32 AI-enabled smart classrooms in higher education institutions

Bhubaneswar: Adding to its digital transformation initiatives in education, the state govt has decided to set up 32 AI-enabled smart classrooms across 16 higher education institutions (HEIs) in Odisha under Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA).For this purpose, the higher education department has identified degree colleges in Angul, Balangir, Boudh, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, Hindol, Nayagarh, Puri, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Nabarangpur.In Bhubaneswar, two such classrooms will come up in Ekamra College and in Cuttack, Jawaharlal Nehru College will get an AI-enabled smart classroom. The highest number of six classrooms will come up in Kantabanji Vocational College at Balangir.The department on Tuesday invited bids for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of smart classrooms through a turnkey approach. The initiative aims at strengthening educational infrastructure and improving teaching-learning outcomes by integrating advanced technologies into classrooms.Officials said the AI-enabled smart classrooms will be equipped with modern ICT-based teaching tools, interactive learning solutions and AI-powered content platforms to facilitate enhanced classroom engagement and personalised learning experiences. They added that the initiative is part of the state govt’s broader efforts to modernise higher education institutions and align them with emerging technological advancements.Earlier this year, the school and mass education department had decided to set up AI-powered virtual classrooms and digital assessment systems in 5,370 govt and govt-aided schools. These virtual classrooms are aimed at helping students gain conceptual clarity by engaging them in AI and digital content.