- IIT Madras launches UDYOG, a finishing school for pre-final-year and final-year biotechnology and allied-discipline students. The programme combines online learning, laboratory training and industry exposure, with the first batch starting January 18, 2027.
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has launched Upskilling and Development for Young Graduates (UDYOG), an industry-oriented finishing school designed to prepare students for careers in biotechnology and biomanufacturing. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic education and industry requirements by providing practical training, laboratory experience and exposure to industrial processes.
The programme is being launched through SynBioME, the IIT Madras–TICEL Biofoundry, which focuses on biotechnology research, innovation, and biomanufacturing and skill development. The first batch is scheduled to begin on January 18, 2027, while early-bird registration closes on December 15, 2026.
UDYOG is open to pre-final-year and final-year students pursuing BTech, MTech and MSc degrees in biotechnology and allied disciplines at colleges and institutions across India. The programme seeks to equip participants with industry-relevant capabilities in areas such as analytical techniques, industrial processes, process development and regulatory practices.
The training follows a structured three-stage approach. The first stage consists of three months of online learning delivered through the Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE) at IIT Madras. Participants will receive instruction from industry experts and learn about industrial practices through demonstration videos.
Students who successfully complete the online component will be considered for selection to a four-week intensive, hands-on training programme at the IIT Madras Biofoundry. This practical component will provide exposure to laboratory procedures, biomanufacturing workflows and pilot-scale operations.
Following the practical training, selected participants may receive opportunities to engage with industry partners and attend interviews for long-term internships. The programme aims to help students apply their academic knowledge in professional environments while developing the technical and practical competencies required by employers.
IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti inaugurates the finishing school and highlights the importance of strengthening collaboration between academia and industry. The initiative also reflects the growing need for graduates to develop skills that align with evolving scientific and technological requirements.
Professor Guhan Jayaraman of the Department of Biotechnology at IIT Madras serves as the programme’s principal coordinator. The initiative is expected to contribute to workforce development as India’s biotechnology and biopharmaceutical sectors expand.
Interested students can submit an expression of interest through the official programme website. Early-bird registration closes on December 15, 2026, ahead of the first batch commencing on January 18, 2027.
Through its combination of online education, laboratory training and industry engagement, UDYOG aims to strengthen graduate preparedness and support the development of skilled talent for India’s biotechnology and biomanufacturing industries.
