LUCKNOW, July 30 -- Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) is set to establish four Centres of Excellence in high-impact and emerging technology areas to better prepare students for industry requirements. Vice-chancellor prof JP Pandey said the four Centres of Excellence will focus on semiconductors, drone technology, satellite design and robotics. The facilities will provide students with hands-on training in these areas using Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) tools. "These high-impact and emerging technology domains are all over the technical market today. As part of the course, students will get hands-on experience. We will also start certificate courses as part of the centres of excellence, providing students an opportunity to build their portfolio alongside their degree," prof Pandey said. The vice-chancellor said the initiative aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry needs. By integrating AR and VR into training, students will be able to simulate real-world situations in chip design, drone operations, satellite modelling and robotic systems without waiting for large-scale laboratory infrastructure. The certificate programmes running alongside regular degree courses are expected to help students demonstrate specialised skills to recruiters. Prof Pandey also said the university was planning to integrate Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) into various courses. "The academic integration of MOOCs will provide easy access to lectures for students and at the same time it provides experts from across the country who teach various subjects online on SWAYAM portal," he said. Officials said MOOC integration would allow AKTU students to learn from faculty members and industry experts beyond the campus. It would also give them the flexibility to learn at their own pace. Subjects that are niche or require specialised instructors can be taught through the SWAYAM platform, complementing regular classroom teaching, officials said. Prof. Pandey said the university expected the Centres of Excellence to attract collaborations with industry and research bodies. The initiative is also expected to make AKTU graduates more job-ready in sectors witnessing rapid growth.htc...