IIT Madras has launched the ‘IITM School Connect’ initiative to bridge the gap between school and higher education by offering online certificate courses to students in Classes X to XII. Spearheaded by the Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE), the program aims to democratize access to quality STEM education, spark early interest in emerging fields, and guide students toward informed academic and career decisions.
Featuring 8-week courses designed by IIT faculty—with options in Data Science, AI, Law, Ecology, and more—the initiative partners with schools nationwide on a non-commercial model. Students can earn certificates and even qualify for IIT Madras’s BS programs, with over 11,000 enrollments and 500 school partnerships already marking its early success.
Batch 3 – August 2025 (In Progress)
- Registration Period: June 16 – July 25, 2025
- Course Duration: August 4 – September 29, 2025
- Final Exam Date: October 12, 2025
Batch 4 – October 2025 (Upcoming)
- Registration Period: September 1 – September 26, 2025
- Course Duration: October 6 – December 1, 2025
- Final Exam Date: December 14, 2025
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | IITM School Connect |
| Launched By | IIT Madras (Centre for Outreach and Digital Education – CODE) |
| Target Audience | School students in Classes X, XI, and XII |
| Objective | Early exposure to STEM, career guidance, democratizing quality education |
| Course Duration | 8-week online certificate courses |
| Course Structure | Recorded videos, live sessions (Saturdays), assignments, computer-based tests |
| Course Frequency | 4 batches per year |
| Initial Courses | Introduction to Data Science and AI, Electronic Systems |
| Expanded Offerings | Courses in Law, Math, Architecture, Biology, Ecology, Aerospace, Humanities |
| Certification | E-certificates from IIT Madras CODE |
| Partnership Model | Non-commercial, school partnerships with SPOC and dashboard access |
| Fee | ₹500 per student |
| Reach So Far | 500+ schools, 11,000+ students in the first batch |
| Further Opportunities | Entry into IIT Madras BS programs via qualifier exam |
| Website | IIT Madras School Connect Website |
IIT Madras Rolls Out ‘School Connect’: Bridging the Gap Between School and Higher Education
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has launched a groundbreaking initiative, ‘IITM School Connect’, designed to empower school students, particularly those in Classes X, XI, and XII, with early exposure to emerging fields and enable them to make informed decisions about their future academic and career paths.
This flagship outreach program, spearheaded by the Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE) at IIT Madras, aims to democratize quality education and cultivate early interest in science, technology, and related disciplines.
Objectives and Vision
The core mission of IITM School Connect is multifaceted:
- Cultivating Early Interest: To ignite curiosity and passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields among young minds.
- Career-Aligned Academic Paths: To help students explore various academic and career options, providing insights into diverse disciplines.
- Foundational Understanding: To offer a foundational understanding of cutting-edge subjects, preparing students for higher education.
- Democratizing Education: To make IIT Madras’s high-quality introductory courses widely accessible to school students across India and beyond.
Prof. Andrew Thangaraj, Chair, Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE), IIT Madras, emphasized the institute’s commitment, stating, “As India’s top institute, IIT Madras sees it as our social responsibility to help school students explore various career options at an early stage while they are still in school.”
Program Structure and Course Offerings
The School Connect program primarily offers 8-week online certificate courses, meticulously designed by IIT Madras professors with content tailored specifically for school students. These courses are offered across four batches per year, providing flexibility for students to balance their school curriculum.
Initially, the program rolled out with two key courses:
- Introduction to Data Science and AI: This course introduces students to the world of data, how to work with it, create intelligent ideas, and build projects.
- Introduction to Electronic Systems: This course provides foundational knowledge of electronic components and circuits, essential for further studies in engineering and technology.
Due to overwhelming demand and the program’s success, IIT Madras has significantly expanded its course offerings to include:
- Introduction to Architecture & Design (Offered by SPA Vijayawada)
- Introduction to Engineering Biological Systems
- Fun with Math and Computing (Offered by IIT Gandhinagar)
- Introduction to Law (Offered by NALSAR Hyderabad)
- Math Unplugged: Games & Puzzles
- The Fundamentals of Aerospace
- Introduction to Ecology (Offered by IISER Tirupati)
- Humanities Unplugged
These courses feature recorded lecture videos, live interactive sessions (typically on Saturdays), biweekly assignments, and computer-based assessments for certification. Upon successful completion of course requirements, students receive official e-certificates from IIT Madras CODE.
Target Audience and Partnership Model
The program targets students in Class X, XI, and XII from partnered schools. IIT Madras actively invites schools across the country to collaborate, offering a non-commercial partnership model. Schools are required to:
- Nominate a teacher as a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to coordinate with IIT Madras.
- Submit an Expression of Interest to formalize the partnership.
- Encourage student enrollment.
- Collect a nominal fee of ₹500 per student and remit it to IIT Madras.
- Monitor student progress through a dedicated dashboard provided to the SPOC.
The program also provides an exclusive opportunity for Class XII students to potentially enter IIT Madras’s non-campus 4-year BS Degree programs in Data Science and Applications and Electronic Systems. Students who complete their Class XI final exams can attempt a qualifier exam to gain admission into the foundation level of these BS degrees even while still studying Class XII.
Impact and Future Outlook
The ‘IITM School Connect’ initiative has garnered substantial interest and positive feedback since its inception. As of recent reports, over 500 schools across India have partnered with IIT Madras, and as many as 11,000 students were enrolled in the first batch alone.
Prof. Prathap Haridoss, Dean (Academic Courses), IIT Madras, highlighted the program’s effectiveness: “It is heartening to see school students independently building remotely-controlled robots. Students pursuing the Data Science course have engaged in hands-on projects, using datasets to extract meaningful insights. Courses such as these expose the students to the various disciplines and help children identify their interests and strengths.”
The program’s success underscores IIT Madras’s commitment to nurturing young talent and preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of the future. The institute plans to introduce more short-term programs across various disciplines, further expanding its reach and impact on school education nationwide.
For further information and partnership inquiries, interested schools can visit the official IIT Madras School Connect website.
FAQs on IITM School Connect Program
What is the IITM School Connect program?
IITM School Connect is an outreach initiative by IIT Madras to offer online STEM courses to school students in Classes X, XI, and XII, aiming to bridge the gap between school and higher education.
Who is eligible to participate in the program?
Students currently studying in Class X, XI, or XII from schools partnered with IIT Madras are eligible to enroll in the courses.
What are the main objectives of the program?
The program aims to spark early interest in STEM fields, provide academic and career guidance, offer foundational knowledge in emerging subjects, and make quality education widely accessible.
How are the courses structured?
Courses are 8 weeks long and include recorded lectures, live Saturday sessions, biweekly assignments, and computer-based assessments.
How many batches are offered in a year?
Four batches are offered annually, allowing flexibility for students to balance their school curriculum with the program.
Are the courses live or recorded?
Courses feature both recorded lecture videos and live interactive sessions, usually held on Saturdays.
What is the fee for the program?
A nominal fee of ₹500 per student is charged and collected by the school, then remitted to IIT Madras.
Do students receive a certificate after completion?
Yes, students who successfully complete course requirements receive an official e-certificate from IIT Madras CODE.
What subjects are covered in the courses?
Courses include Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Electronic Systems, Architecture & Design, Engineering Biological Systems, Law, Ecology, Math (Games & Puzzles), Aerospace, and Humanities.
Who designs and teaches the courses?
Courses are designed and delivered by professors from IIT Madras and partnering institutions like NALSAR, IISER Tirupati, SPA Vijayawada, and IIT Gandhinagar.
Can students from any school in India join the program?
Yes, any school in India can partner with IIT Madras by submitting an Expression of Interest and fulfilling basic participation criteria.
What is required from a partnering school?
The school must nominate a teacher as a Single Point of Contact (SPOC), promote student enrollment, collect the fee, and monitor progress using a provided dashboard.
Is this program commercial?
No, IITM School Connect operates under a non-commercial partnership model with schools.
Can students join IIT Madras after completing the program?
Yes, Class XII students may qualify for direct entry into IIT Madras’s BS degree programs in Data Science and Applications or Electronic Systems through a qualifier exam.
Is the program only for science students?
No, the program includes interdisciplinary courses such as Law and Humanities, making it suitable for students with varied interests.
Are there any prerequisites to enroll in the courses?
There are no specific prerequisites beyond being a student in Class X to XII; courses are designed to be accessible at the school level.
How does the SPOC monitor student progress?
IIT Madras provides a dashboard for SPOCs to track enrollment, attendance, assignment submissions, and certification status.
Can students from outside India participate?
While the program is designed for Indian schools, it is open to students beyond India if their schools partner and meet the participation criteria.
What are the benefits for students participating in this program?
Students gain early exposure to cutting-edge subjects, hands-on learning experiences, academic certifications, and potential pathways to IIT Madras degree programs.
How successful has the program been so far?
Over 11,000 students and more than 500 schools have already participated, and feedback has been highly positive, highlighting student engagement in practical projects and self-driven learning.
How can schools express interest in joining the program?
Schools can visit the official IIT Madras School Connect website and submit an Expression of Interest to start the partnership process.
Are the courses difficult for school students?
No, the courses are specially designed to match the learning levels of school students and include ample support through live sessions and assignments.
What is the role of IIT Madras in this program?
IIT Madras designs, manages, and certifies the courses, coordinates with partner schools, and ensures quality delivery through its CODE department.
What support do students receive during the course?
Students have access to live Q&A sessions, interactive lectures, recorded materials, and guidance through regular assessments.
Can a student take more than one course?
Yes, students can enroll in multiple courses across different batches, depending on their interest and availability.
Is the program aligned with the school curriculum?
While not directly aligned, it complements the school curriculum by introducing foundational concepts in emerging academic and career fields.
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