IITs likely to introduce executive M.Tech programmes for working professionals

By Saumya Srivastava

In an urge to make a huge chunk of students opt for research work, the IITs(Indian Institutes of Technology) are considering to introduce executive M.Tech courses particularly for working professionals. The reason that prodded the move was the big number of aspirants quitting the course after landing into jobs in public sector undertakings (PSUs).

According to statistics,  72,000 students are enrolled at 23 IITs across the country. Out of these, 14,000 students enroll for the M.Tech programme that these premium institutes currently offer.

Officials at IITs feel that the current and regular M.Tech course requires certain changes and if required, a whole new executive programme can be introduced. The new programme will cater the M.Tech aspirants to continue studying even after landing into various jobs. The course will be compressed into a one-year programme and will be charged as per the market rates to help students increase their revenues.

Adding to the statement, sources stated that this new executive programme will also help to cross-subsidise the regular M.Tech programme. This will keep the institution from running into losses. This course amendment is made keeping in mind all the aspects while running the educational institution.

A committee has also been formed that comprises of three IIT Directors (Roorkee, Hyderabad & Mumbai). The committee is set to work on the details of this project and then the final proposal will be sent to the IIT Council and the highest decision making authority that is led by the HRD Ministry.

At a meeting of IIT Directors held at the IIT Kanpur campus, the directors had a word on all the aspects of introducing the new executive M.Tech programme. They also raised a point on encouraging sponsored M.Tech programmes by the industry and charging the fee as per the actual cost. This is how the IIMs have already been running their executive programmes in MBA for the working professionals.