Powered By NEP 2020, A Look At Online And Multidisciplinary Courses Launched By IITs in 2022

Harbouring the multidisciplinary and multi-modal NEP 2020, IITs across the country have launched a plethora of multidisciplinary and online courses in 2022 for students and professionals.

The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) created a huge buzz when it was tabled in Parliament back in July 2020. Several opposition leaders like Swaraj India’s Yogendra Yadav and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor raised concerns about its implementation, effectiveness and inclusiveness. However, two years down the line, the tables have started to turn and several state educational bodies and institutions are now stepping forward to brace the new education policy. 

Replacing the over three decades old NEP 1986, the NEP 2020 broadens the horizon of the Indian education system with its multidisciplinary, multilingual and multi-modal approaches. Realising the immense prospects of the NEP 2020, several states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and others have set up committees to draft the roadmap for the implementation of the NEP in an as effective and seamless way as possible. 

The year 2022 has witnessed rapid developments towards the implementation of the NEP 2020. The common entrance test for central universities (CUET), and the introduction of FYUP (Four Year Undergraduate Programmes) in universities like Delhi University are key examples of the phased rolling out of the key elements of the new policy. 

Numerous higher education institutions have gradually started adopting the New Education Policy, but it’s the IITs that have led the way so far in terms of harnessing and making the most of the NEP 2020. 

After the introduction of the NEP 2022, IIT Gandhinagar Director Prof Sudhir Jain said that “the new NEP has numerous progressive elements that the new IITs will find easy to implement, considering their young faculty that tend to be more open to change.”

Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthy, Director, IIT Madras, said that the “NEP 2020 is sweeping in its vision and seeks to address the entire gamut of education from preschool to doctoral studies, and from professional degrees to vocational training”. 

“It acknowledges the 21st century need for mobility, flexibility, alternate pathways to learning, and self-actualisation. Another key aspect of school education in the new policy is the breaking of the straitjackets of arts, commerce and science streams in high school, and the goal of introducing vocational courses with internships,” Professor Ramamurthy further said. 

Directors of other IITs like Prof Sudhir Jain of IIT Gandhinagar, Prof TG Sitharam of IIT Guwahati, and Prof PB Sunil of IIT Palakkad too have hailed the NEP 2022 citing its numerous progressive elements. It was particularly interesting to see how the IITs were swift enough in roping in an alternative smart learning pedagogy at a time when the NEP 2020 was just introduced and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the education system. 

Amid chaos caused by the pandemic, disrupting access to quality education and upskilling, the IITs were swift enough in filling the void, pressing on their multidisciplinary approach by blending with smart online learning pedagogy. 

Riding upon the broader possibilities provided by the NEP 2020 and a vision to facilitate uninterrupted quality upskilling to students, numerous IITs broadened their academic horizons with new multidisciplinary, online and certificate courses, swaying away from the traditional image of IITs as full-time science and technology only institutions. 

Towards the initial phase in 2020, both the newer and older IITs like IIT Delhi, Roorkee, Kharagpur, Hyderabad, Patna, and Jodhpur were quick to expand their regular and full-time academics scope with numerous new interdisciplinary degree courses (B.Tech/ M.Tech) in 2021. 

Around the same time, IIT Bombay and IIT Madras started pushing harder on the new online learning curriculum with new “Online Certificate Courses”. While IIT Bombay launched two new certificate courses - Digital Transformation, and Power Electronics and Motors for Electric Vehicles, IIT Madras launched an Advanced Diploma Programme in Virtual Reality. The IIT Madras’ new Advanced Diploma course is offered in both online and offline modes. 

The fresh yet laudable smart learning transition which the IITs started embarking upon in 2021 became even more evident in 2022. In 2022, several IITs came up with a spate of new online course launches, including both degree as well as certificate courses. Yes, a degree course from an IIT is no more out of the educational context in 2022. While some of these courses provide an easier and accessible learning environment to the regular student, it was interesting to see how the others were more targeted towards upskilling working professionals, catering to the rapidly changing needs of several industries. 

Going even further, there are also some new IIT courses launched in 2022 which directly aim at bridging the gap between demand and supply of industries. These multidisciplinary and skill-oriented smart courses from IITs not only further establish the dynamic and innovative excellence which the IITs are known for, but are also great examples of adaptive readability of these premier institutions to seamlessly cater to individuals, society, nation as well as industries, when needed. With that being said, we take a quick look below at some of the new “Smart Courses” launched by IITs in 2022:

IIT Madras

BSc in Programming and Data Science/BS in Data Science and Applications

This new course launched by IIT Madras focuses on developing programming and Data Science skills among students. Students also have the opportunity of multiple exits with this course with a foundational certificate, one or both diplomas, or the B.Sc or BS degrees. After the completion of this course, students will come out skilled at full-stack developers, Python and Java Programmers, App Developers, besides being well versed with Machine Learning Techniques. Moreover, students will be able to take up the courses of the programme as per their availability and convenience.

While the course content of the programme will be available online, students will be required to appear for the exams in person. The exams will be conducted in designated centres in as much as 130 cities across the country. Candidates who have passed class 12 in any stream are eligible to apply for this course. However, candidates must have studied Mathematics and English in Class 10. Those enrolled in other colleges can also pursue this course side by side. Working professionals can also take up this course. 

Online Programme in e-Mobility

The IIT Madras is all set to launch an industry-oriented course in e-Mobility for working professionals. The course is aimed at providing enrolled candidates with an overview of e-vehicle development, battery engineering, power electronics, thermal management and powertrain. 

12-Week Free Online Course in AI

The IIT Madras has also announced a 12-week free online course in Artificial Intelligence for students and working professionals. The course tends to upskill graduate and postgraduate students as well as working professionals with a background in computer science. However, candidates with a flair and knowledge of algorithms may also complete the course, as said by the institute. The course primarily focuses on various search methods used by agents to solve problems. 

Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Electronic System Design Manufacturing and Mathematics Computing along with B.Ed

The IIT Madras is planning to launch a four-year bachelor of science programme in Electronic System Design and Manufacturing and Mathematics Computing along with B.Ed. The course is specifically designed to cater to the production and manpower needs of the semiconductor industry. The programme is set to be conducted in the onlinemode from next year. 

IIT Roorkee

Online Executive Course in Business Analytics

IIT Roorkee has launched a unique Onlinre Executive Course in Business Analytics this year. The programme is being jointly offered by online skill training platform SimpliLearn. The course is offered online and interested candidates don’t need an IIT JEE or GATE score to enroll in the programme. The course will empower candidates with data-driven business decisions skills. This certificate programme has been designed based on inputs from the industry experts and will be consistently upgraded based on trends in technology and the overall market, as well as industry needs. The one-year online programme will only be available for IIT Madras B.Tech students. 

IIT Guwahati

Free Online Course in Artificial Intelligence

Similar to IIT Madras, the IIT Guwahati has also started a free online course in Artificial Intelligence. The course is open for both students as well as working professionals. The course intends to empower students with problem-solving, knowledge representation, reasoning, modelling and other artificial intelligence methodologies. 

IIT Kharagpur

8-Week Free Online Course in Machine Learning

IIT Kharagpur has also started a free online course in Machine Learning this year. The 8-week course in machine learning for Earth System Sciences is targeted towards undergraduate, postgraduate and research students. The course framework includes earth system observations, earth system data analytics, and earth system modelling in various domains such as hydrology, climate, and soil.

IIT Mandi

Certificate Programmes in Data Science and Machine Learning in Collaboration with NSDC

The IIT Mandi in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation has launched a couple of certificate programmes in Data Science and Machine Learning. Launched in November 2022, the course sessions by IIT Mandi professors are live-streamed online. The selection of candidates for the courses are done through an eligibility test. On completion, candidates will be awarded a certificate collectively issued by IIT Mandi and NSDC. 

IIT Kanpur

9 New eMasters Programmes in Economics, Finance, Data Science, and Business Analytics

The IIT Kanpur has launched a slurry of new eMasters degree programmes in 2022. The new eMasters programmes are targeted towards upskilling students as well as working professionals, allowing them to broaden their career prospects while simultaneously meeting the demands of various industries. 

The new eMasters courses launched by IIT Kanpur are offered in Communication Systems, Cybersecurity, Power Sector Regulation, Economics & Management, and Commodity Markets & Risk Management, Economics and Finance in Business; Economics, Finance & Data Analysis; and Economics, Finance, and Public Policy; Data Science and Business Analytics; and Financial Technology and Management. 

These programmes may also be sponsored by corporates and industries for their employees. Besides the online learning mode, candidates enrolled in the eMasters programmes will also be required to attend a two-week on-campus practical training. 

Interdisciplinary Regular Degree Courses Launched By IITs in 2022

Besides these new smart online courses, IITs have also launched a bunch of new full-time regular interdisciplinary degree courses this year. We take a quick look down below at all of these courses. 

IIT Patna  - Six new undergraduate courses

The IIT Patna has launched six new undergraduate degree programmes. Candidates interested in enrolling in these courses are not required to have a JEE score. These new courses are: B.Sc. (Hons) in Computer Science and Data Analytics (CSDA), B.Sc. (Hons) in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity (AICS), B.Sc. (Hons) in Mathematics and Computer Science (MCS), B.Sc. (Hons) in Accounting and Financial Management (AFM), B.Sc. (Hons) in Business Management and Analytics (BMA) and Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).

IIT Madras: New Four-Year Optional Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Applications 

IIT Jodhpur - BS in Physics with Specialization Programme

IIT Mandi - M.Tech in Electric Transportation

IIT Hyderabad - MSc in Medical Physics

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