The initiative, supported by Viksit Amritsar, was formally launched during a virtual inaugural event on June 1. / AI Generated

University of Maryland and Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) in Amritsar launched a new artificial intelligence education partnership, introducing a six-week certificate program that will provide specialized AI training to 30 selected students at the Indian university.

The initiative, supported by Viksit Amritsar, was formally launched during a virtual inaugural event on June 1 that brought together academic leaders, government officials, members of the Indian diaspora and students. Organizers said the collaboration is intended to provide students with training in artificial intelligence and expand educational ties between the two institutions.

More than 300 students applied for the program, according to Dr. Sandeep Sharma of GNDU. After written assessments and interviews, 30 students were selected for the course. The curriculum will cover large language models, AI foundations, training techniques, image generation and practical applications of artificial intelligence.

Delhi Lt. Gov. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who also serves as a board member of Viksit Amritsar, welcomed the collaboration and described it as an important step in preparing young people for the age of artificial intelligence.

Singh said the partnership should continue to grow and help equip youth with skills that can be used for "global good."

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Dr. Sanjiv Lakhanpal, founder of Viksit Amritsar, said the organization aims to create opportunities for talented students regardless of where they come from.

"What we are really trying to do through this organization is connect talent to opportunity," Lakhanpal said.

He said talent could be found not only in major cities but also in villages across Punjab.

"Artificial intelligence is gonna be the theme. It already is the theme of today, and it will be the theme of tomorrow," he said.

GNDU Vice Chancellor Prof. Karamjeet Singh said the partnership reflects "a shared vision for shaping this future of knowledge, innovation and ethical responsibility."

He said artificial intelligence is transforming economies, education and human interaction, making international academic collaborations increasingly important.

"The real question is not what AI can do, but what AI could do and from whom," Singh said.

He added that the program would help students gain access to global expertise while remaining rooted in their own values and culture.

Amitabh Varshney, dean of the University of Maryland's College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, said the world had reached "a very rare inflection point in the human history" as artificial intelligence reshapes medicine, agriculture, business and society.

"The question is no longer whether AI will transform the world. The question is who will lead that transformation?" Varshney said.

He noted that Indian scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs have played a significant role in the growth of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies worldwide.

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Maryland Secretary of Higher Education Sanjay Rai said the partnership demonstrates how technology can expand access to high-quality education across borders.

"The power of this partnership that we are embarking upon today, these partnerships can be scaled up and more and more students, communities, state, nation, and the world can benefit from it," Rai said.

Rai said students selected for the program would gain access to leading faculty members, collaborative research opportunities and exposure to current developments in artificial intelligence.

"I have a feeling that just like Google developed at on our campus, on this side of the world, the next Google of AI may happen, may start from Guru Nanak Dev University," Rai said.

"It may be started by one of four 30 students who are going through this program."

According to Dr. Sandeep Sharma of GNDU, more than 300 students applied for the program. Following written assessments and interviews, 30 students were selected.

The six-week course will cover AI foundations, large language models, training techniques, image generation and practical applications of artificial intelligence.

Students selected for the program said they hope to apply artificial intelligence in fields including software development, data science, healthcare and agriculture.

Dr. Sudhir Seksaria, a board member of Viksit Amritsar, said the program is part of a broader effort to contribute to the development of Amritsar and surrounding communities.

"Our motto is be part of the solution," Seksaria said.

He said organizers hope representatives from technology companies such as Google and Nvidia will review student research projects at the conclusion of the program.

Seksaria encouraged participants to use their skills to serve their communities.

"Please do remember one thing though, please give back to your city. Amritsar," he said.

Discover more at New India Abroad.