IIT Delhi set for a makeover after nearly six decades of Tech focus

The Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi (IIT-D) is set for a makeover after 57 years of technology focus. Alma Mater to some of the brightest minds across the world featuring Sachin Bansal, Binny Bansal, Satya Nadela, Neeraj Kumar, Rajat Khare, Deepinder Goyal, Nikesh Arora, Amit Singhal, Nandan Nilkenai, and many more pioneers, the institution is on the road to become a comprehensive multidisciplinary university.

As IIT-Delhi shifts its focus to become more inclusive in its approach, courses that are soon to find a place at the premier institution include medical science, bio medical studies, public policy, design thinking, sustainability studies, executive education and non-degree program. The decision has been welcomed by students as well as IIT Delhi notable alumni.

The IIT’s announcement regarding its grand plans came on Monday, just a few days after it was awarded the tag of Institute of Eminence (IoE) by the central government. The institution announced that apart from a multi-disciplinary approach in education and research, it would be market-driven like IIMs to raise funds to fulfil its bigger makeover.

“We will branch out and do more of what we have not done yet. The financial plan is ready. We intend to raise around Rs 1,500 crore from our R&D work for achieving the target,” said V Ramgopal Rao, director of IIT Delhi.

By a conservative estimate, IIT-Delhi will be spending Rs 2,500 crore, including the Rs 1,000 crore IoE grant for enhancing its research facilities, physical infrastructure and outreach in the next 5 years, the IIT said.

Rao also revealed that 2019 onwards, the IIT-D will introduce a new public policy school, that will admit students at masters and doctorate level, as well as a design school that will admit at undergraduate and postgraduate level. It is starting doctorate courses with All India Institute of Medical Science in number of areas.

Advance computational systems including artificial intelligence and block-chain, biological and health-care systems, energy and environment, smart and sustainable infrastructure and habitat will be its new focus for developing excellence, the director said. He said they are investing Rs 200 crore for a bio-research park in IIT-Delhi’s upcoming satellite campus in Jhajjhar in Haryana, and AIIMS will be partner for that as well.

Other than degree programs, the IIT declared it will have short term courses like diplomas to cater to the need of the industry at large. Such courses will be market-driven and charged at market rates. For example, 1-year diploma in AI will cost around Rs 10 lakh, more than three times the fee an IIT charges for its flagship 4-year B Tech courses.

“Customized courses at post graduate and diploma level will have market rates, and we know with industry hubs around Delhi NCR, the demands will be significant,” said Sanjeev Sanghi, dean alumni and international programs at IIT D.

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