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IIT-B got an extensive institute-wide review conducted for the period 2018-2022 in two phases during 2023-24, the report for which was released on Thursday
In 2023-24, 75% of students were placed by the institute overall, as per IIT-B’s placement report for this year. Representational image: News18)
Introducing “modifications” in the placement process, improving the faculty-student ratio, enhancing industry interaction, bettering infrastructure, and developing a five-year roadmap for each department — these are some of the key recommendations made by a panel in its report of the review conducted by it at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay.
IIT-B got an extensive institute-wide review conducted for the period 2018-2022 in two phases during 2023-24, the report for which was released on Thursday.
The academic units were individually reviewed, each by a specialised external committee in phase 1. In phase 2, the institutional review panel, comprising experts from India and abroad, assessed the overall progress of the institute.
The report observed that the newly introduced exit survey by the institute found that around 57.1% of students got placed through IIT-B placements, 10.3% landed up in jobs outside of the institute’s placement process, 1.6% took to initiating start-ups, 8.3% entered public services, 6.1% were still looking for a job, and 12% of the students opted for a higher degree, both in the country and abroad during 2022-23.
In 2023-24, 75% of students were placed by the institute overall, as per IIT-B’s placement report for this year.
According to the review report that was submitted to the institute on April 15 this year, the exit survey has been newly introduced to identify the various routes that undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students may take after graduating from IIT-Bombay.
The report highlights that the placement process needs “modifications” since both UG and PG students get stressed out preparing for multiple tests for recruiting firms.
“Both UG and PG students experience stress and are unable to focus on coursework, TA work, projects, etc. due to the demanding nature of the process — preparing and appearing for multiple tests for companies, etc,” the report stated.
It also recommended that faculty advisers should meet the respective students on a regular basis at least twice a semester to foster a “comfortable, supportive, and effective academic environment”.
Established in 1958, IIT-B is a first-generation IIT. In July 2018, it was declared an Institute of Eminence by the union ministry of education (MoE).
Faculty data
While presenting the faculty data, it was noted that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, 227 positions were offered, of which 185 were accepted and 99 have already joined, as per the report.
The number of female faculty in the institute rose from 95 in 2018 to 109 in 2023. Currently, around 16% of the total faculty strength comprises women, it said.
“It was observed that the ratio of male-female faculty members at the Assistant and Associate professor level seems to be much better than at the full-time professor level,” the report stated.
A continuous increase in the overall number of students has been observed and between 2012 and 2023, the number of students has almost doubled, it said.
Also, the intake of female students at the UG level had gone up considerably after 2018 due to the introduction of a supernumerary quota for female students, the report noted.
“The number of students at the PG level had plateaued over the past years because the students dropped out of the program to join the PSU jobs on offer,” it said.
The institute introduced the position of a professor of practice during the review period.
The report cites the lack of faculty housing as the reason for the Institute’s inability to recruit beyond a limit. Further, the number of staff members recruited was less due to several reasons like shortage of infrastructural facilities or the shortage of qualified pools of applicants for the position advertised.
It also said that since 2021, IIT-B has been conducting special recruitment drives every alternate year to increase the representation of faculty members from reserved categories and that it must further the drive.
“Special efforts are made by IIT-Bombay to recruit Postdoctoral Fellows from reserved categories so that they are trained for faculty positions in academic institutions throughout the country,” the report said.
‘More industry-academia linkage needed’
More industry interaction is advised, and academic units may earmark separate funds to arrange industry visits.
“Enhancing linkages between industry and entrepreneur-focused units, which have evolved independently due to distinct funding sources, could foster a more symbiotic ecosystem. Such integration has the potential to leverage IITB’s talent pool more effectively, yielding superior outcomes,” the report said.
‘Need to improve infra’
The panel noted that there is “inadequate” space for all academic units and a need for larger laboratories, more reading rooms, and departmental libraries are some of the facilities IIT-B should plan for. More hostel rooms and purified water supply may be provided in the academic units not having the facility.
Each academic unit has been advised to develop its five-year and ten-year plans and roadmap to meet the goals and vision of its unit.
“Departmental Advisory Committees may be revived, having national and foreign academics, and alumni as members of the advisory board. The institute was also advised to implement HRA as per policy for scientific and support staff. Also, reduce the concerns of the staff regarding career progression and prospects,” the report said.
