students are equipped to apply AI-based solutions to real-world challenges. The university’s vision is to make AI learning inclusive, practical, and industry-oriented, preparing students for the rapidly evolving global job market.
With these initiatives, AKTU is positioning itself as a leader in AI education and innovation in North India. The establishment of AI institutes in Lucknow and Noida marks a milestone in UP’s journey towards becoming a hub for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. “By embedding AI across courses and creating advanced learning facilities, we are shaping the future workforce that will drive innovation and technological growth. This initiative will not only benefit AKTU students but also strengthen India’s position in the global AI ecosystem,” said Prof. Pandey.
