New Delhi (India CSR): Aiming to bridge the worldwide supply-demand gap of Computer Science professionals, Sitare Foundation, a boot strapped pan India educational NGO, has announced the setting up of Sitare University. Sitare University will provide FREE world class Computer Science undergraduate education to the brightest minds of India.
The Sitare University has been envisioned by some of the most prominent leaders from the Silicon Valley, top American and European universities, industry leaders, and venture capitalists in an attempt to ensure that the brightest minds in India get an opportunity to study Computer Science, and become global technology leaders.
The University’s curriculum will be spearheaded by renowned names from the academia and industry stalwarts like Vishal Sikka, Founder Vianai and Former CEO of Infosys; Mehran Sahami, James and Ellenor Chesebrough Professor, Stanford University; (previously) Google, Epiphany; Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder and CEO of Paytm; Samir Khuller, Peter and Adrienne Barris Chair of Computer Science, Northwestern University; (previously) Elizabeth Iribe Chair for Computer Science, University of Maryland; Amit Prakash, Co-Founder and CTO, Thoughtspot (previously) Google and Microsoft; Claire Cardie, Joseph C. Ford Professor of Engineering, Department of Computer Science, Cornell University; and many other word wide leaders.
The launch of the Sitare University was announced in the presence of Smt. Yashodhara Raje Scindia, Hon. Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, Technical Education, Skill Development and Employment, Government of Madhya Pradesh and Dr. Mohan Yadav, Hon. Minister for Higher Education, Government of Madhya Pradesh in the presence of Sunil Kumar Gupta, Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV) and Amit Singhal, Founder, Sitare Foundation and Sitare University. The university will initially start operations in Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV) premises in the current academic year.
Founding Guest Faculty
- Amit Prakash: PhD, University of Texas at Austin – Co-Founder and CTO, Thoughtspot (previously) Google; Microsoft
- Amit Singhal: PhD, Cornell University – Founder, Sitare Foundation – (previously) SVP Google; AT&T Labs
- Benedict Gomes: PhD, University of California, Berkeley – SVP Google – (previously) Sun Microsystems
- Kiran Panesar: PhD, Georgia Institute of Technology – Director of Engineering, Cohesity – (previously) Google, Intel
- Krishna Bharat: PhD, Georgia Institute of Technology – Distinguished Research Scientist, Google (previously) Digital Equipment Corporation
- Sridhar Ramaswamy: PhD, Brown University – Founder, Neeva – (previously) SVP, Google; E.piphany; Bell Labs
- Sriram Sankar: PhD, Stanford University – Chief Architect, Anyscale (previously) Uber, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, Vmware
- Vibhu Mittal : PhD, University of Southern California – Founder, Mettle Works – (previously) CEO, Edmodo; Google; Carnegie Mellon University
- Vishal Sikka: PhD, Stanford University – Founder, Vianai – (previously) CEO, Infosys, CTO, SAP
- Yoram Singer: Ph.D. Hebrew University, Chief AI Scientist, Worldquant; (previously) Hebrew University, AT&T Bell Labs, Google, Princeton University
Founding Academic & Curriculum Advisors
- Cathal Gurrin: Deputy Head of the School of Computing, Dublin City University.
- Claire Cardie: Joseph C. Ford Professor of Engineering, Department of Computer Science, Cornell University.
- Kavita Bala: Dean, Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, Cornell University
- Mehran Sahami: James and Ellenor Chesebrough Professor, Stanford University; (previously) Google, E.piphany
- Samir Khuller: Peter and Adrienne Barris Chair of Computer Science, Northwestern University (previously) Elizabeth Iribe Chair for Computer Science, University of Maryland
Founding Program Advisors
- Vijay Shekhar Sharma: Founder & CEO of Paytm
- Ajeet Singh: Co-founder and Executive Chairman, ThoughtSpot
- Ash Lilani: Managing Partner, Saama Capital
- Neeraj Arora,: Co-founder, HalloApp
- Shashin Shah: Managing Partner, Think Investments
The University will offer a four-year Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science alongside five specialized majors, covering multiple new-age technologies such as AI, Systems, Human-Computer Interactions, Blockchain Technologies, and Computer Security. The students will be selected based upon their JEE Mains performance, as well as an interview and detailed background check. The University’s first batch will start with an intake of FIFTY students with plans to start producing one thousand high quality Computer Science graduates every year.
Amit Singhal, Founder, Sitare Foundation and Sitare University said during his address “The world is facing a severe shortage of high-quality computer scientists. India has a large population of very bright underprivileged children who do not reach their full potential due to lack of educational resources. We have already witnessed the potential of such students when five students from the foundation’s first batch secured multiple admissions to top Computer Science programs at prestigious US universities this year.
It is our vision at Sitare University to produce one thousand high quality Computer Science graduates every year in India by providing free world class Computer Science education to bright underprivileged students of India.”
“Education that is widely available to all, that helps all of us reach our full potential regardless of socioeconomic status, is the foundation for improving the human condition, and amplifying our humanity. Computer Science education is a key part of this, and it is imperative that we bring the best and brightest to building next-generation technologies,” said Dr. Vishal Sikka, Founder & CEO of Vianai Systems. “I am very pleased that Amit and the Sitare University team are starting this ground-breaking institution and look forward to advising them on this wonderful journey.”
Sitare Foundation will provide 100% scholarships to all deserving students of Sitare University. Sitare University’s deep academic program will be coupled with a rigorous industry internship program with internships and employment in Silicon Valley.
(India CSR)
