IITG offers three new academic programs with Gifu University of Japan

GUWAHATI: In a major collaborative effort with foreign varsities, the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IITG) has launched three new programs for the academic session of 2019-2020 in joint effort with Gifu University of Japan.
The new programs include three international courses with Gifu University - international joint master's degree program in food science and technology, international joint PhD program in food science and technology and international joint PhD program in integrated mechanical engineering.
"We believe that the four newly launched programmes will be a trendsetter academically and a game changer professionally. We look forward to collaborating with top world universities in such unique programmes. The new curriculum is designed keeping in view diversity of the students, frontier interdisciplinary areas and emphasizing on the foundational subjects. The focus of the programmes is on the study, invention, and creative use of technologies to create effective, usable, entertaining experiences with technology through interdisciplinary research in engineering, design, behavioral and social sciences, and to understand the impact of technology on individuals, groups, and organizations,"said TG Sitharam, director of IITG, said, adding that the institute envisions to produce successful graduates who will be capable of leading the changing scenarios of tomorrow through innovation, in-depth thought and values.
The IITG has started its first international degree from this academic year with formal registration of students from Gifu University at IITG. Following agreements signed with Gifu University, Japan, bilateral movement of at least 14 undergraduate and postgraduate students has started for the three international programs.
As part of the joint International agreement between the two Institutes, four Japanese students, including three girls and one boy, from Gifu University, have enrolled for the international joint master's degree program in food science and technology in April and they are visiting IITG for six months this year. Similarly, four Indian students, including three boys and one girl, from IITG have enrolled for this program in July and they would be visiting Gifu University in Japan in the year 2020 for six months. The courses, laboratory work, projects for the program will be jointly taught and supervised by faculty members of both the institutions.
In addition, four students from India have also been registered for the international joint PhD program in food science and technology, and for the international joint degree program in integrated mechanical engineering.
In a bid to encourage bilateral mobility of students between IITG and Gifu University, the latter hosts the 'Winter School Program' for IITG students every December at Gifu University, while IITG hosts the 'Spring School Program' for Gifu University students at IITG here in the month of March. These two short term academic programs, each of three weeks duration, further facilitate mobility of at least 12 students between the two countries to promote education and research programs.
Besides, a Gifu University Joint Degree Symposium 2019 has also been planned to be held on from October 9-10 to explore and advance the shared vision of international collaborations through the dynamic and progressive platform of JD programs with participation of joint degree partnering institutes. These joint degree programs are also expected to enhance the industrial interaction among Japanese industries and those in the northeast region of India.
Another new course new course introduced by IITG from this academic session which is expected to cater the aspiration of the young aspirants is M Tech in data science. The premier technology institute in Guwahati has been one of the most preferred destination for students pursuing a career in design with two of their major programs - bachelors and masters in design having cent percent seat admittance.
Given the interdisciplinary nature of the M Tech in data science programme with diverse student background and the fact that three departments are coming forward to offer this programme, a committee came up with the proposal of having 5 core course comprising of 10 modules, 7 lab courses, 4 electives and 2 projects.