AI is changing engineering jobs, and colleges are adjusting how they teach. According to Dr Gaurav Sethi, Professor and Dean of the School of Electronics and Electrical Engineering at Lovely Professional University (LPU), a degree on its own is no longer enough.

“Engineering education needs to go beyond theoretical knowledge,” he says. Students, he believes, need regular chances to use what they learn.

What students are learning

Sethi says LPU’s engineering programmes now include artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, the Internet of Things, cybersecurity and data science, with a focus on how these are used in practice.

Hackathons, internships, research-based learning and the university’s tie-ups with technology companies help students apply their classroom knowledge. Students also see how these technologies are used in industry.

Because technology changes so fast, he says, the curriculum has to keep changing too. LPU regularly updates its programmes to cover new areas, and uses live projects, internships and industry links to keep them relevant.

Why hands-on work matters

For Sethi, practical exposure is central to producing capable engineers. Project-based learning, workshops, industrial visits and practical training help students connect classroom ideas to real problems.

These experiences also build problem-solving, teamwork, communication and adaptability, skills employers often say fresh graduates lack. “Regular interaction with industry and exposure to practical applications help students understand workplace expectations,” he says.

Hearing from industry professionals also tells students how workplace needs are changing. To close the gap between what colleges teach and what employers want, Sethi says, academia and industry have to work more closely together.

Where the jobs are heading

Sethi doesn’t see AI simply replacing engineers. He says it is changing existing roles and creating new ones. He sees growing demand in:

• AI and machine learning
• robotics and autonomous systems
• smart manufacturing
• cybersecurity
• renewable energy
• sustainable infrastructure

The engineers who do best, in his view, will pair solid engineering basics with digital skills and knowledge across disciplines. “Engineers will not only use AI but also contribute to designing, managing and innovating with these technologies,” he says.

LPU’s focus areas

Sethi says LPU is concentrating on AI, machine learning, robotics, data science, cybersecurity, IoT and semiconductor technologies. Alongside these, the university is building closer ties with industry, encouraging interdisciplinary research and promoting entrepreneurship by giving students real-world problems to work on.

Through this, he says, LPU wants to produce engineers who can contribute to India’s technology growth.

His advice for students is simple: technical knowledge matters, but so do creativity and the willingness to keep learning throughout a career.