Kozhikode: The National Institute of Technology (NIT), Calicut, has finalised plans for implementing a new curriculum under the National Education Policy (NEP).
According to the NIT authorities, the aim of the effort is to convert the institution into a multi-disciplinary education and research university (MERU) by integration of different disciplines and revising the syllabus at various academic levels.
The new curriculum will come into force this year, they added.
The changes are being charted out by a team led by Professor Prasad Krishna, NIT, Calicut, Director and revisions are taking place in the syllabus of under-graduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes.
A major development would be the introduction of a four-year integrated BSc-BEd course.
Students would be able select courses and combinations of their preferred subjects under the choice-based credit system.
Latest topics such as Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Science also will be included in the curriculum.
Student exchange
“We are also launching student exchange programmes this year under NEP,” said Dr S M Sameer, Dean of the Academic Section at NIT. Under these programmes, nine final-year BTech in various branches will complete their final year’s studies at the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, he said.
Other major decisions include appointment of industry experts in posts such as Professor of Practice and Visiting faculty. Internships will also be ensured for NITC students in private industries, government institutions, R&D labs and public sector units.
“NITC will also open 15 multi-disciplinary centres, which will function for developing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth of students,” said Dr J Sudha Kumar, Director-in charge.
25 patents received
An Institute Innovation Council is also functioning at NIT, Calicut, to promote research. The institution is currently placed eighth in India in the innovation ranking and the only NIT in the top 10.
Till now, NIT, Calicut, has received 25 patents and five trademarks. Last year, as many as 43 projects submitted by the students were granted financial aid and among them, 14 are awaiting patents. Currently, a student startup and three faculty startups are registered at the institution.
The institution has also started work on additional infrastructure under NEP, including a new academic block, 33-kv sub-station and a subway connecting the two campuses.
Master plan ready
Meanwhile, a master plan prepared by the Architecture and Planning Department is also ready. It envisages a Social Science & Economics School, Heritage Centre, Satellite campus and Integrated sports-cum-convention centre at an outlay of Rs 525 crore.
MoUs will be signed with Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE), Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) and Heartfulness Education Trust (HET) for collaboration in academic and research activities under NEP, the NIT authorities at Calicut said.