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Times of India: The 600,000 IT job shortage in India and how to solve it

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OPIT - Open Institute of Technology

May 2, 2024 • 3 min read

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Written on April 25th 2024

Source here: Times of India

The job market has never been a straightforward path. Ask anyone who has ever looked for a job, certainly within the last decade, and they can tell you as much. But with the rapid development of AI and machine learning, concerns are growing for people about their career options, with a report from Randstad finding that 7 in 10 people in India are concerned about their job being eliminated by AI.

Employers have their own share of concerns. According to The World Economic Forum, 97 million new AI-related jobs will be created by 2025 and the share of jobs requiring AI skills will increase by 58%. The IT industry in India is experiencing a tremendous surge in demand for skilled professionals on disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, cybersecurity and, according to Nasscom, this is leading to a shortage of 600,000 profiles.

So how do we fill those gaps? Can we democratize access to top-tier higher education in technology?

These are the questions that Riccardo Ocleppo, the engineer who founded a hugely successful ed-tech platform connecting international students with global Universities, Docsity, asked himself for years. Until he took action and launched the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT), together with the Former Minister of Education of Italy, Prof. Francesco Profumo, to help people take control of their future careers.

OPIT offers BSc and MSc degrees in Computer Science, AI, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Digital Business, attracting students from over 38 countries worldwide. Through innovative learning experiences and affordable tuition fees starting at €4,050 per year, OPIT empowers students to pursue their educational goals without the financial and personal burden of relocating.

The curriculum, delivered through a mix of live and pre-recorded lectures, equips students with the latest technology skills, as well as business and strategic acumen necessary for careers in their chosen fields. Moreover, OPIT’s EU-accredited degrees enable graduates to pursue employment opportunities in Europe, with recognition by WES facilitating transferability to the US and Canada.

OPIT’s commitment to student success extends beyond academics, with a full-fledged career services department led by Mike McCulloch. Remote students benefit from OPIT’s “digital campus,” fostering connections through vibrant discussion forums, online events, and networking opportunities with leading experts and professors.

Faculty at OPIT, hailing from prestigious institutions and industry giants like Amazon and Microsoft, bring a wealth of academic and practical experience to the table. With a hands-on, practical teaching approach, OPIT prepares students for the dynamic challenges of the modern job market.

In conclusion, OPIT stands as a beacon of hope for individuals seeking to future-proof their careers in technology. By democratizing access to high-quality education and fostering a global learning community, OPIT empowers students to seize control of their futures and thrive in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

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From the same author
Peace FM Online: OPIT Launches Groundbreaking AI Copilot To Transform Online Learning For African Students
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology

July 07, 2025
Source:
- Peace FM Online, published on June 27th, 2025
OPIT – Open Institute of Technology, an innovative global online university, has announced the launch of OPIT AI Copilot, an advanced artificial intelligence assistant designed to revolutionize digital learning. This groundbreaking development is expected to significantly enhance access and support for its current and future students from across Africa.

With over 350 students from 80+ countries – including a growing number from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya – OPIT’s new AI Copilot provides a real-time, personalized educational experience that adapts to each student’s learning journey. It is one of the first European institutions to introduce such a deeply integrated AI system into its learning platform.

The AI Copilot has been meticulously trained on over 3,500 hours of OPIT course video content, 131 courses, and 320 assessments developed over the past three years. Thanks to this rich archive, it can offer highly contextual guidance, link directly to relevant sources, and adjust its support based on a student’s progress in their course modules.

“This is a game-changer for working professionals and students across Africa who are balancing education with careers and family responsibilities,” said Riccardo Ocleppo, Founder and Director of OPIT. “It provides flexible, 24/7 access to mentorship and course support, helping our students overcome barriers of distance, time zones, and academic complexity.”

The AI Copilot goes beyond student assistance. During examinations, it automatically shifts into “anti-cheating mode”, restricting direct answers and acting as a basic research tool, ensuring academic integrity while still encouraging self-driven learning. For faculty at OPIT, the AI Copilot provides tools to automate grading, generate learning materials, and offer feedback rubrics that can reduce assessment time by up to 30%, allowing more time for personalized instruction and curriculum design.

Unveiled at the “AI Agents and the Future of Higher Education” event hosted by Microsoft in Milan, the launch brought together top minds from global academic institutions, including IE University, the Royal College of Art, and others. The event highlighted the transformative potential of AI in education, not as a shortcut but as a pedagogical shift.

“AI is now the environment in which we learn. But it brings cultural and ethical responsibilities,” said Professor Francesco Profumo, Rector of OPIT and former Italian Minister of Education. “We must build responsible bridges between human and artificial intelligence.”

With mobile-first transactions, communications, and learning on the rise across Africa, OPIT has also confirmed the upcoming launch of a mobile app this autumn. The app will allow students to download exercises, summaries, and concept maps, making high-quality, AI-enhanced education more accessible to learners across the continent, even for those with limited connectivity.

Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) is an accredited global online university offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in software engineering, AI, data science, and digital innovation. Committed to accessible and career-relevant education, OPIT is building a future-ready academic model powered by technology and global inclusion.

Read the full article below:
- Peace FM Online
Check out OPIT degrees

BSc in Computer Science BSc in Digital Business MSc in Digital Business and Innovation MSc in Responsible Artificial Intelligence MSc in Enterprise Cybersecurity MSc in Applied Data Science and AI MSc in Data Science & AI MSc in Data Science & AI MSc in Data Science & AI MSc in Data Science & AI
- Career aligned
- Fully Online
- EU-accredited institution
Read the article
B&FT Online: OPIT unveils AI Copilot to transform online learning for African students
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology

July 04, 2025
Source:
- Business & Financial Times, published on June 30th, 2025
Open Institute of Technology (OPIT), an innovative global online university, has announced the launch of OPIT AI Copilot, an advanced artificial intelligence assistant designed to revolutionize digital learning.

This groundbreaking development is expected to significantly enhance access and support for its current and future students from across Africa.

With over 350 students from 80+ countries – including a growing number from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya – OPIT’s new AI Copilot provides a real-time, personalized educational experience that adapts to each student’s learning journey. It is one of the first European institutions to introduce such a deeply integrated AI system into its learning platform.

The AI Copilot has been meticulously trained on over 3,500 hours of OPIT course video content, 131 courses, and 320 assessments developed over the past three years. Thanks to this rich archive, it can offer highly contextual guidance, link directly to relevant sources, and adjust its support based on a student’s progress in their course modules.

“This is a game-changer for working professionals and students across Africa who are balancing education with careers and family responsibilities,” said Riccardo Ocleppo, Founder and Director of OPIT. “It provides flexible, 24/7 access to mentorship and course support, helping our students overcome barriers of distance, time zones, and academic complexity.”

The AI Copilot goes beyond student assistance. During examinations, it automatically shifts into “anti-cheating mode”, restricting direct answers and acting as a basic research tool, ensuring academic integrity while still encouraging self-driven learning.

For faculty at OPIT, the AI Copilot provides tools to automate grading, generate learning materials, and offer feedback rubrics that can reduce assessment time by up to 30 percent, allowing more time for personalized instruction and curriculum design.

Unveiled at the ‘AI Agents and the Future of Higher Education’ event hosted by Microsoft in Milan, the launch brought together top minds from global academic institutions, including IE University, the Royal College of Art, and others. The event highlighted the transformative potential of AI in education, not as a shortcut but as a pedagogical shift.

“AI is now the environment in which we learn. But it brings cultural and ethical responsibilities,” said Professor Francesco Profumo, Rector of OPIT and former Italian Minister of Education. “We must build responsible bridges between human and artificial intelligence.”

With mobile-first transactions, communications, and learning on the rise across Africa, OPIT has also confirmed the upcoming launch of a mobile app this autumn. The app will allow students to download exercises, summaries, and concept maps, making high-quality, AI-enhanced education more accessible to learners across the continent, even for those with limited connectivity.

Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) is an accredited global online university offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in software engineering, AI, data science, and digital innovation. Committed to accessible and career-relevant education, OPIT is building a future-ready academic model powered by technology and global inclusion.

Read the full article below:
- Business & Financial Times
Check out OPIT degrees

BSc in Computer Science BSc in Digital Business MSc in Digital Business and Innovation MSc in Responsible Artificial Intelligence MSc in Enterprise Cybersecurity MSc in Applied Data Science and AI MSc in Data Science & AI MSc in Data Science & AI MSc in Data Science & AI MSc in Data Science & AI
- Career aligned
- Fully Online
- EU-accredited institution
Read the article
Categories
Authors

Francesco Profumo

John Loewen

Professor @OPIT, PhD in Computer Science, Former Professor @Chulalongkorn University and @Vancouver Island University. Location: Italy Teaches Computer Architectures (BSc).

Karim Bouzoubaa

Professor @ OPIT, Professor of Data Science & AI @ Mohammed V University in Rabat, PhD @ Laval University. Location: Canada, Morocco. Teaches Programming courses (BSc).

Khaled Elbehiery

Professor @ OPIT, Senior Director & Network Engineer @ Charter Communications, Professor @ DeVry University and @ Park University. Location: USA. Teaches: Computer Networks (BSc).

Lokesh Vij

Professor @ OPIT, Software Engineer @ Symantec, Faculty @ Seneca College. Location: Canada. Teaches Cloud Computing courses (BSc), Big Data and Cloud Computing Infrastructure (MSc).

Go to all authors

Peace FM Online: OPIT Launches Groundbreaking AI Copilot To Transform Online Learning For African Students

OPIT - Open Institute of Technology

Jul 7, 2025 • 4 min read

Source:

Peace FM Online, published on June 27th, 2025

OPIT – Open Institute of Technology, an innovative global online university, has announced the launch of OPIT AI Copilot, an advanced artificial intelligence assistant designed to revolutionize digital learning. This groundbreaking development is expected to significantly enhance access and support for its current and future students from across Africa.

With over 350 students from 80+ countries – including a growing number from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya – OPIT’s new AI Copilot provides a real-time, personalized educational experience that adapts to each student’s learning journey. It is one of the first European institutions to introduce such a deeply integrated AI system into its learning platform.

The AI Copilot has been meticulously trained on over 3,500 hours of OPIT course video content, 131 courses, and 320 assessments developed over the past three years. Thanks to this rich archive, it can offer highly contextual guidance, link directly to relevant sources, and adjust its support based on a student’s progress in their course modules.

“This is a game-changer for working professionals and students across Africa who are balancing education with careers and family responsibilities,” said Riccardo Ocleppo, Founder and Director of OPIT. “It provides flexible, 24/7 access to mentorship and course support, helping our students overcome barriers of distance, time zones, and academic complexity.”

The AI Copilot goes beyond student assistance. During examinations, it automatically shifts into “anti-cheating mode”, restricting direct answers and acting as a basic research tool, ensuring academic integrity while still encouraging self-driven learning. For faculty at OPIT, the AI Copilot provides tools to automate grading, generate learning materials, and offer feedback rubrics that can reduce assessment time by up to 30%, allowing more time for personalized instruction and curriculum design.

Unveiled at the “AI Agents and the Future of Higher Education” event hosted by Microsoft in Milan, the launch brought together top minds from global academic institutions, including IE University, the Royal College of Art, and others. The event highlighted the transformative potential of AI in education, not as a shortcut but as a pedagogical shift.

“AI is now the environment in which we learn. But it brings cultural and ethical responsibilities,” said Professor Francesco Profumo, Rector of OPIT and former Italian Minister of Education. “We must build responsible bridges between human and artificial intelligence.”

With mobile-first transactions, communications, and learning on the rise across Africa, OPIT has also confirmed the upcoming launch of a mobile app this autumn. The app will allow students to download exercises, summaries, and concept maps, making high-quality, AI-enhanced education more accessible to learners across the continent, even for those with limited connectivity.

Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) is an accredited global online university offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in software engineering, AI, data science, and digital innovation. Committed to accessible and career-relevant education, OPIT is building a future-ready academic model powered by technology and global inclusion.

Read the full article below:

Peace FM Online

Read the article

B&FT Online: OPIT unveils AI Copilot to transform online learning for African students

OPIT - Open Institute of Technology

Jul 4, 2025 • 4 min read

Source:

Business & Financial Times, published on June 30th, 2025

Open Institute of Technology (OPIT), an innovative global online university, has announced the launch of OPIT AI Copilot, an advanced artificial intelligence assistant designed to revolutionize digital learning.

This groundbreaking development is expected to significantly enhance access and support for its current and future students from across Africa.

For faculty at OPIT, the AI Copilot provides tools to automate grading, generate learning materials, and offer feedback rubrics that can reduce assessment time by up to 30 percent, allowing more time for personalized instruction and curriculum design.

Unveiled at the ‘AI Agents and the Future of Higher Education’ event hosted by Microsoft in Milan, the launch brought together top minds from global academic institutions, including IE University, the Royal College of Art, and others. The event highlighted the transformative potential of AI in education, not as a shortcut but as a pedagogical shift.

Read the full article below: