JSS Science and Technology University (JSS STU), Mysuru, in association with the Forum of Former Vice Chancellors of Karnataka (FVCK), Bengaluru, successfully organised a one-day national seminar on “Reimagining Higher Education in India through Artificial Intelligence” at the JSS CMS, JSS TI Campus in Mysuru on Saturday.

The seminar brought together more than 40 former Vice-Chancellors representing universities across Karnataka, distinguished academicians, education leaders, industry experts, researchers, and policymakers to deliberate on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in reshaping higher education institutions in India.

Dr. B. Suresh, Pro-Chancellor, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER) and Director, Technical Education Division, JSS Mahavidyapeetha inaugurated the conference.

In his address, Dr. Suresh highlighted the immense potential of Artificial Intelligence in transforming universities and academic institutions. He emphasised that AI can significantly enhance teaching-learning pedagogy, improve student engagement, enable personalised learning experiences, and support data-driven academic decision making.

He also noted that Vice-Chancellors and academic leaders have a critical role in steering universities through this technological revolution by integrating AI into institutional policies, governance, curriculum design, research, and administration.

He stressed that the entire educational infrastructure—from classrooms and laboratories to digital learning ecosystems—must be redesigned and aligned with emerging AI-enabled teaching and learning processes.

Dr. A. N. Santosh Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, JSS STU, Mysuru underscored the importance of embracing emerging technologies to prepare students and institutions for the future knowledge economy.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Jayakumar Singaram, general manager, Signal Processing, Mistral Solutions Pvt. Ltd., spoke extensively on the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence in education. He outlined the evolving requirements of the education sector in the AI era and emphasised the need for universities to adapt their curricula, research priorities, faculty development initiatives, and learning methodologies to meet the expectations of Industry 5.0 and the rapidly changing technological landscape.

The seminar featured a series of expert sessions covering diverse themes including AI as a strategic lever in higher education leadership, AI in teaching-learning and academic innovation, AI-driven research and funding opportunities, industry expectations from universities in the AI age, and AI-enabled digital libraries for higher education institutions.

A panel discussion involving eminent academicians and former Vice-Chancellors explored strategies for integrating AI into university ecosystems while ensuring ethical and responsible adoption.

Presiding over the conference, Dr. S. Chandrashekar Shetty, president, Forum of Former Vice Chancellors of Karnataka, emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts among academia, industry, and policymakers to harness AI for improving educational quality and accessibility. The seminar concluded with a consensus that Artificial Intelligence will be a defining force in the future of higher education, and universities must proactively embrace innovation, develop AI-ready infrastructure, and equip students and faculty with the competencies required for the digital era.