Image Courtesy: Times of India

IIT Bombay is taking a bold step toward transforming its teaching methods to better meet the evolving needs of students. Beginning in the next academic year, the Institute will introduce more activity-based learning, hands-on training, and discussion-oriented classroom interactions across its courses. This initiative will not follow a one-size-fits-all approach, instead offering department-specific solutions tailored to their unique requirements.

A notable aspect of this shift is the introduction of voluntary summer internships for first-year students. These internships will focus on addressing local issues in their hometowns, with support from IIT Bombay’s alumni network. This opportunity aims to connect students with real-world problems and encourage meaningful, community-driven solutions.

The decision to overhaul the teaching pedagogy has been inspired by a comprehensive review conducted by IIT Bombay’s Teaching Learning Assessment (TLA) committee, which involved faculty, students, and alumni. Professor Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, emphasized that students should be able to solve problems instead of banking on artificial intelligence-based tools. They should be able to discover and build on their innate talents, as they focus on problem-solving and project-based learning.

The new approach is deeply grounded in feedback from the TLA committee’s workshops and discussions. One committee member reflected that their focus will be on nurturing an ecosystem where learning becomes a natural expression, and students can build on their strengths.

As IIT Bombay continues to evolve its academic model, the aim is to provide students with an education that’s not only theoretically sound but also practically applicable. This will involve more project-based work, field-exposure activities, and increased interaction with the industry. The goal is for students to gain practical skills and knowledge that they can apply in real-world settings.

The first phase of this initiative, set to roll out in the 2025-26 academic year, will introduce courses designed around shared contextual learning and internships supported by IIT Bombay’s alumni network. One professor from the review committee pointed out that the IITs were set up in the late 1950s and early 60s as a part of the nation-building exercise, and now need to be part of creating the new future as India-2047.

This paradigm shift represents IIT Bombay’s commitment to fostering a holistic educational experience that balances academic rigor with practical, hands-on learning. The initiative is part of a larger vision to position the Institute as a leader in progressive, future-ready education.

For more, click here: Times of India