Amgen today announced the launch of the first Amgen Scholars Program in India at the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT Hyderabad), bringing the globally respected undergraduate summer research program to India for the first time. Supported through a two-year commitment from Amgen through summer 2027, the program reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to advancing science education and inspiring future innovators. The inaugural cohort comprises 10 undergraduate scholars, including students from India, Vietnam, Qatar, and Dubai, creating opportunities for scientific collaboration and exchange across Asia. As part of the intensive two-month residential research experience, students will explore artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in fundamental sciences, drug design and discovery, healthcare, cheminformatics, genomics and related areas alongside faculty mentors at IIIT Hyderabad.

India’s semiconductor push has gathered pace in recent years, but according to IIIT Hyderabad Director Prof Sandeep K Shukla, IIT Madras Director Professor V Kamakoti has been working towards indigenous processor design long before it became a national priority. “Prof Kamakoti started working on the SHAKTI processor – which is a RISC-V architecture-based processor, back in the early 2000s, and I recall that his team worked with Bluespec Inc to write the micro-architectural specification of the processor in Bluespec language,” Prof Shukla told India Today. Reflecting on Prof Kamakoti’s role in taking the project from the laboratory to the wider ecosystem, Prof Shukla said SHAKTI represents more than a successful processor project. Rather, he said, it demonstrates how long-term academic research can eventually translate into real-world impact. “Prof V Kamakoti’s role is a good case study in how long-horizon academic research reaches deployment,” he said.

iHub-Data at IIIT-H has opened admissions for an intensive six-month training programme in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) for undergraduate engineering students. Designed for B Tech students from AICTE-affiliated institutions in and around Hyderabad, the programme combines strong theoretical foundations with practical, hands-on learning to prepare participants for emerging opportunities in AI. The programme offers a comprehensive introduction to both classical machine learning and modern AI techniques through a blend of classroom instruc-tion and guided practical sessions. In-person classes will be conducted on week-ends at the IIIT-H campus and will be complemented by online tutorial sessions during the week. The programme starts on September 3, and the deadline for applications is August 15. For more details, students can visit course webpage: ihub-data.ai or contact programme coordi-nator at pavanmulkalla@ihub-data.iiit.ac.in