IIT Indore Launches Key Schools for Sustainability & Biomedical Engineering

IIT Indore, in partnership with the Mehta Foundation, has launched two new schools focused on sustainability and biomedical engineering, offering innovative programmes to address global challenges. These schools aim to train students in cutting-edge fields, from environmental economics to AI-driven healthcare. This article explores the schools’ objectives, curricula, and their potential impact on India’s education and innovation landscape.

The Mehta Family School of Sustainability offers a BTech in Environmental Economics with Sustainable Engineering, a first-of-its-kind programme blending engineering, science, and economics. It also includes three postgraduate programmes and a PhD track, aiming to graduate over 400 undergraduates and train 1,000 professionals in five years. The curriculum focuses on practical solutions for climate change, such as renewable energy systems and sustainable infrastructure, with collaboration from industry and government.

The Mehta Family School of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering introduces a BTech in medical devices, clinical data analytics, and AI for healthcare, alongside postgraduate and PhD programmes. The school targets training 500 students in five years, expanding to 1,500 in a decade. Its curriculum integrates biology, engineering, and data science, with hands-on learning through Breakerspace and Makerspace labs. Partnerships with AIIMS Bhopal and MGM Medical College, Indore, provide clinical immersion opportunities.

A key focus of the biomedical school is combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly tuberculosis, through collaboration with seven Central Indian universities. It will also support a bio-manufacturing hub for smart protein production and enzyme design, targeting Technology Readiness Levels 3 to 7 for prototype development. This aligns with India’s push for innovation in healthcare and biomanufacturing.

The sustainability school addresses India’s environmental challenges, such as urban pollution and resource scarcity. Its interdisciplinary approach equips students to design low-carbon solutions, like cement-free concrete, which IIT Indore has pioneered to cut CO2 emissions by 80%. The school’s executive programmes will train professionals in green technologies, supporting India’s net-zero goals by 2070.

Challenges include scaling faculty and infrastructure to meet demand. With 1.23 million students appearing for JEE Main 2025, interest in these programmes is high, requiring robust facilities. Industry partnerships will be crucial to fund research and provide real-world applications. The Mehta Foundation’s prior collaborations with IITs in Madras, Guwahati, and Roorkee demonstrate its commitment to STEM education, ensuring support for these initiatives.

The schools position IIT Indore as a leader in emerging fields. The sustainability focus aligns with global trends, such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, while the biomedical school addresses critical healthcare needs. By fostering innovation and interdisciplinary learning, these programmes could drive India’s progress in sustainable development and medical technology.

IIT Indore’s new schools mark a significant step in addressing global challenges through education and research. By training students in sustainability and biomedical engineering, the institute is preparing a workforce to tackle climate change and healthcare innovation, contributing to India’s leadership in these fields.

Source:India Today