Prof Manoj Singh Gaur
For all the Higher Education Institutions like IIT Jammu, NEP 2020 has provided an opportunity to transform India into a vibrant knowledge society and global knowledge superpower through broad-based, flexible, multidisciplinary education suited to 21st century needs.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Manoj Singh Gaur, the Founding Director of IIT Jammu, says: “IIT Jammu was established in 2016. We started with 90 students in three disciplines, 4 departments, and a few labs. Today, in 2023, we’ve grown significantly. We now have over 1500 students, 11 departments, and more than 40 cutting-edge labs. Our journey is more than just a story of buildings and publications. It’s about inspiring dreams. It’s about the relentless pursuit of knowledge and flourishing.
With an aim to provide ample opportunities for its students for a holistic development, the Indian Institute of Technology Jammu has been actively working to achieve the rational targets it had set under the framework of NEP 2020.
Initiatives for Learner-Centric Education
Any B.Tech student who has completed his 6 semesters from NITs, can join IIT Jammu for final two semesters [upon meeting the requisite qualification criteria]. This will take place through NCrF’s [National Credit Framework] Academic Bank Criteria [ABC].
Furthermore, CCF [Curriculum Credit Framework], particularly for Undergraduate programs, allows students with the flexibility to move from one discipline to another, and switch to alternative modes of learning.
Currently, there are 100+ elective courses and 10+ minor degree programs at IIT Jammu to choose from across 11 Departments. An upcoming B.Tech in General Engineering Program is truly multidisciplinary in nature promoting system design.
Digital Learning and Leveraging Technology
The Centre for Essential Skills (CES) at IIT Jammu offers holistic education that impart values and builds intellectual curiosity, scientific temper, and creativity. With more than 30 skill-based certificate and diploma programs, CES has benefitted 1000+ individuals from outside the institute.
IIT Jammu’s Tinkering Lab, supported by Maker Bhavan Foundation (MBF), United Phosphorus Limited (UPL), and JKDFC [J&K Development Finance Corporation], aims to encourage STEM experiential learning.
Industry-Institute Collaboration
Under the mentorship of Professors-of-Practice, students focus on outcome-based learning in degree programs and demonstrate workforce professional abilities for potential employment. Additionally, the apprenticeship/internship embedded degree programs run by the institute affirms the effort.
The Central Instrumentation Facility [CIF], also known as SAPTARISHI caters to 7 research verticals, and houses 40+ advanced scientific instruments. Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Government Medical College Jammu, Indira Gandhi Government Dental College & Hospital Jammu, AIIMs Jammu, and Several MSMEs & Start-Ups are amongst its key beneficiaries.
Academic Research & Internationalisation
A repertoire of over 30+ global collaborations with reputed universities [as per QS rankings], 40+ MoUs with National Agencies, and multiple joint degree programs (JDP) with IIM Jammu, AIIMs, and other reputed institutes stand as a testament of the institute’s belief in the idea of collaboration.
The Institute Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (I2EDC), under Instiution’s Innocation Council (IIC) of Ministry of Education (MoE), supports innovation, pre-incubation, and entrepreneurship.
Further under MoE’s NISP [National Innovation & Start-Up Policy], IIT Jammu has formulated two start-up policies to encourage ideas for incubation and innovation among faculty, staff, and students. Currently, IIT Jammu has 07 not-for-profit incubated companies — registered under section-08.
IIT Jammu’s RISE-UP [Research Internship in Science and Engineering: an Undergraduate Program] receives 1000+ annual applications from across India and has over 150+ beneficiaries so far.
Indian Knowledge System
The Sharad Saraf Centre for Ayurved and Indic Studies at IIT Jammu aims to cultivate a space for the preservation of Indian Heritage through the revival and study of ancient Indian medical and wellness knowledge, cultural practices, and languages through teaching, training, research, dissemination, resource building, and collaborative initiatives.
“Our journey at IIT Jammu is far from over. In fact, it’s just beginning. We’re excited about what the future holds and the heights we can reach together,” Prof Gaur adds.
IIT Jammu is writing an inspiring saga of perseverance, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.
(The writer is Director of IIT Jammu).
