The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has increased the variety of courses available through its ‘School Connect’ Program. Previously, only two courses, namely Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and Electronic Systems, were offered; however, the program now features 10 online hands-on certificate courses for students in Classes 10, 11, and 12 from schools across the nation. These courses will span a duration of eight weeks.
Registration for the August 2025 batch is currently open, and schools can register and enroll their students at code.iitm.ac.in/schoolconnect/ until July 25.
Emphasizing the institute’s commitment to school engagement, Prof V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, stated, “At IIT Madras, we believe that early exposure to emerging fields can ignite curiosity and cultivate future innovators. By empowering students during their formative years, we are investing in a nation prepared for the future.”
The School Connect Program is a premier outreach initiative by the Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE) at IIT Madras, designed to bridge the divide between school education and higher education.
This initiative enables school students—particularly those in Classes 10, 11, and 12—to delve into emerging fields and make informed choices regarding their future academic and career trajectories. The courses will also feature assignments and an optional project to provide a practical experience.
These programs are conducted in three batches during this academic year in August, October, and January, allowing schools and students to engage with up to three courses each year.
The courses being offered include:
- Introduction to Data Science and AI
- Introduction to Electronic Systems
- Introduction to Architecture & Design
- Fun with Math and Computing
- Math Unplugged: Games & Puzzles
- Introduction to Ecology
- Introduction to Engineering Biological Systems
- Introduction to Law
- The Fundamentals of Aerospace
- Humanities Unplugged
The Institute, in a statement released regarding this matter, announced that it will be initiating additional short-term programmes in various disciplines in the near future to familiarize students with a range of study areas. “These programmes will provide a distinctive opportunity for students to investigate various career options and acquire practical knowledge relevant to their future academic pursuits,” it further stated.
