Chipmaker AMD has entered into a strategic partnership with the University of Delhi (DU) to provide specialized training in artificial intelligence and semiconductor technologies. The initiative, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to upskill approximately 10,000 students over the next year. By integrating industry-standard tools into the academic curriculum, the collaboration seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical classroom learning and the practical requirements of the rapidly evolving technology sector.
The program is designed to equip both students and faculty with hands-on experience using advanced computing platforms. Participants will gain access to AMD’s open-source ROCm AI software platform, which includes essential libraries, compilers, and developer tools. Additionally, the initiative provides cloud-based GPU credits, enabling learners to build, test, and deploy AI applications in a real-world environment. This effort is intended to strengthen the pipeline of skilled AI developers and researchers within India by providing early exposure to industry-grade infrastructure.
Expanding Access to AI Infrastructure
The partnership centers on the introduction of AMD’s AI Engage Developer Program at the university. This program is structured to provide students with the technical proficiency required for modern AI development. By offering access to high-performance computing resources, the initiative aims to ensure that students are not limited by the availability of hardware or software tools. The inclusion of cloud-based GPU credits is a critical component, allowing students to run complex models that would otherwise be inaccessible in a standard academic setting.
Jaya Jagadish, Country Head and Senior Vice President of Engineering at AMD India, highlighted the strategic importance of this initiative. She stated that India possesses both the talent and the ambition required to play a significant role in the next phase of AI innovation. According to Jagadish, the collaboration is aimed at helping students move beyond theoretical learning and develop the ability to create practical AI solutions. By combining academic knowledge with hands-on experience, the program seeks to prepare learners for the changing requirements of the technology sector.
Academic and Industry Synergy
Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Professor Yogesh Singh emphasized that the collaboration reflects a growing alignment between industry needs and academic curricula. He noted that providing students with access to modern AI computing platforms alongside their traditional studies is essential for building a robust pipeline of skilled professionals. The university views this partnership as a vital step in ensuring that graduates are prepared for the demands of the global technology workforce.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to foster innovation within the Indian education system. By leveraging AMD’s technical expertise, the university aims to enhance the quality of its technical education. The program is expected to benefit thousands of students, providing them with a competitive edge in fields such as artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and semiconductor design. The focus remains on creating a sustainable model for industry-academia collaboration that can be scaled to meet future technological challenges.
Sovereign Infrastructure and Open Models
In a related development, Bodhan AI, a Centre of Excellence in AI for Education incubated at IIT-Madras and funded by the union education ministry, has launched four foundational AI models for Indian languages. These models, developed in partnership with AI4Bharat, are being released as digital public goods to support the Bharat EduAI Stack. The initiative aims to build a sovereign technology layer for India's multilingual education ecosystem, reducing the need for individual institutions to duplicate foundational AI research.
The models cover automatic speech recognition (ASR), optical character recognition (OCR), machine translation (MT), and text-to-speech (TTS). The ASR model supports 27 languages, while the OCR and TTS models cover 23 languages each. Bodhan-Translate, the machine translation model, supports 22 Indian languages. These models are designed to serve as foundational building blocks for edtech companies, startups, and government partners. IIT Madras director Professor V Kamakoti stated that the launch of these voice and vision models is an important step towards creating sovereign digital public infrastructure for AI in education that can serve linguistic diversity and enable innovation at scale.
Practical Applications in the Classroom
Beyond foundational models, Bodhan AI is deploying specific tools for students and teachers. The student tutor bot, designed for classes 6-12, is built around NCERT and SCERT curricula. It allows students to interact through text or voice in 22 Indian languages, providing explanations and assessments. The system includes a digital canvas for diagrams and calculations, guiding students through complex problems. This interactive approach is intended to make learning more accessible and engaging for students across diverse regions.
The teacher assistant bot serves as an AI workspace for educators to plan, create, and assess classroom work. Teachers can generate lesson plans, worksheets, and quizzes tailored to specific subjects and difficulty levels. Bodhan AI emphasized that all AI-generated material remains subject to teacher review, ensuring that educators retain control over classroom decisions. This human-in-the-loop approach is designed to enhance teaching efficiency while maintaining pedagogical standards. The organization aims to build with the ecosystem rather than compete with it, providing a common layer that powers education AI applications without requiring redundant development work.
