Starting this academic year, students at Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) can enroll in courses at other campuses. This new academic exchange program allows students to spend a term studying at a different IIT. It marks a significant change from the previous system where admission rank dictated a student’s entire academic journey at one institute.
Inter-Campus Study Program Launched
The initiative aims to provide students with broader academic choices. IIT directors are mapping compatible courses across various IIT campuses. Once identified, students can transfer credits earned from courses taken at host institutes back to their home IIT. This system mirrors semester exchange programs offered by universities globally.
The decision follows discussions among academic deans from all IITs, convened by IIT Madras. A key topic was facilitating student mobility and credit transfer between institutes. Previously, large-scale transfers were difficult due to the rigid rank-based admission framework.
Controlled Implementation
The new program will be implemented in a controlled and limited manner. This approach converts the parallel campuses into a connected network for student movement. IITs recognize the growing trend of students moving for internships and other academic engagements. Allowing cross-campus study aims to support these pursuits.
Each IIT will set its own limits on the number of visiting students it can accommodate. This capacity is based on available infrastructure. Balanced student movement in both directions is expected to mitigate capacity concerns.
Key Features:
- Students can attend classes at other IIT campuses.
- Credits earned at host IITs will be transferable.
- The program allows for a term away from the home institute.
- Institutes will manage visiting student capacity.