Lucknow: With an aim to transform the higher educational landscape of the country with tech immersion, India’s first full-fledged AI-Augmented University, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh has named Prof Dr Thipendra P Singh, a renowned global AI Strategist and seasoned academician, as its Pro Vice-Chancellor. Prof Thipendra, a Doctorate in Computer Science from Jamia Millia Islamia University, brings with him vast industry and academic experience of 24 years who has been working relentlessly to nurture tech talent in emerging areas.
The appointment of Prof Thipendra as founding Pro Vice-Chancellor of Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh assumes greater significance especially at a time when the varsity is on course to begin its first academic session this year with the vision to nurture futuristic workforce in emerging technologies.
In his capacity as Pro VC at India’s first fully AI-Integrated University, Prof Thipendra will work to elevate the global standing of Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh with AI-driven curriculum, industry-aligned academia, digital pedagogy and immersive learning to transform the academic landscape of the region.
A prolific researcher and globally recognized scholar, Dr Singh has authored over 120 peer-reviewed publications across premier journals and carried out groundbreaking work in machine intelligence, hybrid intelligent systems and pattern recognition.
He has served as Dean (Academic Affairs), Bennett University and held several senior positions in renowned institutions including UPES, Sharda University and Hindustan Institute of Management & Computer Studies among others.
Prof Thipendra has successfully supervised four PhD scholars, including one through international collaboration with a French university and currently guides four more doctoral candidates. His global influence spans lectures and academic forums in France, the UK, Malta, Italy, the UAE, and Singapore, including his role as an Erasmus+ visiting scholar at the University of Malta. His impact extends beyond classrooms into scholarly publishing, with over 20 books as author or editor, solidifying his position as a thought leader in the AI ecosystem. He has designed and implemented a specialized Graph Theory curriculum under an initiative in Uttarakhand, showcasing his dedication to grassroot academic development.
Prof Thipendra affiliations reflect his stature in the academic world including Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (India), Senior Member of IEEE (USA) and active member of ACM, EAI, ISTE, IAENG and INTEA-India. He sits on editorial boards of globally reputed journals by Elsevier, Springer and Inderscience and is a frequent keynote speaker and chair at high-impact international conferences. His recent publication, “Revolutionizing Healthcare: Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Diagnosis, Treatment and Patient Care,” examines AI’s disruptive potential in transforming both physical and mental healthcare delivery, offering a visionary roadmap for the sector.
Prof Thipendra appointment as PRO VC at CU UP also assumes greater significance as India’s higher educational landscape has been rapidly going through a transitioning phase with more focus on emerging technologies and global competitiveness. His vast international academic and research experience, including research on AI would be catalytic in bringing a fresh perspective to Chandigarh University’s academic approach.
Extending a warm welcome to Prof Dr Thipendra P Singh on his appointment as Pro Vice-Chancellor, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Chancellor of Chandigarh University Satnam Singh Sandhu said, “Prof Dr Thipendra P Singh who is a renowned global AI Strategist and seasoned academician brings with him a vast research and academic experience which would be fruitful for students and faculty alike and I am sure with his expertise in AI, vast research experience and valuable insights, he will take the CU Uttar Pradesh to greater heights.”
Sandhu added, “Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh has become the first university in the country to offer all its academic programs with AI as a common component to provide world-class AI-augmented multidisciplinary education that is tailored to the evolving needs of 21st-century learners. CU Uttar Pradesh is offering 49 AI (Artificial Intelligence) augmented courses from the upcoming academic session in 2025-26.”
Sandhu added, “Industry-aligned experiential learning in emerging technologies is the major cornerstone of the academic ethos nurtured here at Chandigarh University. To provide industry-aligned collaborative academic programs, Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh has signed MoUs with 24 top global and Indian industry giants to offer next-gen AI augmented programs specifically focused on emerging technologies including AI and Machine Learning (ML), Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Data Science, Data Analytics and Fintech which as a whole are projected to generate millions of jobs in the near future. We have also engaged top industry giants as stakeholders in academics and even before starting the first academic session, CU Uttar Pradesh has formed its Corporate Advisory Board (CAB) with CEOs and Vice Presidents of more than 100 companies. With this CU Uttar Pradesh has become India’s first university to establish these many academic collaborations with industry even before starting its first academic session. These academic collaborations have been done with likes of Google, Microsoft, IBM, SAS, Rabbitt AI, Quick Heal, KPMG and PWC among other top-notch tech and consulting firms in the world.”
Elated over assuming the new role as Pro VC at CU Uttar Pradesh, Prof Thipendra said, “I am both gratuitous and fortunate to have bestowed upon this big responsibility by Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh. Chandigarh University has already been shining bright in the firmament of academics, and I will work in my capacity as PRO VC to take the university to even greater heights from here.”
He added, “Following rapid strides made in different sectors in recent years, UP has not only emerged as third largest economy in the country but also driving the growth engine of the nation today. As the world today is increasingly embracing artificial intelligence (AI), Uttar Pradesh is building India’s first AI city in Lucknow to create a hub for the Artificial Intelligence ecosystem. With the potential to generate over 50,000 jobs in the next five years, this initiative will create robust opportunities for youth while establishing the region as AI powerhouse. In line with India AI mission, Chandigarh University has introduced fully AI-Integrated Chandigarh University UP campus with an investment of Rs 2500 crores which would act as a catalytic force in transforming the academic landscape of the country by nurturing futuristic workforce trained in AI and other emerging technologies subsequently catapulting the nation to become global leader in AI.”
Prof Thipendra further added, “To offer tech-driven (immersive learning) and industry-aligned academia to its students, the large-scale engagement with top industry giants even before starting the first academic session would be instrumental not just in training students in future technologies but also open a plethora of global employment opportunities for them. To further leverage AI-supported education and research, CU Uttar Pradesh will establish 5 Centers of Excellence in AI in collaboration with the global AI firm Rabbit AI.”
