Union education minister launches four-year online Bachelor of Science offered by IIT-Madras

The laboratory courses require the students to be mandatorily present in person at IIT Madras for about two weeks every semester, a senior official said.The programme also features multiple exits and the students can get a Foundational Level Certificate, Diploma or the Bachelor of Science degree.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Monday launched a four-year online programme -- Bachelor of Science in Electronic Systems -- which will be offered by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras.

Students will be able to enrol for the course without taking the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE). It will be done through an in-built four-week qualifier process.

''In this era of innovation and research when we are coming up with initiatives like digital university, this new-age course will give further impetus to enhancing the reach of quality and affordable education to the last mile as well as boosting employability,'' Pradhan said at the launch.

He also suggested IIT-Madras to design a basic module for all those who aspire to equip themselves with relevant skills in the digital and electronics ecosystem.

''India should not just remain a consumer of technology but also build its own manpower. This online course by IIT-Madras will serve the dual purpose of improving the competencies of our existing workforce and preparing the workforce of the future,'' Pradhan added.

According to IIT-Madras officials, students who are in class 12 in 2023 can apply and secure admission to the programme after they successfully clear the board exams.

''Students pursuing any other academic program currently (as permitted under current UGC regulations) or working professionals can also apply and upskill themselves in this area. The programme comprises a mix of theory and laboratory courses that will be taught by IIT-Madras faculty and experts in the industry.

''As part of the courses, students will be provided with recorded video lectures, reading materials, weekly assessments, tutorials and interactive doubt-clearing sessions, all of which can be done online. The laboratory courses require the students to be mandatorily present in person at IIT Madras for about two weeks every semester,'' a senior official said.

The programme also features multiple exits and the students can get a Foundational Level Certificate, Diploma or the Bachelor of Science degree. ''This is the second online BSc programme launched by IIT-Madras following the Bachelor of Science Degree in Data Science and Applications, which is currently being pursued by 17,000 students,'' the official said.

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