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IIT-I launches new BTech programmes in AI healthcare, environmental economics

IIT-I launches new BTech programmes in AI healthcare, environmental economics

Time of India5 days ago
Indore: The Indian Institute of Technology, Indore (IIT-I), launched a first-of-its-kind BTech programme focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and medical device innovations and BTech in environmental economics and sustainable engineering.
These programmes are part of two academic schools launched in collaboration with Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta Family Foundation (MFF).
IIT-I in collaboration with MFF has launched School of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering with a focus on AI in healthcare and bioinformatics, drug discovery, fundamental molecular biology, bio-manufacturing, and wearable health technologies. It will work on developing data-driven solutions for endemics such as chikungunya and dengue, and combating the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
As part of the collaboration, a bio-manufacturing hub, an industry-focused facility to enable technical de-risking of enzyme, smart proteins, and API manufacturing scale-up in India, has been planned to be set up.
Another initiative is School of Sustainability, which will focus on energy systems and battery technology, environmental economics and environmental law and water and climate studies as the research verticals.
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IIT-I director Dr Suhas Joshi said, "This collaboration with the Mehta Family Foundation is not just about two schools — it is about a new chapter in IIT Indore's evolution. It exemplifies how academic excellence, international collaboration, and social vision can intersect to address real-world challenges."
The institute stated that there is a growing need to strengthen indigenous bio-manufacturing capabilities to ensure timely, affordable, and scalable access to vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
MFF founder Rahul Mehta said, "India needs institutions that can generate intellectual capital to lead sustainable development and healthcare reform. I am confident that IIT Indore, with its talent and location at the heart of India, will become a beacon of interdisciplinary excellence."
Under the School of Sustainability, three Centres of Excellence will be established to drive solutions and policy-relevant research. The institute aims to educate over 1,500 sustainability professionals over the next 10 years through undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes.
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