Artificial intelligence, robotics and data science should be included in BTech programmes to draw students to conventional courses, the vice-chairman of the technical education regulator said.

“An engineering institute can mention in the certificate that the student has graduated in mechanical engineering with specialisation in artificial intelligence or robotics. The institutes should offer the new topics as electives,” M.P. Poonia, the vice-chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), said on the sidelines of a conclave on “Impact of disruptive technologies on higher education” on Saturday.

Asked about the increase in number of vacant seats over the past couple of years, Poonia said colleges must revamp their curriculum in keeping with the demands of the job market.

“A student takes admission to a private college paying a huge sum. He hopes to get a job. But the students are remaining unemployed because of programmes that do not include topics potential recruiters are looking for,” Poonia said.

AICTE has identified nine areas — artificial intelligence, Internet of things, machine learning, data science, robotics — for inclusion in BTech programmes.

“This is the requirement of the industry. These days disciplines such as mechanical engineering and electrical engineering cannot be taught without artificial intelligence, machine learning or robotics. So I would advise colleges to make their curriculum industry-ready. They should get teachers who are competent to teach the advanced topics,” Poonia said.