IIT Madras Strategic Partnership with IIT Ropar opens up new opportunities for IITM BS (Data Science) Degree students

CHENNAI, 28th August 2024: Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT Ropar) have entered into a strategic partnership that will enable the IITM BS Degree (Data Science and Applications) students to take campus courses at IIT Ropar with a pathway to MS admission. This partnership will also facilitate the completion of IITM BS Degree credits by taking courses at IIT Ropar.

An MoU towards this collaboration was signed today (28th Aug 2024) by Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, and Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar. The MoU signing was witnessed by Prof. Pushpendra P. Singh, Dean (R&D), IIT Ropar, Prof. Sudarshan Iyengar, Head, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Ropar, Prof. Prathap Haridoss, Dean (Academic Courses), IIT Madras, Prof. Andrew Thangaraj and Prof. Vignesh Muthuvijayan, Coordinators, BS Degree, IIT Madras, and other faculty. 

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The Highlights of this collaboration include: 

• Direct admission for select IITM BS (Data Science) Degree Students to the MS program at IIT Ropar without GATE
• IITM BS Degree Students can spend upto a year at IIT Ropar
• IITM BS Degree Students can apply for Research Programs offered by IIT Ropar in the summer 
•  IITM BS Degree Students can pursue projects and internships under IIT Ropar faculty

Highlighting the new opportunities opened up by this collaboration, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “As the BS degree programs of IIT Madras intends to democratise higher educational opportunity for all, this move by IIT Ropar to admit exceptional students in the BS programs of IITM to postgraduate degree programs at IIT Ropar is a very visionary step and will go a long way in building strong careers for deserving students especially from Rural India. I congratulate and thank the Director of IIT Ropar for the same. I hope other Higher educational institutions in our country shall also follow the IIT Ropar path.”

(L to R) Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar; Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras 

Looking forward to this collaboration, Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar, said, “As we embark on this exciting journey, we are laying the groundwork for transformative advancements in education and research. By joining forces, IIT Ropar and IIT Madras are not only broadening our academic and research horizons but also creating opportunities for our students and faculty to engage in meaningful exchanges that foster both professional and personal growth. This partnership is set to forge new paths in higher education and research, establishing new benchmarks for success.”

IIT Madras introduced its 4-year BS in Data Science and Applications in June 2020. This unique program offers high-quality training through online content delivery and in-person assessments. As on date, more than 30,000 students are actively involved in this program, contributing to a vibrant and interactive learning environment. 

IIT Madras has been working closely with other premier institutions in the country to enable in-person learning opportunities for students at the final year of the program. IIT Gandhinagar and Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI) have already opened their campus courses for eligible students of the IIT Madras BS (Data Science) degree.

Elaborating on the benefits of such collaboration, Prof. Vignesh Muthuvijayan, Coordinator, BS Degree, IIT Madras, said, “Such collaborations will significantly enhance opportunities for both students and faculty. Our BS (Data Science) students, who have been learning virtually, can now take advantage of this opportunity to experience in-person learning and engage more directly with their peers and instructors.”

Further, Prof. Sudarshan Iyengar, Head, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Ropar, said, “IIT Ropar has introduced an exciting opportunity for the IITM BS program graduates to seamlessly transition into a full-time, on-campus MS degree. This one-year program does not require GATE or any entrance exam, making it accessible to those who maintain a good academic record. This initiative underscores the parity between online and offline degrees, offering IITM BS graduates a prestigious pathway to further their education.”

The collaboration between IIT Ropar and IIT Madras is poised to set new standards in academic partnerships. With a well-defined roadmap and specific areas of engagement, both institutions are committed to achieving excellence in research, education, and social impact. This MoU establishes the groundwork for a series of initiatives that will benefit both organizations and serve as a benchmark for future collaborations.

The Salient features of this collaboration include:

• Credit transfer from in-person courses at IIT Ropar: IIT Madras BS (Data Science) students who meet the eligibility criteria may complete their credit requirements by taking courses at IIT Ropar, facilitating an exchange of academic resources and expertise.
• MS admission pathway: IIT Madras BS (Data Science) graduates who achieve a specified CGPA will be eligible for direct admission to the MS program at IIT Ropar without the need for GATE scores.
• Access to IIT Madras BS (Data Science) courses for IIT Ropar students: The MoU also enables IIT Ropar UG students to study courses on data science and programming that are offered in the IIT Madras BS program, thus providing equitable opportunity for all students to gain these cutting edge skills.
• Additional student exchange programs, internship opportunities, and other collaborative initiatives will also be supported.

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