News

In the rapidly evolving landscape of academic research, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming traditional methodologies and redefining scholarly pursuits. Recognizing this paradigm shift, Quantum University successfully organized a five-day Faculty Development Programme (FDP) from 14th to 18th July 2025 on the theme “Navigating Research in the AI Age: A Faculty-Centric Perspective.” The objective was to foster AI literacy among faculty and equip them with practical tools to enrich and streamline academic research.

Inaugural Session

The programme commenced with a formal inaugural session introduced by Dr. Sana Zaidi. The event was graced by eminent dignitaries including Prof. (Dr.) Vivek Kumar, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor; Dr. Amit Dixit, Registrar; Dr. Satendra Kumar, Dean Academics; Dr. Manish Srivastava, Director, Quantum School of Business; and Dr. Brij Mohan, Director, Quantum School of Technology.

In his keynote address, Dr. Vivek Kumar emphasized that AI should not be seen as a replacement for human intelligence, but rather as a catalyst for innovation and productivity in research. Dr. Manish Srivastava shared the vision behind the FDP and its focus on ethical AI adoption and responsible research practices.

Day 1 Highlights

The highlight of the first day was a thought-provoking session by Dr. Pushpendra Kumar Surya, Professor at Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi. He introduced participants to AI fundamentals in academia, covering everything from problem identification to ethical publication practices, demonstrating how AI is transforming every phase of the research process.

Day 2: Practical Insights & AI Tools

Day two offered an engaging hands-on session led by Dr. Surya, focusing on AI-powered research tools such as Zotero, Scispace, Claude AI, and Jenni AI. Participants actively took part in real-time demonstrations, guided exercises, and collaborative learning, promoting dynamic interaction and immediate feedback.

The session also explored academic integrity and responsible use of AI, underlining the importance of ethical considerations in AI-enhanced research.

Day 3: Bibliometric Analysis & Research Methodology

The third day featured a session by Dr. Pallavi Bhardwaj, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce and Finance, who discussed Bibliometric Analysis as a means to map scholarly impact, citation networks, and research gaps.

Later, Dr. Vinay Pal Singh conducted a detailed session on research design and methodology, revisiting critical concepts such as hypothesis formulation, data collection, and variable classification. His session was instrumental in building a strong foundation in structured research practice.

Day 4: Advanced AI Tools & SmartPLS

The fourth day was led by Dr. Ajay Kumar Chauhan, an esteemed academician and founder of Research Shiksha, with over 23 years of experience. Dr. Chauhan introduced cutting-edge platforms like Orange, SciSpace, and Paperpal, focusing on literature mining, visualization, and writing assistance.

His hands-on training on SmartPLS 4 (PLS-SEM) was a major highlight. Participants applied statistical models to datasets and learned to interpret outputs effectively. His high-energy delivery and practical examples left a lasting impression.

Day 5: Research Applications & Reflections

The final day delved deeper into hypothesis testing and modeling using SmartPLS. Participants engaged in reflective sessions to share insights and expressed their enthusiasm about integrating AI tools into their future research endeavors.

Valedictory Session

The Valedictory Session, anchored by Ms. Rupali Khurana, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce and Finance, concluded the FDP with heartfelt gratitude and collective appreciation. She documented each day’s key takeaways as the official rapporteur of the program.

Special acknowledgment was extended to Mr. Ajay Goyal, Hon’ble President of Quantum University, for his visionary leadership and unwavering support in fostering academic innovation.

Conclusion

The FDP not only bridged the gap between AI tools and traditional research but also inspired faculty members to embrace AI ethically and strategically in their academic pursuits. The week concluded with reinvigorated minds, equipped with futuristic skills and a renewed passion for research excellence.