T.G. Sitaram, the chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), announced plans to convert the currently inactive AICTE regional office in Bengaluru into a Quantum Computing Lab. This declaration was made during a felicitation event organized by members of the Senate from the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) at the VTU Regional Center in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Sitaram highlighted that the university has submitted a proposal for this transformation, which AICTE has taken under consideration. He remarked, “Quantum computing is gaining prominence and launching it in Bengaluru will benefit many.” He emphasized the importance of such advancements in education, particularly in light of the fact that approximately 1.5 million students graduate with engineering degrees in India each year, yet the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for higher education remains notably low.
According to Sitaram, the GER for higher education in India is currently at 32.5%, a stark contrast to South Korea”s 96%. He pointed out that this situation presents a golden opportunity for improvement, urging engineering colleges to take proactive measures to enhance enrollment.
During the event, Sundar Madakshira, Chief Marketing Officer of Sinch India, addressed the audience on the theme “Building Professionals for the Future: The Role of Universities and Educational Institutions.” He stressed the need for universities to produce graduates equipped with skills that meet industry demands. Madakshira encouraged students to adopt a lifelong learning mindset rather than waiting until employment is secured. He noted that many employees aim to retire early, with a significant percentage preferring to work as hobbyist professionals. This trend, he argued, makes it increasingly challenging to find qualified employees. He advised students to focus on networking, as these connections will become vital to their future success.
