With over 37 years of experience in academia and administration, Dr Sushma S Kulkarni, Vice Chancellor, NICMAR University, Pune, has witnessed significant shifts in the construction, infrastructure, real-estate and allied sectors. Speaking to CW, she emphasises how the ongoing digital revolution powered by emerging technologies like AI, IoT and robotics is reshaping these industries. In her view, for future challenges to be met, higher education must evolve accordingly and NICMAR is strategically positioned to address these needs.

“As the construction industry rapidly integrates digital technologies such as BIM, AI, IoT and automation, higher education institutions must rise to meet new demands,” she says. “Moreover, with construction being a significant contributor to carbon emissions, a growing emphasis on sustainability is pushing educational institutions to focus on green construction techniques and carbon-neutral initiatives, which is impelling institutions to prioritise these in their curricula with practical, hands-on training for exposure to real-world challenges.”