IITs are considering introducing an executive M.Tech course especially for working professionals to ensure more IIT students opt for research work, sources said.
IITs currently offer a two-year M.Tech programme and the institutions pay Rs 12,400 per month as fellowship for M.Tech students and charge approximately Rs 20,000 per annum as fee.
For the executive M.Tech progarmme, IITs have proposed charging fees as per the market rates which will also help them increase their revenue. Fees for M.Tech at IITs are currently lower than those of private institutions.
The income from this programme can also help cross-subsidise the regular M.Tech programme, so that IITs do not run into losses, explained an official.
At the 155th meeting of IIT directors hosted by IIT-Kanpur in December 2016, the directors discussed issues related to introducing executive M.Tech.
Directors also discussed encouraging sponsored M.Techs by industry and the course could be charged for the actual cost. A number of IIMs and other management schools already offer an executive MBA programme for working professionals.
A committee has been formed comprising three IIT directors: Bombay, Hyderabad and Roorkee to work out the details of the project. The proposal will then be sent to the IIT council, the highest decision making body of the IITs, which is chaired by the HRD minister.
Source: Hindustan Times