Pune: Over 300 vice chancellors of universities from across India called for a shift to AI-driven learning, stronger school outreach for disadvantaged students and a redesign of universities beyond classroom teaching at a national meet in Pune on Tuesday.The three-day conference of the Association of Indian Universities at Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth focuses on how institutions can move from information delivery to building skills like critical thinking, problem solving and innovation in students.Addressing the gathering, Maharashtra governor Jishnu Dev Varma said, “Universities must prepare students to become creators of opportunities and not just job seekers. Research and innovation will be the key to India’s growth. Development should be judged by how well it reaches the last person.”A major focus area is improving access to higher education. The governor highlighted the need to expand outreach programmes for students from economically weaker sections, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to help India achieve a 50% gross enrolment ratio. Vice-chancellors echoed this, stating that universities must actively connect with schools and first-generation learners.Another key theme is the idea of an AI native university, where learning systems, evaluation and research are redesigned using technology. Participants said that with knowledge now easily accessible, universities must shift towards application-based and interdisciplinary learning.Chancellor PD Patil said, “Education plays a defining role in shaping the future of our nation. Universities must go beyond imparting knowledge to nurturing values, responsibility and a sense of purpose among students. Institutions have a larger role in developing individuals who are ethically grounded, socially aware and prepared to contribute meaningfully to society.”The meet will also deliberate on international collaborations, sustainability, entrepreneurship and integration of traditional knowledge into modern education systems. A dedicated health session will examine the role of universities in equitable healthcare.During the session, the governor released the special issue of university news — the book Association of Indian Universities: A Century of Evolution, Transformation and Leadership and Transformative Higher Education@2047.The release of these publications added significance to the centenary gathering, which marks an important phase in the Association of Indian Universities’ long role in shaping India’s higher education system. The inaugural session was attended by professor Vinay Kumar Pathak, president of the Association of Indian Universities and vice-chancellor of CSJM University in Kanpur, among others.Students attending parallel sessions said the discussions reflect gaps they experience daily. “We use AI tools, but exams still test memory. That needs to change,” said an engineering student.A management student said exposure to entrepreneurship and global linkages could expand career options beyond placements.
