The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TeamLease EdTech and NSDC to strengthen graduate employability. As part of this MoU, IIT Patna has announced five work-linked degree programmes – BCA (general), BSc in information technology, BSc in artificial intelligence and deep learning, BSc in cloud technology, BBA in emerging business. Candidates who have qualified Class 12 with 60 per cent marks in the relevant stream are eligible for admission to the five work-linked degree programmes. Enrollment for these programmes shall start in January 2024. The agreement between TeamLease EdTech, IIT Patna and NSDC seeks to strengthen joint advocacy and support efforts to create an alternative format of higher education integrating high-quality formal education, skill development and employer connectivity. This collaboration, as per an official statement, will provide the option of work-linked hybrid degree programmes to every student who aspires to graduate from IIT Patna while improving their employer signaling value, an official statement said. The new sets of work-linked hybrid degree programmes, according to the institute, have five attributes - learning by doing, learning while earning, learning with flexibility, modularity and employer signalling. The programmes will provide the opportunity for every learner to acquire an IIT degree along with an experience certificate from the employer. Currently graduating students will also be able to enroll in these programmes to earn their dual degrees. Every student in the country will have the ability to enrol in the programme through their smartphones once they have registered, which is attributable to an integrated technology platform.
