Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the ‘ VijAIpatha ‘ initiative in Hampi, Karnataka, on Saturday. The program establishes Artificial Intelligence (AI), STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), and Robotics laboratories in government schools. Its goal is to provide technology education to students.
Pilot Phase Implementation
The pilot phase includes the establishment of five dedicated AI, STEM, and Robotics laboratories. These labs are situated in government schools within the Hosapete taluk . The minister’s office shared images of the launch, which took place at a girls’ government school.
Each laboratory receives specific equipment. This includes high-performance computers and AI-ready software. Robotics kits are provided for practical learning. Internet of Things (IoT) devices and sensors are also part of the setup. All labs feature secure broadband connectivity.
Program Objectives and Reach
The ‘VijAIpatha’ program aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) . It also supports the Digital India initiative. The program integrates the CBSE’s AI curriculum . It strengthens technology-enabled learning within public education.
The initiative primarily targets rural and semi-urban regions of India. It introduces future technologies to students at the school level. This approach aims to build early digital fluency. It also develops computational thinking and innovation capacity among students.
Beneficiaries and Training
The ‘VijAIpatha’ program will benefit over 2,000 students . It will also provide training for more than 200 teachers . The program focuses on fostering innovation and preparing students for future careers. It also promotes digital empowerment at the grassroots level.
Scalability and Future Plans
The initiative is designed as a scalable, replicable, and sustainable model. It can be adopted across various districts and states. This adoption would occur in collaboration with government education departments. The program serves as a benchmark for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) models. It aims to support a national rollout of AI education.