Regular Faculty Development Programs on AI tools, LMS platforms, cloud technologies (Azure, AWS), data analytics, and digital pedagogy are happening in BBDU. In an exclusive interaction, Prof (Dr) Satish Chander Sharma, Pro Vice Chancellor, Babu Banarasi Das University (BBDU), Lucknow, explains to APAC Media & CXO Media, how the university follows a clear top-down digital roadmap aligned with NEP-2020 and Industry 4.0 that is communicated through policy documents, academic councils, and review meetings.
What sort of key digital initiatives are currently being undertaken at Babu Banarasi Das University (BBDU)?
BBDU supports IT-enabled smart classrooms, digital learning tools, and high-bandwidth campus connectivity to facilitate blended and interactive learning experiences. This includes access to digital libraries and online academic resources.
The university has enhanced its research infrastructure with:
- Increased internet bandwidth (1 Gbps)
- Open-source software and tools for AI and computing research
- Web-based plagiarism checking (e.g., ‘Ouriginal’)
- E-resources and electronic journals
These initiatives help students and faculty conduct digital research and publish work in cutting-edge areas.
Through workshops, seminars, and technical clubs, BBDU promotes hands-on skill building in areas like app development, IoT, and other digital technologies (e.g., Android app workshops and IoT sessions in engineering departments).
How do you inculcate the digitisation initiatives among all the stakeholders in the academic ecosystem?
- Leadership-Driven Digital Vision
A clear top-down digital roadmap aligned with NEP-2020 and Industry 4.0 is communicated through policy documents, academic councils, and review meetings.
Digitisation is embedded into teaching, research, governance, and outreach, ensuring institution-wide adoption rather than isolated efforts.
- Faculty Empowerment & Capacity Building
Regular Faculty Development Programs (FDPs) on AI tools, LMS platforms, cloud technologies (Azure, AWS), data analytics, and digital pedagogy.
Encouragement and support for technology-enabled teaching, blended learning, MOOCs, and flipped classrooms.
Faculty incentives for digital content creation, research using digital tools, and interdisciplinary innovation.
- Student-Centric Digital Engagement
Early exposure to coding, AI, data science, IoT, and emerging technologies through curriculum, labs, hackathons, and technical clubs.
Active student participation via the IEEE Student Branch, innovation forums, research centres, and incubation activities.
Integration of project-based and experiential learning using digital platforms and tools.
- Smart Teaching–Learning Infrastructure
Deployment of smart classrooms, digital laboratories, high-speed campus connectivity, and licensed/open-source software.
Access to e-libraries, e-journals, plagiarism detection tools, and research databases to promote digital scholarship.
- Digital Governance & Administrative Processes
Adoption of ERP-based academic and administrative systems for admissions, attendance, assessments, examinations, finance, and HR.
Online grievance redressal, feedback systems, and data-driven decision-making to ensure transparency and efficiency.
- Industry & Ecosystem Collaboration
Strategic partnerships with IBM, ICT Academy, startups, and technology leaders to bring real-world digital exposure.
Industry-led workshops, certifications, internships, and live projects to align academic outcomes with digital workforce needs.
- Research & Innovation Enablement
Strengthening of AI Research Centre and Centres of Excellence with digital tools, datasets, and collaborative platforms.
Support for interdisciplinary digital research, patents, startups, and funded projects.
Encouraging publication, collaboration, and global engagement through digital research ecosystems.
- Continuous Sensitisation & Culture Building
Regular seminars, expert talks, digital literacy drives, and awareness programs for all stakeholders.
Recognition of digital champions among faculty, students, and staff to reinforce adoption and motivation.
- Feedback, Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
Stakeholder feedback collected through digital platforms to assess effectiveness.
Periodic review of digital initiatives to ensure relevance, scalability, and sustainability.Â
How are the different collaborations with different industry companies, like Truescholar and other,s working for BBDU?
Digital Credentialing & TruScholar Partnership
TruScholar is a blockchain-powered digital credential platform that enables institutions to issue secure, tamper-proof digital certificates, badges, and marksheets. Its adoption aligns with NEP-2020’s digital credentialing goals and improves operational efficiency.
How this collaboration benefits BBDU:
✅ Secure & Verifiable Credentials: Digital certificates issued through TruScholar are blockchain-secured and instantly verifiable by employers and other institutions—reducing fraud and administrative load.
✅ Global Recognition: Students can share verifiable credentials globally (e.g., on LinkedIn or with overseas universities/employers), enhancing employability and academic mobility.
✅ Compliance with National Frameworks: Helps BBDU stay compliant with digital credential standards like NAD and ABC under NEP-2020, potentially strengthening accreditation outcomes.
✅ Streamlined Certification Process: Reduces manual paperwork and turnaround time for issuing diplomas, certificates, workshop badges, and other academic records.
Overall impact: This collaboration bolsters BBDU’s digital transformation agenda, enhances stakeholder trust in issued credentials, and supports both academic and placement processes.
How are BBDU’s industry tie-ups for skill development and employability?
BBDU has extensive industry collaborations focused on training, internships, live projects, and placements. These include major IT, consulting, and corporate partners such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro, IBM, HCL, Tech Mahindra, and others.
How these work:
Curriculum Alignment: Partner companies contribute insights on industry needs, helping shape curriculum and elective modules to be industry-relevant.
Internships & Practical Exposure: Students get internships, industrial visits, and on-the-job training through these networks.
Guest Lectures & Mentorship: Leaders from partner firms regularly deliver talks, workshops, and mentoring sessions.
BBDU | Shaping Generations
Global Academic Partnerships
BBDU’s international collaborations with universities in the UK, USA, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, Sweden, and South Africa help in academic mobility and knowledge exchange.
Key features:
- Semester Abroad/Summer Programs
- Student and Faculty Exchange
- Joint Projects and Research Exposure
These build students’ global perspectives and research strengths.
Research & Institutional Collaboration
BBDU also collaborates with research institutes like CSIR labs and similar bodies supporting interdisciplinary research, innovation, and faculty development.
Benefits include:
- Shared research infrastructure and datasets.
- Enhanced opportunities for funded research projects.
- Broader publication and patent outcomes.
How is BBDU emerging as a hub of AI and other new-gen technologies?
BBDU is emerging as a hub of AI and new-generation technologies through a focused, outcome-oriented approach:
- Dedicated AI Research Centre & Centres of Excellence supporting research, innovation, and interdisciplinary projects.
- Industry-aligned programs in AI, Data Science, ML, IoT, Cloud Computing, and Robotics.
- Strong industry collaborations (IBM, ICT Academy, TruScholar, etc.) for training, certifications, internships, and placements.
- Smart digital infrastructure, including AI labs, high-speed connectivity, smart classrooms, and e-resources.
- Active innovation culture via IEEE Student Branch, hackathons, FDPs, seminars, and funded projects.
Together, these initiatives position BBDU as a future-ready ecosystem for AI and emerging technologies.
How is BBDU focusing more on experiential learning?
BBDU emphasises experiential learning by embedding real-world practice, hands-on exposure, and industry engagement throughout the academic experience. Key approaches include:
- Project-Based Learning
Students work on live projects, industry problems, and real case studies as part of coursework and capstone assignments, not just theory.
- Innovation & Technical Clubs
Active student bodies like IEEE Student Branch and innovation clubs organise hackathons, coding challenges, and tech talks that encourage creation, collaboration, and problem-solving.
- AI & Emerging Tech Labs
Specialised labs for AI, machine learning, IoT, robotics, and cloud computing provide practical environments where students experiment with tools, sensors, and real datasets.
- Industry Internships & Live Exposure
Structured internships, industrial visits, and guest lectures with corporate partners give students first-hand insight into organizational workflows and technologies.
- Research & Competitions
Students participate in research projects, publications, and national/international competitions, gaining experience in inquiry, experimentation, and presentation.
- Collaborative Workshops
Frequent industry-led workshops and training sessions introduce students to cutting-edge tools, frameworks, and processes beyond the classroom syllabus.
- Incubation & Entrepreneurship Support
Through innovation cells and incubation platforms, students can prototype ideas, launch startups, and access mentorship and seed support.
- Interdisciplinary Activities
Projects and events often cut across disciplines (engineering, management, design), helping students apply learning in diverse contexts.
How are you ensuring enhanced collaboration with the industry to improve the quantum of student placement?
BBDU ensures enhanced industry collaboration to improve student placements through a structured, outcome-driven approach:
- Strategic MoUs with leading companies for internships, live projects, certifications, and recruitment pipelines.
- Industry-aligned curriculum with inputs from corporate experts to match current skill demands.
- Regular industry interactions through guest lectures, workshops, FDPs, and mentorship programs.
- Mandatory internships and project-based learning to build job-ready skills.
- Skill development and certification programs in AI, data science, cloud, and emerging technologies.
- Active Training & Placement Cell that works year-round with recruiters and tracks employability outcomes.
This ecosystem ensures students are industry-ready, leading to higher placement numbers and better-quality offers.
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