Why colleges should add AI and ML to existing Engineering programs, not replace them

The Hindu

04-07-2025

At many private Engineering Colleges, the number of batches for conventional B.E. or B. Tech programs such as Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, and Civil Engineering are being shut down. As an alternative, several batches in B.E in AI and Data Science, and B.E in AI and Machine learning programs are introduced. Private colleges could be closing these programmes due to reduced demand. New programs in AI are also meant to secure better capitation fees for these institutes.
Instead of this approach of closing entire programs, students need to be encouraged to take three or four courses on AI, ML, natural language processing, and databases in every branch of conventional Engineering. The Computer Science and Engineering program should be strengthened by specialisation in AI, DS, and ML. B.Tech (CSE). An honours degree can be offered with additional courses in AI, ML, and DS. Students should be well educated in AI fundamentals, going beyond merely using ML code.
Some institutes that ran a single batch of the conventional Engineering courses have discontinued the programme. As a result, several faculty members from Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering departments at such institutes could be asked to resign.
Department closures
In the report submitted by AICTE on approved institutions with progressive closed courses for the academic year 2021-2022, 387 departments of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electronics, and Instrumentation have been closed for the admission of first-year students.
Similarly, for 2020-2021, 639 departments closed, and for 2019-2020, 661 departments closed for the admission of first-year students. From 2016 to 2019, 950 departments were closed. From 2013 to 2016, 1003 departments were closed. Within the subsequent two years, all the faculty in these 3640 departments could be asked to resign.
The impact
The closures of such conventional Engineering programs can affect the industrial and human resource growth of our country. It will also be tough for these experienced faculty members to survive without jobs.
If an Engineering program admits no students in the first year, it won't have students for the program in subsequent years till the final year. Hence, the department could be closed. Faculty could be asked to leave the college accordingly. This has already started. The faculty-to-student ratio is fixed. Hence, faculty members are asked to leave year-wise.
The country requires capable Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Civil Engineers, Chemical Engineers, and Computer Science Engineers for its industrial growth. Hence, it is not a good idea to discontinue these programmes. It is not necessary to introduce new and exclusive programmes on AI and Machine learning; they can be offered as modules in existing conventional programmes.
One of the key components of the technical education system in India is that it comprises of large number of private Engineering institutions, about 6000 spread over various parts of the country, with around 20 lakhs students, and about six lakhs faculty members.
It is to be noted that at IITs and NITs, the conventional Engineering programs are continued to be offered. Self-financing colleges can not decide to drop all the basic courses. They offer mainly basic Engineering courses that are needed for the growth of the country. It is requested that AICTE and the Ministry of Higher Education guarantee that the conventional Engineering programs will continue to be taught in the private engineering colleges.