With advances in artificial Intelligence and machine learning going at breakneck speed, several universities are doing everything they can to ensure that new technology is taught in their classrooms in an effort to make students more ready for the future.
According to Prof. Shantanu Roy, Executive Director, IIT Delhi – Abu Dhabi, this is a “moment of possibility” for students. “Technology is reshaping every industry, and traditional career paths are being disrupted,” he said. “Talent is no longer confined by borders — it’s fluid, digital, and deeply interconnected. In this rapidly evolving landscape, higher education must transform. At IIT Delhi – Abu Dhabi, we view this as a moment of possibility, not just for our students but for the region and the world.
He added that IIT Abu Dhabi was building programmes “rooted in research” and that was “responsive” to the needs of the industry. “Whether it’s clean energy, water security, AI, or health tech, our students and faculty work on solutions that matter,” he said. “They’ll collaborate across disciplines, cultures, and borders. They’ll graduate with knowledge and the ability to lead in a world of constant change. The future of education is not in silos — it is collaborative, inclusive, and globally networked.”
His comments came on the second day of the KT UniExpo, which saw thousands of students and parents interact with over 35 universities to learn more about future educational and career prospects.
At the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani – Dubai campus, education about new technology is integrated into every classroom, irrespective of the course students are enrolled in. “AI, robotics, blockchain and machine learning are all very important topics in today’s world,” said Geethu Menon, Admissions Executive at the university. “So these subjects are taught irrespective of which course the students are registered in. Any student can choose these electives across disciplines. This is to ensure that no matter which degree they are choosing, they have a basic understanding of the topics that will be important in the future.”
At the Vellore Institute of Technology, one of the most prestigious engineering colleges in Asia, instructors keep a close contact with alumni in various fields to ensure that the latest technology is incorporated into teaching. “We have over 300,000 alumni all over the world and most of them are C-suite professionals,” said Dr. Deepa Madathil, Professor and Director of Outreach at the university. “They give us a lot of input on what the latest technology is so that students can be made industry ready. From the first semester, we train students in the latest technology.
The university, which recently launched its first international campus in Mauritius has seen very high interest for their computer engineering program with specialisations in data science, AI and machine learning.
AI has also made its way into the devices that students use. According to Nabeel Noorudden, a promoter for HP, there is a high demand for devices which combine multiple capabilities in a single place.
“In a traditional laptop, you only see CPU or GPU,” he said. “Now we have something called NPU or neural processing unit in our laptops. This is going to help users to do more tasks with a better battery backup. We have integrated AI into 48 types of NPU in our new Omnibook flip, which has become very popular among students.”
Several universities highlighted that it was important to train students in soft skills for the workplace. A spokesperson for Symbiosis International University Dubai said that it was important for students to learn soft skills right from the first semester. “We make sure they have soft skills in addition to technical skills,” said Shreebha Pillai, Head of Admission and Promotions. “We prepare students to be confident in public speaking, how to build a CV, how to attend interviews and so on.”
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