In line with its goal to diversify beyond engineering and towards the goal of inclusive education, the Indian Institute of Technology – Madras (IIT – Madras) on Thursday launched its 17th academic department – the department of medical sciences and technology.
In line with its goal to diversify beyond engineering and towards the goal of inclusive education, the Indian Institute of Technology – Madras (IIT – Madras) on Thursday launched its 17th academic department – the department of medical sciences and technology.
IIT-M said the stream will blend the latest developments in engineering and medicine. It will offer a four-year bachelors program in medical sciences and engineering, a PhD program for doctors, a MS by research for doctors, a MS in medical sciences and engineering, and a PhD program for science and engineering graduates. There is also a program called the entrepreneurial doctorate, which allows doctors to create a product, and get guidance and support for it from IIT-M.
V Kamakoti, director, IIT Madras said it is a one-of-its-kind discipline globally and will help understand the human body from the technology lens. “We anticipate that in 10 years time, this department will be where computer science engineering is today,” he said.
Among other things, it will create a pipeline of “physician-scientists” in the country and counts top medical doctors among its ‘professors of practice’ and has already established tie-ups with premier hospitals and medical institutions in India for research. It will prepare students in the design and development of life-saving medical devices, drug discovery, artificial intelligence in medicine, and fundamental medical research.
“India’s leadership in space, nuclear, digital and biotechnology has demonstrated our research capability and potential. Extending this capability to medicine is a natural next step,” Lakshmi Narayanan, co-founder, Cognizant, said, launching the program on Thursday.
The admission procedure will be through IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). Candidates must have cleared Class XII (or equivalent) examination with science stream in 2022 or 2023 from any board recognized by Council of Boards of Department Education in India.
