Ashoka University launches School of Advanced Computing for interdisciplinary innovation

Ashoka University on Friday (March 21, 2025) launched the Ashoka School of Advanced Computing (ASAC), which is aimed at redefining computer science education and research by integrating computational thinking across diverse disciplines like natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

The school’s mission is to spearhead groundbreaking research in computer science, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML), while applying computational approaches to address critical societal issues like healthcare, climate change, sustainability, and public policy.

Over the next five years, Ashoka University aims to raise ₹250 crore to support the growth of ASAC, fund research, and attract faculty and students from around the globe.

The ASAC “is a reimagination of computer science education,” Prof. Somak Raychaudhury, Vice Chancellor of Ashoka University, said in a statement. “By fostering an interdisciplinary, research-driven approach, we aim to develop computational thinkers who can meaningfully engage with complex global challenges, blending technical expertise with social and ethical awareness.”

ASAC will offer a range of academic programmes, combining traditional computer science with other fields such as mathematics, economics, philosophy, and entrepreneurship. Future offerings will expand into cognitive science, biology, and AI and data science, equipping students with the skills to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

The school will also host several Centers of Excellence, including the Centre for Data Science and Analytics (CDSA), the SafeExpress Centre for Data, Learning and Decision Sciences, the Centre for Digitalisation, AI, and Society, and the Koita Centre for Digital Health (KCDH-A).

These centres will focus on cutting-edge research areas like data analytics, AI-driven healthcare solutions, digital ethics, and complex societal problem-solving.

Published – March 21, 2025 02:51 pm IST