IIT Madras, in order to enhance hands-on experience by industry for B.Tech students and increase pre-placement offers, has developed a six-month internship program. Initially, it has been developed with inputs from the placement office and industry partners to create the proper kind of industry exposure for students.
From the 2024-25 batch, B.Tech students would not be burdened with core courses in the sixth semester giving them an opportunity to work on their internships; the elective courses can now be taken ahead of or after that. Usually, B.Tech students have just a three-month long summer internship, but the industry people along with the students had requested long internships.
Prathap Haridoss, Dean, Academic Courses, IIT Madras, clarified: “Each department will ensure that there are no core courses in the sixth semester, so students can do electives earlier or later and keep this semester free for internships.” The other thing is that online courses are scheduled from mid-November to July, so there is an option of two separate internships, an extended single internship, or research projects in labs or universities.
However, Haridoss noted that whereas this structure requires extra effort in the second through the fourth years, it actually gives a bigger window for practical experience. Faculty have also felt that longer internships would lead to better pre-placement opportunities as companies would have more time to assess the students and the students would gain more insight into the organizations they would be joining.
Hoping that the increased pre-placement offers would gradually reduce the competition during campus recruitment since this season promises early job placements for most of the students”, says Sathyanarayana N. Gummadi, Dean of Students. Mr. Parasuraman Swaminathan, coadvisor for internships and placements at IIT Madras, states that internship and placement support would be strengthened for PhD scholars through year-round opportunities in collaboration with companies looking for specific research expertise.
IIT Madras Launches Six-Month Internship for B.Tech Students FAQs
What is the new six-month internship program introduced by IIT Madras?
IIT Madras has introduced a six-month internship program for B.Tech students starting from the 2024-25 batch. This program allows students to gain more industry experience and increases the possibility of securing pre-placement offers. The program frees up the sixth semester for internships, with students completing elective courses either in earlier or later semesters.
How does the six-month internship program impact the academic schedule?
As part of the program, B.Tech students will have no core courses during their sixth semester. This allows them to dedicate the entire semester to industry internships. Elective courses can be completed before or after the internship, giving students the flexibility to manage their academic and professional schedules.
What are the benefits of a six-month internship over a traditional three-month one?
A six-month internship offers students a deeper and more comprehensive industry experience. It gives companies more time to evaluate students, leading to better chances of pre-placement offers. Students also have the opportunity to assess the companies more thoroughly, helping them make more informed career decisions.
Can students take multiple internships or projects under this new system?
Yes, students have the option to take two separate internships, one extended internship, or work on projects in specific labs or universities. This flexibility allows students to tailor their experience based on their career goals and academic requirements.
How does this internship program affect placement opportunities for students?
Longer internships provide students with more exposure to potential employers, which increases the chances of receiving pre-placement offers (PPOs). With more PPOs, there is less competition during the campus placement process, making it easier for students to secure job offers. Additionally, it provides companies with a better opportunity to assess students’ skills and work ethic.
