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Sitharaman Launches AI Labs in Karnataka Schools: A Digital Leap for 2,000 Students

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has launched a new CSR initiative to bring advanced tech education to government schools. The project, called 'VijAIpatha', will set up five AI, STEM, and robotics labs in Karnataka's Hosapete Taluka. It's designed to equip over 2,000 students with future-ready skills and train more than 200 teachers. This effort supports the National Education Policy and aims to foster innovation from the grassroots level.

Key Points: Sitharaman Launches AI and Robotics Labs in Karnataka Govt Schools

  • Five world-class labs equipped with high-performance computers and robotics kits
  • Initiative aligns with National Education Policy 2020 and Viksit Bharat mission
  • Aims to build digital fluency and innovation capacity in rural students
  • Program will train over 200 teachers to support tech-enabled learning
2 min read

Sitharaman launches project to develop AI, STEM & robotics labs in govt schools in Karnataka

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launches CSR project 'VijAIpatha' to establish five AI, STEM, and robotics labs in Karnataka government schools, benefiting over 2,000 students.

"Benefiting over 2,000 students and training 200+ teachers, VijAIpatha is a scalable CSR model fostering innovation, career readiness, and digital empowerment at the grassroots level. – Nirmala Sitharaman's Office"

New Delhi, Dec 20

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday launched a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project to develop five Artificial Intelligence, STEM, and robotics labs in government schools in Karnataka.

The Minister launched Cyient AI Labs (CyAILS) -- ‘VijAIpatha’, a CSR-led national initiative to democratise access to Artificial Intelligence, STEM, and robotics education in government schools of Hosapete Taluka in Hampi, Karnataka.

“Under the pilot, five world-class AI, STEM, and robotics labs are being established in government schools,” Nirmala Sitharaman’s Office shared in a post on the social media platform X.

“Each lab will be equipped with high-performance computers, AI-ready software, robotics kits, IoT devices, sensors, and secure broadband connectivity,” the post added.

The VijAIpatha programme is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Digital India, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mission of Viksit Bharat 2047. It integrates CBSE’s AI curriculum and also aims to strengthen technology-enabled learning in public education.

Focused on rural and semi-urban India, the initiative introduces future technologies at the school level, building early digital fluency, computational thinking, and innovation capacity among students.

The project also fosters clarity in early digital knowledge among students, as well as the ability to think and innovate in solving complex problems. VijAIpatha will benefit more than 2,000 students and provide training to more than 200 teachers,

“Benefiting over 2,000 students and training 200+ teachers, VijAIpatha is a scalable CSR model fostering innovation, career readiness, and digital empowerment at the grassroots level,” said the post by Nirmala Sitharaman’s Office.

VijAIpatha can also be implemented in various districts and states in collaboration with the Education Department, and it will be recognised as a model CSR project for the national-level expansion of artificial intelligence education.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Wonderful news! As a teacher from a semi-urban area, I've seen firsthand how lack of resources holds back brilliant students. Training 200+ teachers is crucial for sustainability. Hope this model is replicated across all states soon. The focus on NEP 2020 alignment is spot on.
R
Rohit P
Good step, but only five labs? Karnataka has thousands of government schools. While I appreciate the pilot, the scale needs to be much larger to make a real nationwide impact. Hope the 'scalable model' promise is acted upon quickly and doesn't remain just a pilot project for years.
S
Sarah B
Integrating CBSE's AI curriculum into these labs is a smart move. It connects directly to what students are supposed to learn. Building computational thinking from a young age in rural India is key for Viksit Bharat 2047. The focus on Hampi area is interesting - promoting tech in our heritage regions.
K
Karthik V
The equipment list sounds impressive - high-performance computers, IoT devices, sensors. The real challenge will be maintenance and consistent broadband connectivity in rural areas. Hope there's a solid plan for that. If executed well, this can truly democratize tech education. 🤞
M
Michael C
Benefiting 2000 students is a great start. The teacher training component is vital - you can have the best labs, but without skilled teachers, it's just hardware collecting dust. Hope they create a train-the-trainer model that can spread knowledge rapidly. More CSR funds should flow into education like this.

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