Andhra Pradesh government to introduce programmes in Quantum Technologies and AI in engineering and degree colleges

The State government has decided to introduce minor programmes in Quantum Technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in both engineering and conventional degree colleges from the academic year 2025-26.

An expert committee, constituted by the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) to design and develop a robust curriculum framework for Quantum Computing, Quantum Technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI), in alignment with the National Education Police (NEP), 2020 and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) guidelines, met on Sunday (June 22).

The meeting, headed by APSCHE Chairman K. Madhu Murthy, discussed key aspects of the curriculum design, capacity-building, development of a Quantum Lab and research, innovation and start-ups.

Former Special Secretary, Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ganta Subba Rao, who is also a member of the committee, said quantum technology represents an emerging field poised to revolutionise numerous sectors, from computing and sensing to communication. Its transformative potential necessitates a specialised workforce capable of navigating its complexities and driving its development.

After a thorough round of discussion, it was decided to introduce a Minor Degree in Quantum Technologies (Engineering stream) for 18 credits, a Minor Degree in Artificial Intelligence (Engineering and General streams) for 18 credits and a Minor Degree in Quantum Technologies (General Degree stream) for 16 credit points

The meeting also decided to conduct Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) for 500 faculty in physics, electronics, mathematics and computer science disciplines.

The committee members also proposed to set up Quantum Labs at Andhra University, JNTU-Kakinada, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Sri Venkateswara University, JNTU-Anantapur and Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT)

The expert committee is represented by the Head, Quantum Technology Cell, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, J.B. V. Reddy, as its Chairman and former Special Secretary, Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ganta Subba Rao, Vice-Chancellor (incharge) Acharya Nagarjuna University K. Gangadhar Rao, Professor, Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Andhra University V. Valli Kumari, Academic Consultant, APSCHE Chandra Vishnu Mohan Rao, CAMOST, IIT and IISER Tirupati Arijit Sharma, Emmanuel Subhakar from Department of SCE, MNIT Jaipur, Head of the Quantum Computing, IBM India L. Venkata Subramaniam, Head of the Alliances, Incubation, Research and Innovation, TCS Sridhar C.V., CEO of Efftronics Systems Pvt. Ltd D. Rama Krishna, Principal, APSCHE P. Anil Kumar and Academic Officer, APSCHE G. D. Rajender as members and Academic Officer, APSCHE, G. Srirangam Mathew, as member and Convener.