Education Technology | Innovations and Insights - Edinbox

In a significant push toward industry-focused digital education, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur has launched four online executive programmes centred on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and technology leadership. The initiative, introduced as part of the institute’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, marks its first major step into structured online executive education tailored for working professionals.

The newly introduced programmes include executive postgraduate certificate courses in Generative AI and Agentic AI, AI-Native Software Engineering, and Applied AI and Machine Learning, along with an Executive Programme in Technology and AI Leadership. These courses are being offered by leading academic units within the institute, including the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, the Department of AI, and the Partha Ghosh School of Leadership.

According to the institute, the programmes have been designed with a strong emphasis on practical, real-world applications rather than purely theoretical learning. Key focus areas include large language models (LLMs), generative AI systems, and agent-based technologies—domains that are rapidly transforming industries worldwide. The curriculum aims to equip professionals with the skills needed for system design, deployment, and innovation in AI-driven environments.

All programmes will be delivered in a live online format by IIT Kharagpur faculty, enabling participants to access high-quality academic content remotely while continuing their professional commitments. The courses are targeted at software engineers, machine learning practitioners, and professionals in technology and business roles who have prior experience in digital systems.

Application Process Simplified

Interested candidates can apply through the institute’s official online programmes portal. The process begins with selecting a preferred course and registering using a valid email ID. Applicants are required to provide details of their academic background and work experience. Following submission, applications will be reviewed by faculty or programme teams, and shortlisted candidates will be notified via email.

Selected applicants must then confirm their admission by paying a seat-blocking fee, followed by document verification and payment of the remaining course fee within the stipulated timeline.

The institute has indicated that these programmes are part of a broader roadmap, with more online offerings expected to be rolled out in phases over the coming months. With this initiative, IIT Kharagpur aims to bridge the gap between academic research and industry demands, strengthening India’s position in the rapidly evolving AI ecosystem.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on April 14 announced the launch of two quantum computing test beds in Amaravati, marking a significant step in India’s emerging quantum technology landscape. Calling it a historic milestone achieved on World Quantum Day, Naidu said the initiative positions the state at the forefront of next-generation computing infrastructure.

The two facilities—set up at SRM University Amaravati and Medha Towers in Gannavaram—are part of the ambitious Amaravati Quantum Valley project. These test beds are designed to support the testing and validation of quantum hardware, a domain where India currently has limited infrastructure and capabilities. According to the Chief Minister, the newly launched 1S and 1Q systems will play a crucial role in testing, benchmarking, and certifying quantum devices.

“It is a matter of great pride that this Telugu land, which has already made a mark in the IT sector, is now emerging as a hub for quantum technologies,” Naidu said, underlining the state’s ambition to lead in advanced computing.

The two test beds have been developed with distinct functions. The 1Q system, built by QBit Force and located at Medha Towers, is focused on testing and measuring quantum components. Meanwhile, the 1S system at SRM University Amaravati is based on superconducting technology and operates at extremely low temperatures, close to -273°C, a requirement for maintaining quantum states. Both setups are modular in design, allowing components to be easily replaced or upgraded, thereby enabling continuous experimentation and innovation.

A notable feature of the Amaravati initiative is its open-access model. Unlike many quantum laboratories that remain restricted, the facility at SRM University will be accessible to researchers, students, startups, and industry players. This move is expected to foster collaboration and accelerate the development of indigenous quantum technologies.

The project has been built with significant domestic support. Andhra Pradesh State Quantum Mission director CV Sridhar noted that the systems incorporate components developed within India, with contributions from premier institutions such as the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, the Indian Institute of Science, and the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

The state government envisions the Amaravati Quantum Valley as the foundation of a broader ecosystem that integrates research, startups, and industry partnerships. By investing early in quantum infrastructure, Andhra Pradesh aims to position itself as a national hub for cutting-edge technological innovation, potentially shaping the future of computing in India.

Could vast rivers of molten rock still be flowing beneath the surface of Venus? A fresh analysis of decades-old radar data from the Magellan mission suggests the answer may be more intriguing than scientists once imagined.

Researchers from the University of Trento have identified what appears to be a huge subsurface lava tube beneath Nyx Mons, a massive shield volcano on Venus’s western hemisphere. The findings, published in the February 2026 issue of Nature Communications, mark the first radar-based detection of such a structure on the planet.

The scale of the tunnel is staggering. Scientists estimate the underground conduit to be nearly 1,000 meters wide, with a roof about 150 meters thick and a central chamber rising roughly 375 meters high—far surpassing anything found on Earth. By comparison, one of Earth’s largest lava tubes in Lanzarote measures just 28 meters across.

The discovery hinges on a feature known as a “skylight”—a collapse in the roof of a lava tube. Radar signals entering this opening behave differently from those hitting solid ground. In this case, scientists observed a “missing signal” pattern, indicating the radar wave likely entered a hollow cavity before re-emerging, a strong signature of an underground void.

One such feature, dubbed “pit A,” stood out in radar imagery due to a bright streak extending beyond its rim—evidence of this unusual signal behavior. The radar was able to trace the tunnel for about 300 meters before losing contact. By mapping surrounding collapse pits and terrain, researchers estimate the entire lava tube system could stretch up to 45 kilometers.

Even more compelling is the possibility that large sections—around 13 kilometers—remain intact and unexplored. Venus’s unique conditions, including lower gravity and a dense atmosphere, allow lava to stay molten longer, forming a huge underpass beneath a hardened crust in a process known as over-crusting. This enables the creation of lava tubes on a scale far exceeding those on Earth or the Moon.

Scientists ruled out other explanations, such as impact craters or tectonic voids, as these would produce different radar signatures. Instead, the data closely matches known lava tube formations on Earth.

Future missions like VERITAS and EnVision are expected to investigate further. Equipped with advanced subsurface radar, these missions could reveal even more hidden structures beneath Venus’s harsh, cloud-covered surface.

The discovery not only reshapes our understanding of Venusian geology but also raises a fascinating possibility: these massive underground tunnels might one day serve as shelters for robotic—or even human—exploration in one of the solar system’s most extreme environments.

The story of education began with oral traditions in ancient India's gurukul system. Plus, it moved to printed books after the Industrial Revolution. Now, digital learning ecosystems dominate. Artificial Intelligence has caused the most disruptive shift yet. Educators face a key question: can technology support learning without reducing human creativity?

Learning was once experiential and human-centered. In texts like the ramayana and mahabharata, teaching happened through dialogue, practice, and observation. Gurus such as Vasistha and Dronacharya trained students in knowledge, ethics, and real-world decisions. Assessment wasn't graded on paper, it was based on performance and action.

Today's education focuses more on content and technology. Generative AI can write essays, analyze data, even simulate thinking. Students now have powerful tools for efficiency and access. But this creates a paradox: how do we use AI without letting it take over thought? There's no easy answer yet.

The answer isn't about limiting AI, it's about changing how we use it. We must stop measuring what machines do well - like recalling facts, doing math, or churning out standard content, and start focusing on what only humans can bring: creativity, innovation, emotional intelligence, and real-world doing.

Picture classes where students launch actual products on campus, run retail stores, or tackle live business problems. AI helps with data, forecasts, and designs - The real test is how students make choices, talk to people, and react in the moment. The core of evaluation stays human-led.

The thing is, the national Education Policy 2020 wants students to learn by doing, not just memorizing facts. It pushes for important thinking and skills that span subjects - stuff like problem-solving and adaptability. In a world where AI is taking over office jobs, companies want people who can build new things, guide teams, and drive change.

People also need to get better at reading others and handling emotions. Machines can spot trends, but they don't feel what humans feel or sense when a team is low on morale. That kind of awareness? It's what leads to real leadership.

Education has to shift at least in theory. We're not training grads to pack brains with facts anymore. Now, we're shaping future leaders - people who use AI as a helper, not a shortcut. As tech keeps changing fast, the edge won't be in machine power. It'll be in human creativity and action.

Right now, schools should focus on hands-on learning, real-world challenges, and change, and use AI to support human ability instead of stepping into its place.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has outlined a forward-looking roadmap for India’s education system, combining curriculum reform, technology integration, and expansion of quality access. A key announcement includes the revision of a controversial NCERT textbook chapter on the judiciary, to be overseen by a committee led by former Supreme Court judge Indu Malhotra.

The UGC rules that recently inspired talk about standards and equity in higher ed? Pradhan says those are still under legal review. He doesn't commit to changes or push back - just notes the government will follow court orders if needed. Fairness and no discrimination remain core principles, even as policy moves slowly through the system.

India's education system now has to get through both public scrutiny and legal oversight, two forces that don't always play well together. The new committee will handle edits to a chapter many see as contentious - Mainly when it comes to how judges are portrayed. A lot of people want clarity on what's taught and why.

Beyond immediate policy issues, the minister highlighted the scale and responsibility of India’s education system, which caters to nearly 30 crore students. He stressed the need to strengthen infrastructure, expand access to quality learning resources, and build robust research ecosystems to support this vast student base.

The key feature of the roadmap is the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Pradhan said that AI will not only be introduced as a subject but as a means to improve the quality of learning thus giving a clear message that education will become more technology-based. He explained that the objective is to equip students with skills that will make them capable of facing various challenges in the world which is becoming more digitized and automated.

The minister also reflected on India's expanding participation in the global academic community, emphasising that there has been a great increase in the number of Indian universities listed in the QS world rankings from 54 before 2014 to about 290 now. He gave this credit to the ongoing reforms and focus of policies in higher education.

The roadmap as a whole indicates a two-pronged approach: on the one hand, revising the original elements such as the curriculum; on the other hand, implementation of emerging technologies. As India deals with both hereditary problems and prepares for future needs, it seems that the aim is to build an education system which is not only inclusive and credible but also globally competitive and technologically aligned.

Nearly three years after a prior effort stalled, Savitribai Phule Pune University is from now on with scanning answer sheets and on-screen grading. The change aims to cut down re-evaluation waits that have grown too long. Students now see a clearer path through the process. There's less room for delays in results. The university says this shift will bring faster feedback. But it also means evaluations are easier to track. No more waiting months for corrections.

The answer sheets will be first scanned right after the exams and then saved on a secure cloud-based platform under the new system. Students who want to get copies of their answer scripts can do so by simply accessing them digitally, the physical time-consuming processes will be done away with. University officials reckon that this measure will go a long way towards reducing the problem of re-evaluation delays, which students and Senate members have raised as a concern time and time again.

Among other things, the revamp envisages the introduction of on-screen evaluation in a gradual manner. Examiners will use computers to look at digitised answer sheets instead of dealing with the paper copies. University officials say that the discussions have been held in the first place and test projects will be implemented in a few departments with the intention of eventually expanding the program to all faculties. It is anticipated that this measure will lead to more efficient evaluation procedures and lessen reliance on the relatively small number of faculty members, especially since more colleges that are affiliated are becoming autonomous.

The University Senate's 2025, 26 budget meeting showed clear signs of urgency. Academic delays hurt student outcomes. Officials said the number of evaluators is shrinking fast. That's created serious bottlenecks. Technology solutions are now a must for speed and reach.

But digital efforts exposed access problems. Compliance with UGC rules was questioned. The guidelines require accessibility audits for differently-abled users. And the university admits it hasn't done a full audit yet. And it doesn't have a single database tracking disabled students or staff across campuses.

A new website launched in 2023 is being tested now. It's being checked for real-world use and ease of access. If it passes, it'll act as the main hub for students, faculty, and partner colleges.

Senate members were frustrated by how slow reforms moved. They rejected the administration's responses. Suresh Gosavi, Vice-Chancellor, stepped in and apologized directly to them. Things settled after that.

The digital exam shift at SPPU relies on tech use, but also on fairness and how well it is carried out. Efficiency mustn't block access for students who need it. That balance matters most in practice. The rollout needs to work for everyone equally.