IIT Madras Launches Online BS in Aerospace Engineering

• IIT Madras plans online BS in Aerospace to diversify options.
• Dual and hybrid degrees encouraged to strengthen core fields.
• IIT alumni-led PALS boosts industry collaboration and training.

IIT Madras, Director, V Kamakoti announced that the institute will soon introduce an online BS degree in aerospace, following online degrees in data science and electronic systems.

Kamakoti urged the engineering colleges to encourage the idea of obtaining dual degrees simultaneously to boost enrollment in essential engineering programs.

Speaking at a panel discussion on "Engineering Education for a New Era: Insight from IIT Directors" organised by PALS, a voluntary initiative led by IIT alumni, he said, "About 99% of the top 100 rankers in JEE joined computer science degrees."

"Students are selecting core engineering courses because they do not get computer science engineering. Toppers should be encouraged to opt for non-CSE disciplines. Hybrid courses should be promoted by the colleges," Kamakoti said.

He stated that students can explore data science or artificial intelligence concurrently with their mechanical engineering studies. He also emphasized the updated regulation from AICTE permitting engineering graduates to complete 20% to 40% of their courses online.

Kalidindi N Satyanarayana, Director, IIT Tirupati, said, "The salaries of core engineers will catch up with IT engineers in five to seven years, and after 15 to 20 years, core engineers will earn higher pay packages."

"Electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, materials engineers, and chemical engineers are needed for semiconductor manufacturing."

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Other panellists highlighted the significance of academia and industry collaboration, entrepreneurial thinking, and hands-on learning as crucial factors in developing engineers.

To equip engineering students and faculty with skills pertinent to the industry, IIT Madras alumni, through the PALS initiative, have collaborated with 50 engineering institutions in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Nepal.

They will arrange lectures, faculty training, innovation competitions, entrepreneurship programs, company visits, and industry collaborations.