UPES AI-First’ University Focus on Telangana Students

Hyderabad, April 2026: UPES Dehradun, a leading multidisciplinary and research university in India, today detailed its transition into an ‘AI-First’ university at an event in Hyderabad. UPES elaborated on its vision as the ‘University of Tomorrow’ built around AI integration, deep industry collaboration, research strength and career outcomes in every student’s learning journey.

Additionally, UPES presented how advances in artificial intelligence, changing hiring patterns and rising demand for technology-led education are reshaping what students now expect from higher education.In a landmark first for Indian higher education, UPES has deployed ChatGPT Edu across its entire campus in collaboration with OpenAI.

This integration provides governed and free access to advanced AI tools for all 19100+ students and 1500+ faculty members, embedding AI literacy as a default foundation across all disciplines, designed to elevate outcomes across teaching, learning, research and student experience. This means working natively within the same AI environment that is reshaping the global industry from day one of their degree. This represents a transformational shift in the way higher education is delivered across the country.

This academic shift comes at a time when technology education demand is surging even as workforce disruption is accelerating. In Telangana, in the TG EAPCET 2025, Computer Science and IT-related courses recorded a 91% seat allotment (59,819 seats), the highest across disciplines, driven by growing interest in areas such as AI, IoT and cybersecurity. In 2025–26 alone, the state offered more than 12,000 seats in AI & ML and over 26,000 seats in Computer Science and Engineering, underlining the scale of demand for future-facing technology education.

Yet demand without quality outcomes is insufficient. Dr. Jayasankar Variyar, Pro Vice-Chancellor, UPES, said: “The future of education requires not just updated curricula, but a fundamental shift in how students engage with technology, industry, and problem-solving. We are purposefully architecting an institution where AI is woven into the fabric of every student's journey. 

Mr. Rajiv Nandwani, Senior Director, School of Computer Science, UPES, said: “Students today are increasingly focused on the tangible outcomes of their higher education choices. They are drawn to programs that seamlessly blend strong academic depth with real-world relevance, particularly in areas such as AI, data science, cybersecurity, and emerging technology-led business domains.