When the country is moving towards reducing the number of entrance tests for our students, is there a better time for the IITs to evaluate whether we need to persist with JEE (Advanced)? Instead, could JEE (Mains) be used for admissions in IITs?
Being part of the IIT system for decades and having worked in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and now interacting with universities across the country as Chairman of India’s top regulator, I had the opportunity to gaze at both systems year after year from within. While universities are spearheading the implementation of NEP2020, let us examine how IITs are managing NEP2020 implementation. Unlike in the yesteryears, the ongoing implementation of NEP2020 is generating newer opportunities for students and faculty members in IITs. How does that happen?
For too long, IITs were focused on technical education. They did excel in doing so, as illustrated by their contributions to the country and the success of IIT alums across the globe. But now is the time to go beyond technical education, focusing on multidisciplinary education. Not to be lulled into complacency despite their expertise in the technology domain, IITs are gradually increasing the non-engineering courses on their campuses. IITs also leverage technology to create a more inclusive, holistic, and research-oriented education system.
Recall that top global universities are always comprehensive universities. IITs acknowledge that they cannot function adequately otherwise. Beginning in the academic year 2023-24, many IITs are commencing the 4-year BS programmes in economic sciences, cognitive sciences, and liberal arts.
IIT Kanpur, IIT Guwahati, and IIT Kharagpur are working on establishing a medical school, while IIT Bhubaneswar has signed an MoU with AIIMS for starting Multidisciplinary Education. IIT Jodhpur offers a Master’s programme in AI and Creative Arts and Mixed-media forms.
IIT Goa has established a School of Inter-Disciplinary Life Sciences, while IIT Jodhpur has established a Centre of Research in AyurTech. This centre aims to develop an AI-based comprehensive system for categorizing population and individual risk levels, leading to prompt precision health interventions. IIT Bhilai offers research programmes in liberal arts, including culture studies, sports studies, and urban studies.
English is the primary language of communication in all IITs. But now, they are focusing on promoting multilingualism in their teaching. IIT Jodhpur offers first-year tutorials in Hindi. IIT Kanpur has established the Shivani Centre for Nurture and Re-integration of Hindi and other Indian Languages to facilitate technical education in Indian languages. A program for school teachers with a focus on Indian values, languages, and pedagogical advancements was started by IIT Bhubaneswar. In all IITs, students can learn Indian languages through language courses.
Our students experience tremendous pressure to succeed, and any apparent deviation may attract grave concern from parents and peers. It is, therefore, not uncommon in the IIT system for students to experience academic stress and mental health issues affecting their personal life. Following NEP2020, many IITs are introducing courses as part of the curriculum for the student’s holistic development and well-being. For example, physical education, performing arts, and ethics are integral to the curriculum at IIT Kanpur.
Most IITs have introduced the multi-entry and multi-exit scheme. In several IITs, one can exit from the B.Tech programme with a certificate upon completing one year, a diploma certificate after two years, and a BS degree after three years. Students can also exit MTech or MBA with PG Diploma at IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, and IIT Bhilai.
NEP2020 advocates using digital technology and online education to make higher education accessible and affordable. IITs have significantly contributed to this area. IIT Madras is at the forefront with the introduction of an online BSc in Programming and Data Science, BS in Data Science and Applications, Electronic System Design Manufacturing, and Mathematics Computing. These online programs have attracted a large number of students. Now one can get an IIT degree without qualifying for JEE.
Several IITs have started free online AI, Machine Learning, and Business Analytics courses. IIT Kanpur has launched nine eMaster’s Programs. IITs will also play a prominent role in providing digital content to the national digital university or e-vishwavidyalaya when established through an act of Parliament.
IITs are now embarking on taking the Indian education brand global. Many IITs have started Joint Ph.D. programs with well-known institutions such as the University of Queensland, Monash University, New York University, La Trobe University, etc. IIT Bombay runs a joint MBA programme with Washington University, St. Louis, US. Not to be content with the above, IITs are now opening their campuses abroad. IIT Madras is establishing an international campus in Zanzibar-Tanzania—a milestone in the history of IITs. IIT Delhi, too, is not far behind with plans to establish IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi. More IITs will follow suit soon.
IITs are silently bringing a sweeping changeover in the educational system. There is nothing like reaching the destination while reforming education. It is a continuous journey. Reforms in higher education should not be viewed as isolated activities. They will have a combinatorial impact on transforming higher education. What else must the IITs focus on?
When the country is moving towards reducing the number of entrance tests our students are subjected to, is there a better time for the IITs to evaluate whether we need to persist with JEE (Advanced)? Instead, could JEE (Mains) be used for admissions in IITs to remedy the problem of subjecting our students to multiple entrance tests?
Teacher training and research in teaching-learning approaches are crucial to realising the goals of NEP2020, which stipulates the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) as one of the significant mandates related to teacher education.
However, only four IITs have come forward to offer ITEP. Imagine if all IITs started ITEP, the impact it would have on the capacity building of teachers.
IITs should also become a part of accreditation by evolving a suitable assessment process. So far, IITs have kept away from this process.
The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) is a unique platform developed to help students deposit their earned credits and monitor their academic progress. Only around 11,000 students from IITs have registered on ABC. IITs must proactively adopt National Credit Framework to bring compatibility in learning outcomes across the higher educational system for better mobility of students from tier-2 and tier-3 institutions to IITs.
Skill education is another area where IITs can assume a leading role. For instance, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 4.0) aims to provide short-term skill training to 1.5 crore youngsters in the next three years with the help of higher educational institutes. So far, only two IITs are participating in this national task.
All told, implementing NEP2020 in its entirety in a time-bound and brisk manner will guarantee that the social contribution of IITs remains on target. The range of reforms IITs can introduce is extensive. There are challenges in executing them. But we can recast these challenges into opportunities if we have an open mind to change. One of the great tests for IITs is to see how they balance focusing on what they have been doing so far and fulfilling what may be a profound prospect for reform through NEP2020.
Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman, UGC and former VC, JNU. Views are personal.