The event marked the formal launch of the Ramaiah Institute of Science and Management and featured the participation of Dr. M. R. Jayaram, Chairman of Gokula Education Foundation (Medical) and Chancellor of RISM, alongside Dr. Havidán Rodríguez, President of the University at Albany, and senior leaders from both institutions.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Gurucharan, Executive Director and Chief Strategic Officer of Gokula Education Foundation (Medical), called for a fundamental transformation in the role of universities. He stressed the need to prepare students for an artificial intelligence-driven world where human judgment, creativity and ethics remain indispensable. He urged educational institutions to ensure that artificial intelligence enhances learning rather than replacing it and advocated for academic programmes focused on interdisciplinary problem-solving and systems thinking that reflect real-world complexities.
A fireside conversation between Dr. Jayaram and Dr. Rodríguez highlighted the global aspirations of the partnership. Dr. Jayaram stated that the new university’s mission is to bridge the gap between industry and academia while moving beyond publication-focused outcomes toward deep science translational research capable of delivering products, processes and meaningful societal solutions.
Dr. Rodríguez emphasised that the collaboration is centred on co-creation rather than replication. He said the initiative seeks to establish a new model of higher education that uses artificial intelligence to augment human capabilities rather than replace them.
The event also featured three focused panel discussions exploring practical pathways for educational and research transformation.
During the session on the future of engineering education, moderated by Prof. Shivakumar Sastry, experts from academia and industry stressed the importance of moving beyond isolated academic disciplines toward outcome-driven and systems-oriented learning. Participants recommended embedded industry capstone projects, long-term learning initiatives, faculty support for innovative teaching methods and greater student involvement in selecting and defining real-world problems.
The panel on artificial intelligence in higher education, titled “The Creative Disruptor,” was led by Prof. C. Pandu Rangan. Panellists agreed that generative artificial intelligence is making routine execution increasingly commoditised while significantly increasing the value of critical thinking, ethical reasoning and process-based assessment. They asserted that institutions must redesign learning frameworks and evaluation systems to develop effective human-artificial intelligence collaboration and advanced cognitive skills.
The discussion on translational research and industry partnerships, moderated by Mr. Venkatesh Valluri, presented case studies demonstrating how industry collaboration and iterative, socially engaged research can accelerate product development and broaden societal impact. Panellists called for greater emphasis on translation and implementation rather than patents alone and urged institutions to equip students and faculty members with innovation capabilities aligned with market needs.
Concluding the event, Prof. B. N. Raghunandan, Chairman of the RISM Task Force, outlined five key priorities for the institution’s future direction. These included adopting systems-based approaches, strengthening social and interpersonal skills, promoting unified multidisciplinary engineering education, ensuring continuous faculty development and advancing translational research.
Reaffirming the institution’s long-term ambition, Dr. Jayaram said that under its Vision 2035 framework, RISM aims to be recognised as a university that prepares a generation not merely for employment opportunities but for shaping the future itself.
The Curtain Raiser underscored a growing commitment among educational leaders to redefine higher education through innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, artificial intelligence integration and research-driven societal impact. The partnership between RISM and the University at Albany signals a significant step toward creating a future-ready academic model designed to meet the evolving demands of industry, technology and society.
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