IISERs Embark on Revolutionary Education Reforms with Flexible Entry-Exit System

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In a significant move to revamp higher education in India, the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) have announced plans to adopt a learner-centric model with multiple entry-exit pathways. This initiative aims to preserve academic standards while allowing students to pursue research, innovation, and industry-focused internships. The decision was made during the third meeting of the IISER Standing Committee, chaired by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi. The committee oversees academic, research, and policy matters of IISERs, which are Institutions of National Importance under the NITSER Act, 2007. As part of the reforms, IISERs will undertake a comprehensive review of their PhD programmes to align them with industry needs and national priority missions. The institutes will also establish research parks, incubators, and domain-specific Centres of Excellence (CoE) across campuses to enhance societal impact. Each IISER will establish its own Section 8 company to strategically propagate national and international priority research, bridge academic research potential with industry partners, and attract funding. The company will be steered by a Board comprising eminent academicians, corporate leaders, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders. The Standing Committee members also released the five-year and 10-year vision statement of the IISERs. The 5-Year Vision includes scaling enrollment, establishing thematic CoEs, boosting NIRF rankings, and enhancing internationalization. The 10-Year Vision includes building on CoEs, emphasizing startups and translational research, and achieving indigenous high-end instrumentation. In related news, the 13th National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (NITSER) Council meeting discussed aligning curricula, assessments, and research with emerging technologies such as Industry 4.0 and AI. Members proposed specialized PG and M.Tech programmes and 360-degree PhD reforms, including industry-led and product-based research. The council also emphasized building strong innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems, directing NITs without incubation centres to set them up immediately and establishing research parks without delay. The reforms aim to support India's goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat by 2047.