Ashoka University, on March 21 announced the launch of the Ashoka School of Advanced Computing (ASAC), aimed at transforming computer science research and education in India. Rooted in Ashoka’s commitment to liberal arts and interdisciplinary learning, ASAC will redefine computational thinking, enabling its integration across the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and arts. Over the next five years, Ashoka University will raise INR 250 crore to support the expansion of the school, fund pioneering research, and attract top-tier faculty and students and researchers from across the world.
ASAC’s core focus will be to spearhead interdisciplinary research in computer science, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and integrate computational thinking into both the natural and social sciences, and to apply computational approaches to address critical societal challenges, including healthcare, climate change, sustainability, and public policy. Additionally, ASAC will develop innovative academic programmes that cultivate the next generation of computational thinkers, equipping them with deep social, ethical, and historical awareness to harness computing for the greater good.
In addition to traditional computer science majors, ASAC will offer innovative programmes that combine computing with diverse fields, such as Computer Science and Mathematics; Computer Science, Economics, and Mathematics; Computer Science and Philosophy; and Computer Science and Entrepreneurship. Future offerings will include programmes in Cognitive Science, Computer Science and Biology, and AI and Data Science, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills to navigate and lead in an increasingly digital world.
“The Ashoka School of Advanced Computing (ASAC) is a reimagination of computer science education. By fostering an interdisciplinary, research-driven approach, we aim to develop a new class of computational thinkers who can engage meaningfully with the complex problems of our time, blending rigorous technical training with social and ethical awareness. Through cutting-edge research, global collaborations, and innovative academic programmes at ASAC, we aim to equip the next generation of thinkers with the technical expertise and ethical foundation needed to shape the future of AI, data science, and computing for societal impact,”said Prof Somak Raychaudhury, Vice Chancellor, Ashoka University.
ASAC will also incorporate several pioneering Centres of Excellence, which will serve as hubs for innovation and knowledge creation:
- The Centre for Data Science and Analytics (CDSA) which, by consolidating diverse datasets (including economic, political, geographical, ecological, health, and cultural data) into a common knowledge graph with rich metadata, fosters interdisciplinary research and creates new opportunities in core computer science and AI
- The SafeExpress Centre for Data, Learning and Decision Sciences which is working to develop AI solutions for complex societal problems, including weather modelling, financial fraud detection, and infectious disease simulations
- The Centre for Digitalisation, AI, and Society that examines the ethical, social, and regulatory implications of AI in public services
- The Koita Centre for Digital Health (KCDH-A), which is part of the Trivedi School of Biosciences, and will lead advancements in digital healthcare, genomics, and AI-driven medical solutions.
