IITs need to take more foreign students: S Ramadorai

Observing that IITs need to develop a more "outward looking" profile to achieve higher global rankings, advisor to Prime Minister on skills development S Ramadorai on Sunday favoured having significant number of foreign students in these institutes.

"Clearly the IITs cannot be among the top global institutions without a significant proportion of foreign students," Ramadorai said delivering the 43rd convocation address of IIT Delhi.

He also suggested student participation in innovation and well funded collaborative projects while studying B.Tech which could lead to increased numbers going for P.hD programme.

"In the days to come could we also see the IITs being consulted by the government on say technology policy. Even if it is a slow start, the learning curve in such consultations would be invaluable to both IITs and the country in the long run," he said.

As India is largely a technology importer, Ramadorai said the trend needs to be reversed with the close interaction IITs and Indian industry. "Industry in turn need to be ready to partner and fund medium to long term R&D research at the IITs".

Leveraging on the brand name of the IITs, he said these institutes can position themselves more powerfully by tapping on the opportunities available in different sectors in keeping with the future tends and requirements in mind.

About 1,786 pass-outs, of whom 199 are Ph.D holders were present at the convocation function on Sunday.