IIT-Kharagpur to roll out new short-term courses for pros

In an attempt to provide tailor-made and relevant courses for professionals, the Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur (IIT-Kgp) has lined up a number of programmes this year under its continuing education programme.

These courses are expected to help working professionals update their knowledge in domain areas years after completing formal education in college.

The programmes include topics like 'Dechlorophyllation of Betel Leaves', 'Agro Service through Modern Agricultural Technologies', 'Reliability Aspects of Space Technology' and 'Captive Plantation & Processing of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants'.

These are either All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)-funded quality improvement short-term programmes (QIPs) or self-financed short-term courses and are offered by the institute for individual participants, or sponsored by government or private organisations.

"These courses are usually availed by middle or senior-level employees, as junior-level employees come fresh from universities and don't need much upgrade," says Bani Chatterjee, dean of continuing education at IIT-Kgp.

On an average, close to 300 students get admitted for the continuing education programmes every year. The cost of these courses, on an average, range between Rs 1,000 and Rs 10,000. However, certain courses could cost up to a couple of lakhs.

For instance, the Danish embassy of Dhaka had sent people for a four-month management course at IIT-Kgp at a cost of approximately Rs 60 lakh.

"Our continuing education courses are expected to help tremendously as it provides practical experience for the ones availing them. Moreover, these are updated courses which impart training in the latest technology used," says Chatterjee.

IIT-Kgp also conducts close to eight courses per year on agriculture and rural development for farmers. These are usually sponsored by the agriculture ministry who offer the courses for free or charge a nominal Rs 500 fee.

Besides providing higher learning and research in engineering, technology, science, medical science and technology, management and law, one of the areas in which the IITs have been contributing significantly towards national development is the quality improvement of technical teachers and continuing education of working professionals.

This is ensured at IIT-Kgp through the QIP which provides opportunities for teachers sponsored by AICTE-approved engineering colleges to improve their qualifications by acquiring MTech and Ph.D degrees.

Admitted candidates are paid a scholarship along with salary from the sponsoring colleges.