Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), ranked No.1 in India Rankings 2020 by NIRF, today announced the launch of India’s first online B.Sc. degree in Programming and Data Science. The programme is open to anyone who has passed Class XII, with English and Maths at the Class X level, and enrolled in any on-campus UG course. Even the current batch of students who are completing their Class XII in 2020 are eligible to apply. Graduates and working professionals can also take up this programme. This unique offering removes all barriers of age, discipline or geographic location and provides access to a world-class curriculum in data science which is in huge demand for skilled professionals. The programme was launched today in the august presence of Shri. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Hon’ble Union Minister of HRD, Govt. of India and Shri. Sanjay Dhotre, Hon’ble Minister of State for HRD, Communications and Electronics and IT, Govt. of India along with Dr. Pawan Kumar Goenka, Chairman, Board of Governors, Director and the faculty of the Institute. Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of AICTE was also part of this historic launch.
Data Science is one of the fastest growing sectors that is predicted to create 11.5 million jobs by 2026. Online education is a trend being rapidly embraced for high quality education on a large scale. Faculty from IIT Madras are addressing the need of this sector using online education processes and present an inclusive and affordable education model that will extend IIT’s reach by orders of magnitude.
Congratulating IIT Madras on the launch, Shri. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Hon’ble Union Minister of HRD, Govt. of India, said, “Congratulations to the team of IIT Madras for the launch of the world’s first-ever online B.Sc. degree program in Data Science and Programming. This institution has a rich history of continuous innovation and success and its emergence as rank 1 in the NIRF rankings consistently underscores the team’s talent, mission, and vision. Analysis reveals that every year 7 to 7.5 lakh Indian students go abroad in search of better education and our talent, as well as our revenue, goes outside the country. Institutions such as IIT Madras have the vision and mission to help the nation move forward on its path to self-reliance by bringing such quality education and unique courses right here in India. Even during this challenging time, when the nation is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and everyone is forced to be at home, the IITs have come together to innovate for the sake of the nation. Several innovations such as ventilators, masks, and drones have come from continuous research from the IITs. I am confident that this educational initiative will help many students in India.”