Empowering Future Leaders: IIT Faculty Training Program for Directorship

Promising faculty members at the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are set to undergo a comprehensive two-year training program aimed at preparing them for future directorship roles.

This initiative, spearheaded by IIT Bombay, will require all IITs to nominate high-performing faculty with exceptional academic and research credentials.

Officials have indicated that the government is prioritizing the grooming of distinguished academics for directorship positions and may also collaborate with the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for additional support.

The proposed leadership training program is designed to accommodate approximately 300 to 350 of the most promising faculty members and will consist of three modules, each lasting a week, spread over two years.

Only faculty members with strong academic and research backgrounds will be nominated by the IITs, ensuring a high standard of candidates.

A draft structure for the program, along with selection criteria, has already been established. IIT Bombay has been tasked with leading the program and assembling a dedicated implementation team.

The training will focus on developing behavioral competencies, functional skills, and specific domain knowledge, emphasizing a student-centric approach and collaborative mindset.

The director of an IIT plays a crucial role as the principal academic and executive officer, responsible for the institution's administration, educational quality, and discipline. Directors are selected through a rigorous process involving public advertisement, evaluation by a Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC), and final approval by the Visitor, who is the President of India.

The tenure for directors is typically five years or until they reach 70 years of age, with appointments made on a contractual basis.