IIT Kanpur’s Wadhwani School of AI & Intelligent Systems Welcomes First Undergraduate Cohort with Student Orientation Programme
The Wadhwani School of AI & Intelligent Systems (WSAIS) at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur organised its Student Orientation Programme to welcome the inaugural batches of its newly launched Bachelor of Cybersecurity (B.Cyber) and B.Tech. in Intelligent Systems (BTIS) programmes. Students joining the School through its M.Tech., MS, and PhD programmes also participated in the orientation, marking the beginning of a new academic session.
The programme introduced students to WSAIS’s academic ecosystem, research opportunities, and interdisciplinary learning environment, while familiarising them with the Institute’s culture of innovation and excellence. The event also provided students with an opportunity to interact with faculty members, industry leaders, and fellow students.
Welcoming the students, Prof. Nitin Saxena, Dean, Wadhwani School of AI & Intelligent Systems, IIT Kanpur, highlighted the launch of the two undergraduate programmes as a significant milestone in the School’s growth. Prof. Nitin said, “The launch of BTIS and B.Cyber marks an important milestone for WSAIS. With our first undergraduate cohorts joining alongside students in our M.Tech., MS, and PhD programmes, we are building a strong foundation for the School’s academic and research ecosystem. I encourage our students to make the most of the opportunities at IIT Kanpur.”
Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, said, “IIT Kanpur offers much more than classroom learning. I encourage students to explore the Institute’s research, innovation, and interdisciplinary ecosystem, and to make the most of their campus experience. In today’s pervasive digital world, fields of artificial intelligence, intelligent systems, and cybersecurity offer immense opportunities, and I am confident that our students will make the best use of the academic prowess of IIT Kanpur and will be able to make meaningful contributions in these areas.”
The orientation programme included academic sessions introducing students to the School’s departments and programmes. Prof. Indranil Saha, Head, Department of Intelligent Systems (DIS), provided an overview of the Department and the B.Tech. in Intelligent Systems programme. At the same time, Prof. Somitra K. Sanadhya, Coordinator, Wadhwani Center for Cybersecurity of Critical Infrastructure (WC3i), introduced students to the B.Cyber programme, outlining its curriculum, research opportunities, and career pathways.
A key highlight of the programme was a Fireside Chat on “Industry Perspectives and Career Opportunities”, moderated by Prof. Rajiv Misra, featuring Mr. Yogendra Deep Singh, Chief Data Officer, CRISIL. The discussion explored emerging trends in artificial intelligence, intelligent systems, data analytics, and cybersecurity, and offered insights into industry expectations, internships, career opportunities, and the skills required of future technology professionals. The interactive session concluded with an engaging question-and-answer session, where students actively interacted with the speaker.
Mr. Yogendra Deep Singh, Chief Data Officer, CRISIL, said, “Engaging with the students of IIT Kanpur reinforced my belief that India has an exceptional pool of young talent ready to shape the future. The depth of questions around technology, innovation, career development, and industry trends reflected a strong desire to create impact. Through such interactions, we hope to provide students with a better understanding of the opportunities at Crisil while encouraging them to pursue continuous learning and innovation”.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Indranil Saha, followed by a networking lunch that enabled students to engage with faculty members and industry representatives.
The orientation programme marked the formal beginning of the academic journey for the inaugural undergraduate batches of B.Cyber and B.Tech. in Intelligent Systems, alongside the new postgraduate students, reinforcing WSAI
