The International Institute of Information Technology-Bangalore (IIIT-B) is planning a significant expansion to become a multidisciplinary institution, following the NEP 2020 guidelines. The institute will establish the IIIT-B East campus within two years, with land already secured near Electronic City Phase II.
At the 24th Convocation ceremony, Prof. Debabrata Das, Director of IIIT-Bangalore, announced that the expansion will enhance academic offerings, infrastructure, and research capabilities. With AICTE’s approval, IIIT-B will launch a B.Tech program this academic year. The program will focus on Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science & Engineering, and Electronics & Communication Engineering to meet the growing demand for professionals in these fields.
Prof. Das highlighted that researchers at IIIT-B Gooru Labs have developed the key concepts for Gooru Navigator, a personalized learning tool. The Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI) will provide global advisory services and conduct research to develop scalable solutions for global challenges. This growth is supported by the Government of India, the Government of Karnataka, and IIIT-B’s Governing Body and Senate members.
IIIT-Bangalore’s Inaugural B.Tech Program
IIIT-Bangalore is launching a B.Tech program with specializations in Computer Science & Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, and Data Science & Artificial Intelligence. This 4-year program, starting this academic year, is open to students who have completed or are completing their twelfth-grade education. Admission is based on the JEE Main 2024 exam, and graduates will be prepared for careers in leading technology companies.
Prof. Chandrashekar Ramanathan, Dean (Academics), said the B.Tech program aims to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in emerging technologies and enhance IIIT-B’s academic offerings.
Research Initiatives at IIIT-Bangalore
IIIT-Bangalore has launched several research projects. The Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI) provides technical advice to countries developing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). The Centre for Open Societal Systems (COSS), in partnership with Ekstep, promotes open-source digital public goods for societal transformation.
Researchers at IIIT-B have developed Gooru Navigator, a personalized learning tool that maps learners’ knowledge, interests, and mindsets. This tool helps identify learning gaps and suggests resources to bridge them. Prof. Srinath Srinivasa and Prof. Sushree Sangeeta Behera have published numerous papers on this topic.
Prof. Srinivasa emphasized the global need for large-scale upskilling and the importance of Gooru Navigator in offering personalized learning interventions.
Key Achievements and Initiatives
– MOSIP Project: IIIT-B’s MOSIP (Modular Open Source Identity Platform) project helps governments implement digital identity systems. As of May 2024, over 120 million people have been registered on MOSIP-based systems in 20 countries.
– Tele-MANAS Project: In collaboration with NIMHANS, IIIT-B’s E Health Research Centre has facilitated over 1 million calls, providing tele-mental health services to remote areas.
– Top 10 Recognition: In 2024, IIIT-Bangalore was recognized among India’s Top 10 Institutes for its work in Data Science and AI.
– COMET Foundation: Conducting research on O-RAN 5G-Advanced base stations and Reconfigurable Intelligence Surfaces (RIS) for 6G wireless communication.
These initiatives and projects demonstrate IIIT-Bangalore’s commitment to advancing technology and education.