Universal Ai University is a private university in Mumbai, Maharashtra,[2] specialising in courses that embed artificial intelligence (AI) in their design.[3][4] It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses across a range of disciplines.[5][6]

Universal Ai University
Former name
Universal Business School
MottoThe Future is here
TypePrivate University
Established2009 (university 2023)
FounderTarundeep S. Anand
AccreditationAICTE, AIU, UGC
Vice-ChancellorDr. Simon Mak
Students80 (2023)[1]
Location
Kushiwali, PO Gaurkamath, Vadap, Karjat, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 410201
CampusRural, 40 acres (16 ha)
Colors   Green, Blue
Websitewww.universalai.in

The university was founded in 2009 as Universal Business School and became a university in 2023, after the passing of the Universal AI University, Karjat Act, 2022.[7][8] It is recognised by the University Grants Commission and the All India Council for Technical Education.The university is India's first dedicated AI University.[9][10]

History, governance and leadership

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Tarun Anand, Chancellor, Universal Ai University

The university was originally established in 2009 as Universal Business School in Karjat, Maharashtra by a group of executives and academics, including Gurdeep Singh Anand (a management consultant and visiting professor at Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies) and Tarun Anand (an executive at Thomson Reuters).[11] The institution became Universal Ai University in 2023.[12] Tarun Anand has been the chancellor[13] since the university's foundation.[11]

In June 2024 Simon Mak, an international strategist and award-winning professor, joined Universal Ai University as its vice chancellor to strengthen the university in areas such as rankings, accreditation, curriculum design, executive education development, and community service programmes.[14] He holds a Bachelor of Technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Philosophy from the SMU Cox School of Business. As the former Executive Director of the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship at SMU Cox, he oversaw research on blockchain technology and developed a course on Blockchain Entrepreneurship for MBA students.[15]

Academics

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AI Experience at Universal Ai University

The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degree programs under its constituent schools of AI and future technologies, liberal arts and humanities, design, and the Universal Business School.[16] The university also delivers Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration courses for Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK.[17] The university has established a lab to learn and experiment with Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality, IoT, Blockchain.[18] It has devised a curriculum which has practical experiential learning embedded in every course.[19][20]

Affiliations and accreditations

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Universal Ai University postgraduate diploma and fellowship courses are accredited by the All India Council for Technical Education.[21][22] Universal Ai University is recognised by the University Grants Commission.[23][24][25][26] It is also a member of Association of Indian Universities.[27]

Universal Business School

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Universal Business School, popularly known as UBS Karjat was founded and setup in 2011 in Karjat and is spread across 40 acres. UBS became the first business school approved by AICTE. It is also known as India's first Green B-School[28] with over 7000 trees in the campus and 40 percent of the campus with no construction.[29] It is also the first b-school to publish its ESG report.[30] It offers undergraduate and post graduate programmes in BBA, BBA+MBA, MBA and Executive MBA.[31][32] It has also deployed green curriculum to inculcate ´green thinking´ in students with pioneering courses like Green Finance, Green Marketing, and Green Operations and Logistics.[33]

School of Ai and Future Technologies

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In 2012 UBS also established an Incubation Center and an Artificial Intelligence, Emerging & Foundational Technologies (AIEFT) Innovation Hub in Karjat through a joint venture with the Vitti Foundation.[34] This initiative facilitated a strategic shift in Universal Business School's focus toward artificial intelligence (AI), culminating in its transformation into Universal Ai University and its School of AI and Future technologies.[20] It offers courses in BTech Computer Science in AI & ML and BTech Computer Science in Data Science.[35]

School of Music, Sounds and Cinematics

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In March 2024, Universal AI University and SoundideaZ Academy also Launched first AI - embedded Sound and Music Degree, a four-year B.Tech. in Sound Engineering and a three-year B.A. in Audio and Music production under its School of Music, Sounds and Cinematics.[36][37]

Liberal Arts & Humanities School

The liberal arts & Humanities School at Universal Ai University offers AI-based programs in BA (Hons.) Economics BA (Hons.) Psychology. From January 2010 to January 2020, the department conducted the 'Red Dot' experiment, which aimed to illustrate the influence of culture on visual communication.[38]

Design School

The Design School at Universal Ai University offers B Des in Fashion Design, Product Design, Animation and Graphic Design.[39] Rubika Design School, a well-known institution for design education, has partnered with Universal Ai University, India's first AI-based university[40]The partnership between Rubika Design School and Universal Ai University will deliver comprehensive programs, including a four-year Bachelor of Design (B. Des.) and an integrated five-year Master of Design (M. Des.)[41]. These programs will specialize in Transportation Design, Product Design, UX/UI Design, Animation, Video Game Art, and Video Game Design. In subsequent years, offerings will expand to include Digital Design, Interaction Design, and Tech-art.[42] Rubika emphasizes project-based pedagogy, hands-on learning, and industry-relevant curricula, students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and are taught by leading design experts from around the world. The partnership with Universal Ai University also allows students to benefit from internships and real-world experience, ensuring they are well-prepared for professional careers.[43]

Metaverse and AI-based Admission Process

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The Universal AI University has implemented a novel admissions process, leveraging the Metaverse and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. This system integrates optimization algorithms, crowd-generating tools, and visual enhancement technologies within the Metaverse, offering a unique and technologically advanced admissions experience for students. Students select avatars to represent their digital presence during the process.[44]

A virtual companion, known as Droid, assists candidates throughout the admissions journey. This includes accompanying them to test rooms, administering assessments, and delivering prompt results. Droid also facilitates virtual interviews, which are subsequently reviewed by the university administration and communicated to the candidates via email or verbal delivery by Droid itself. The ability for candidates to schedule their interview slots marks a significant shift towards a more streamlined and potentially human-less admissions process.[45]

Campus and student life

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Campus Courtyard at Universal Ai University

The Universal Ai University campus covers 40 acres (16 ha) in Karjat, Mumbai,[46][47] with over 10,000 trees.[48] Sports facilities on campus include a football ground.[49] The campus employs solar electricity for 50% of its electricity needs enabling it to have a sustainable and positive impact on the environment.[50] In 2023, Universal Business School has about 21% students enrolled from the Eastern parts of India and recorded 1,230 interview from 229 companies for its MBA students from domestic and international companies.[51] The university has admitted students from 26 states and union territories in India and has received applications from countries including the United Kingdom, Nepal, Indonesia and nations in Africa and the Gulf.[52]

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References

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  1. ^ "Universal AI University claims to incorporate AI across all its programmes; 80 students have enrolled for FY24 session". Financialexpress. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  2. ^ "University". www.ugc.gov.in. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  3. ^ "India's first AI varsity to start on Aug 1 in Karjat". Hindustan Times. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  4. ^ Anand, Dr Tarundeep Singh. "How will India's First AI University – Universal AI University – work?". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  5. ^ "भारतातील पहिलं एआय विद्यापीठ महाराष्ट्रात सज्ज; ऑगस्ट महिन्यापासून होणार सुरुवात". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  6. ^ Shaikh, Tooba (5 May 2023). "India's First-Ever AI University To Open In Karjat; Will Commence from Aug 1". Curly Tales. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Maharashtra govt approves operationalisation of Universal AI University in Karjat". Financialexpress. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Universal AI University, Karjat Act, 2022" (PDF).
  9. ^ Shaikh, Tooba (5 May 2023). "India's First-Ever AI University To Open In Karjat; Will Commence from Aug 1". Curly Tales. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  10. ^ Chopra, Disha (4 January 2023). "The Universal AI University: India's 1st AI University". Analytics Drift. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  11. ^ a b Athavale, Dileep (13 April 2012). "Thomson Reuters, South Asia Managing Director Tarun Anand has resigned from his position". Times of India. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  12. ^ "India Ist AI University Launched by UBS".
  13. ^ up18news (18 September 2023). "Universal AI University Chancellor Discusses Future of AI Education and Innovation on NEWSMAKERS Talk Show". Up18 News. Retrieved 16 March 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ "India's first AI university appoints award-winning American professor as VC". Hindustan Times. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  15. ^ "India's First AI University Gets an award-winning American Professor as Vice Chancellor". 30 June 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  16. ^ "University Ai University". Universal Ai University. Academics. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Transnational Partners". Cardiff Metropolitan University. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
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  21. ^ "Universal get AICTE".
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  24. ^ "MAHARASHTRA ACT No. III OF 2023" (PDF).
  25. ^ "Universal AI University Act Enforcement" (PDF).
  26. ^ "Universal AI University Operational" (PDF).
  27. ^ "AIU Membership Letter- Universal AI University" (PDF). Universal Ai University.
  28. ^ gbsn (9 July 2021). "Universal Business School: India´s First Green Business School to Inculcate ´Green Thinking´ in Students". GBSN. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Universal Business School, Mumbai, recycles campus waste". Telegraph India.
  30. ^ LaBelle, Julianna (8 October 2021). "Universal Business School is First Management Institute to Publish ESG Report". GBSN. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  31. ^ "Best Business School in Mumbai | Universal Business School". Universal AI. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  32. ^ "Universal Business School Courses". Collegedunia.
  33. ^ Sachdev, Navanwita Bora (14 April 2021). "Universal Business School: India´s first green business school to inculcate ´green thinking´ in students". TheTechPanda.com. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  34. ^ Sangani, Priyanka (23 May 2012). "Universal Business School launches incubation cell". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  35. ^ "Universal Ai University, Karjat Courses & Fees Structure: Duration, Seats & Study Mode". Careers360. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  36. ^ Service, Uniindia News. "Universal AI University and SoundideaZ Academy Launch first AI - embedded Sound and Music Degree at the hands of Sonu Nigam". www.uniindia.com. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  37. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (8 March 2024). "Singer Sonu Nigam, Prof Tarundeep Singh Anand, Dr Pramod Chandorkar with others at the launch of an AI – embedded Sound and Music Degree Programme by Universal AI University and SoundideaZ Academy | Parties & Events - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  38. ^ Desk, Sentinel Digital (4 May 2020). "'Red Dot' experiment shows culture impacts in visual communication". Sentinel Assam. Retrieved 21 March 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  39. ^ "Best BDes College in Mumbai, India". Universal AI. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  40. ^ "Universal Ai University Partners With The World's Top French Design School, RUBIKA". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  41. ^ "World's Top French Design School Rubika India partners with Universal Ai University for its Design School". India Education | Latest Education News | Global Educational News | Recent Educational News. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  42. ^ "Universal Ai University Partners with the World's Top French Design School RUBIKA". PaGaLGuY. 10 June 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  43. ^ "Universal Ai University Teams Up With Top French Design School RUBIKA". www.asiaeducationreview.com. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  44. ^ "Universal Ai University launches India's first Metaverse and AI-based admissions process". Moneycontrol. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  45. ^ Daily, Prompts. "Universal AI University Launches Metaverse and AI-Based Process". Prompts Daily. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  46. ^ "भारत का पहली डेडीकेटेड एआई यूनिवर्सिटी 1 अगस्त से पहले एकेडमिक वर्ष की शुरुआत करेगी". स्टेट पत्रिका (in Hindi). 27 June 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  47. ^ singh, avinash kr. "Universal AI University- UBS Mumbai, Karjat: Placement, Admission 2024, Course, Fee & Ranking by Dial Education". www.dialeducation.com. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  48. ^ "Universal AI University Spreads 'Go Green' Message On Teacher's Day". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  49. ^ "Universal AI University To organise Late Gurdip Singh Memorial Inter-College Football Tournament At Karjat". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  50. ^ Agarwal, Gaurav Virendra (5 April 2024). "Prof Tarun Anand chancellor of Universal AI University: A visionary who transformed a tiny town into a Global Education Centre - NewsNowNation". Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  51. ^ "Universal Business School, Mumbai Achieves a Stellar Placement for 2023". 18 December 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  52. ^ "Pioneer AI-led university promises future-focused tuition". University World News. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
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