S. Vishnu Sharma
IIT Madras has implemented key features of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 through various initiatives including ‘IIT Madras for All’, BS Degree (Data Science and Applications) as well as through Inter-Disciplinary Dual Degree (IDDD) programs.
The unique aspects of these programs of IIT Madras include multiple entry and exit options, providing for a change of discipline, and enabling humanities specialization for Technical students.
IIT Madras is also registered in the Academic Bank of Credits Portal (https://www.abc.gov.in/) under the Central Higher Education Institution category. As many as 491 students of IIT Madras have registered in the same.
Rural interaction
IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation through its partners has embarked on establishing Rural Interaction Centres (RICs) in villages which focuses on bringing the best teachers to rural students through technology.
A village study center is established with a smart TV and internet connection. The RICs cater to students of 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th. The live online classes are conducted from evening 6 pm to 8 pm.
Experienced teachers teach Science, English and Maths in the mother tongue. 89 villages are covered under this program in Tamil Nadu and 100 villages in Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh.
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As many as 12,000 students are taking these programs through these 189 Rural Centres. This Program has already generated one school topper and one 100% scorer in Chemistry and has achieved a 98% passing rate.
Rural technology
Another key initiative under ‘IIT Madras for All’ is establishing of Rural Technology Centre in partnership with ASHA which takes computer science literacy to remote and rural Government School Students in Tamil Nadu.
These Centres will spread the knowledge of technology and its benefits to rural areas of Tamil Nadu. The Rural Technology Centre offers courses to 9th to 12th standard students.
The goal of these centres is to make the children comfortable with the use of technology by providing both digital literacy skills and computational thinking skills.
IIT Madras director
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “The NEP emphasizes the need for educational institutions to nurture creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among students.
It recognizes the importance of promoting an entrepreneurial mindset and fostering innovation as key pillars of a well-rounded education, said IIT Madras director.
IIT Madras director further said The Centre for Innovation (CFI) and Nirmaan align with the NEP’s goals of nurturing creativity and imparting focus on problem-solving aligns with the NEP’s emphasis on nurturing start-ups that address real-world challenges and contribute to societal welfare.
CFI and Nirmaan
IIT Madras has also established multiple avenues to nurture students’ creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. These include the Center for Innovation (CFI) and Nirmaan pre-incubator. They are committed to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and nurturing young minds
The CFI serves as a hub for creative thinking and provides students with the necessary resources, infrastructure, and ample guidance from faculty and senior students to pursue their innovative ideas.
We offer a collaborative environment that encourages interdisciplinary learning, experimentation, and the application of knowledge in real-world contexts.
Similarly, Nirmaan provides a sandbox space for aspiring entrepreneurs to develop business ideas and make them technically sound and economically viable.
By offering mentorship, workshops, seed funding, and access to industry experts, the Institute guides students in their entrepreneurial journey.
Nirmaan’s focus on problem-solving aligns with the NEP’s emphasis on nurturing start-ups that address real-world challenges and contribute to societal welfare.
BS (Data Science and Programming)
There are four levels in the IIT Madras Degree program and to get the BS Degree in Data Science and Applications from IIT Madras, a learner has to successfully complete all four levels. There is also the flexibility to exit at any level.
Depending on the courses completed and credits earned, the learner can receive a Foundation Certificate from IITM CODE (Centre for Outreach and Digital Education) or Diploma(s) from IIT Madras or BSc Degree in Programming and Data Science from IIT Madras or BS Degree in Data Science and Applications from IIT Madras.
Interdisciplinary Dual Degree Programme
IITM launched the Interdisciplinary Dual Degree (IDDD) programme in 2018 to keep up with the growing demands of technology and the industry.
With the IDDD, students can master the newest areas and trends in tech by getting a combined Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree. These courses belong to the IDDD family of five-year programmes of IITM.
The programmes are a collaborative effort that spans multiple departments within IITM. As on date, IIT Madras has a total of 14 Interdisciplinary Dual Degrees (IDDD), as on date in cutting-edge areas. Some IDDD programs are:
1. Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
2. Complex Systems and Dynamics
3. Biomedical Engineering
4. Computational Engineering
5. Atmospheric and Climate Sciences
6. Cyber-Physical Systems
7. Data Science
8. Electric Vehicles
9. Energy Systems
10. Robotics
11. Quantum Science and Technology
12. Quantitative Finance
13. Public Policy
14. Tech MBA (a CGPA of 7.5 or above is considered for this)