TLDR: The Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE) is launching a fortnightly dialogue series on higher education challenges, starting July 28. The first session will focus on generative AI’s influence on education and future employment, bringing together experts to discuss curriculum changes and skill development.
The Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE) is set to embark on a significant initiative by launching a new series of high-level dialogues focused on the evolving landscape and critical challenges within the higher education sector. The inaugural session of this fortnightly series is scheduled for July 28, 2025, and will specifically delve into the transformative impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on both education and future employment opportunities.
M.P. Vijayakumar, Vice-Chairman of TANSCHE, highlighted the necessity of these discussions, stating, “A multitude of challenges currently impact the higher education sector, many of which necessitate policy interventions. However, we presently lack a comprehensive compilation of these critical issues.” He further elaborated that these sessions are designed to involve all relevant stakeholders, including academicians, policy analysts, and industry experts from across the country, to deliberate on pressing matters.
The primary objective of the first session is to understand the implications of generative AI on the job market and the emergence of new job roles. Vijayakumar emphasized, “We need to know the impact of generative AI on employment and newer jobs that will emerge. It will help us to bring in changes in the curriculum and give necessary skills to students.” This understanding is crucial for adapting curricula and equipping students with the necessary skills for the future workforce.
Beyond generative AI, the conversation series will cover a broad spectrum of topics concerning higher education. These include the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) shift from a grant-giving body to a regulatory authority, the state of scholarships in higher education, enhancing the employability of graduates, fostering “happy teachers” and “happy classrooms,” developing a robust roadmap for research in higher education, evaluating ranking systems, promoting practical learning, and addressing the dwindling admissions in basic science courses.
A key outcome of each session will be the development of a detailed policy paper based on the discussions. These papers will then be submitted to the Tamil Nadu government, serving as a guide for future policy formulation and action in the higher education domain.
The expert panel confirmed for the opening session includes prominent figures such as Lakshmi Narayanan, Managing Trustee of Chennai Mathematical Institute; Professor B. Ravindran, Head of Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, IIT Madras; V. Ravindran, Director of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences; and Dhinakaran Vinayagamurthy, Lead of IBM India’s Quantum Innovation Centre, among others. Students and professors interested in participating can register via a provided link, with participation confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited seating.
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This initiative by TANSCHE underscores a proactive approach to addressing contemporary challenges and leveraging technological advancements like generative AI to shape a more relevant and effective higher education system in Tamil Nadu.
