The University of Calicut in Kerala is planning a comprehensive overhaul of its undergraduate and postgraduate curricula to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and foundational computing knowledge. Vice-Chancellor P. Raveendran outlined the reforms at an expert committee meeting on ‘New generation programmes and curriculum strategy’ held on Thursday, 5 November 2026, in Kozhikode, as reported by The Hindu.
Official sources said the academic changes respond to rapid shifts in the global job market and the growing trend of students migrating abroad for higher education. The reforms will use the university’s existing infrastructure and will not raise teachers’ current workload, Raveendran said. Implementation will follow approval from the Syndicate and the Academic Council.
What the Calicut University AI curriculum plan covers
An expert committee led by K. George Thomas, a former professor at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Thiruvananthapuram, is guiding the revision. Thomas said the overhaul will adhere to frameworks set by national and State academic bodies, including the Kerala State Higher Education Council, the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) will be introduced in Malayalam and English so students can access technical education without adding to faculty workload. Pro Vice-Chancellor P. Rasheed Ahammed said the initiative is part of the expansion of new-generation academic programmes, and that a repository of new courses prepared by the expert committee will be published by next month for affiliated colleges to evaluate and adopt.
Who attended the curriculum strategy meeting
The Thursday meeting brought together university leadership and external experts. Attendees included Syndicate members T.M. Vasudevan and A.K. Shahina Mol; K.P. Soman, Dean of the School of Artificial Intelligence at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham; and N. Mohammadali, Director of the College Development Council, among others.
The course repository is intended to help the university’s large network of affiliated colleges choose programmes suited to their students, rather than imposing a single template across campuses.
Why it matters for Kerala higher education
Embedding AI and computing across UG and PG programmes, rather than only in specialised degrees, aligns Calicut with a wider push by Indian universities to make digital skills part of mainstream study. BITS Pilani recently revamped its undergraduate curriculum for the AI era, while Agra University has made AI and cyber security courses mandatory for undergraduates.
Using bilingual MOOCs to deliver technical content without expanding teaching load also mirrors national digital learning policy. The UGC has been pushing SWAYAM MOOCs to expand access in higher education, and campuses are being urged to prepare students for success in the AI era through curriculum redesign rather than add-on courses alone.
Key takeaways
- University of Calicut plans a full UG and PG curriculum overhaul with AI and foundational computing
- Reforms use existing infrastructure, keep teacher workload unchanged, and need Syndicate and Academic Council approval
- MOOCs in Malayalam and English and a new course repository for affiliated colleges are due next month
FAQ
What is Calicut University changing in its curricula?
It plans to incorporate artificial intelligence and foundational computing knowledge across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, guided by an expert committee led by K. George Thomas.
When will the new courses be available to colleges?
Pro Vice-Chancellor P. Rasheed Ahammed said a repository of new courses will be published by next month so affiliated colleges can evaluate and select suitable offerings.
Will the AI curriculum reform increase teachers’ workload?
Vice-Chancellor P. Raveendran said the reforms will use existing university infrastructure and will not alter the current workload of teachers, with MOOCs helping deliver technical content.
Featured image: VIP guest house, University of Calicut campus. Photo: Navaneeth Krishnan S / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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