1234 Kolkata: It was a day marked with insights, observation and discussion at the Times NIE Teachers' Meet on Nov 22. The programme, held in association with RCC Institute of Information Technology (RCCIIT) saw the participation of over 150 teachers from different schools across the city.
The theme of the event was ‘AI Capacity Building Program for Schools: Empowering Students with Future Skills'. The initiative was conceptualized by RCCIIT as a social impact project funded by the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY), govt. of India.
Recognizing the transformative potential of AI and its impact on various sectors, this project aims to lay a foundation for AI education at the school level, aligning with the recommendation of NEP and MeitY. It proposes to create a collaborative ecosystem thereby equipping school students and educators with foundational AI skills for the future.
Anirban Mukherjee, principal, RCCIIT explained how the project plans to train the school teachers on AI and educate the students of class VIII to XII through age-appropriate industry-designed curriculum and workshops, bootcamps, projects and Hackathons on AI.
The keynote speech was given by Prof. Amlan Chakraborty, director of A.K Choudhury School of Information Technology, University of Calcutta and an adjunct professor at IIIT Delhi. He appreciated the timely initiative of RCCIIT and highlighted the need for early awareness on responsible use of AI.
On this occasion Tulika Pandey, group coordinator, MeitY, said, "This pioneering initiative by RCCIIT supported by MeitY, govt. of India, exemplifies our national vision of ‘AI for All'. Early AI education is crucial as we prepare our next generation for an AI-driven future. By integrating age-appropriate AI curriculum in schools, we are not just creating tech-savvy students, but nurturing ethical, responsible innovators who will shape India's technological destiny."
Speeches and presentations were followed by a panel discussion on the topic "Is AI education necessary in schools?" The panelists for the day were Arup Chatterjee, ex-director, NIELIT(MeitY), Kolkata & Gangtok, Chandan Maity, headmaster, Krishnachandrapur High School and secretary, ASFHM and Moitreyee Mukherjee, principal, Army Public School, Barrackpore.
The teachers' meet concluded with insights from distinguished speakers, where teachers took back ideas and leads which will help them design the future of the country in a better way.