Students qualifying for global Olympiads in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & Informatics are now eligible to apply for direct admission at the Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur. This alternative means of bagging a seat in the prestigious college will promote the concept of global-level exams in the nation, broadening the scope of the niche olympiad tests, added reports.
Qualifying for Olympiads is enough proof of abilities: Nitin Saxena, UGARC Chairman
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According to Nitin Saxena, Chairman of the Undergraduate Academic Programme Review Committee (UGARC) at IIT Kanpur, around 6 students represent India at internationally-acclaimed Olympiads. These candidates already go through a tough preparation process through the government-held Olympiads, he added. As such, qualifying for these exams is enough proof of their abilities and they need not be tested separately through the mandatory IIT-JEE exam.
It has been noted that several such students eventually go to study abroad and thus, the new framework is a means to retain their exceptional talent, culture and polish it in India only, he added. While these students are eligible for a direct seat at the institute, the final decision regarding their admission will remain with the IIT.
The alternate method does not ensure guaranteed admission
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The IIT is yet to establish a final protocol for the admission process. Reportedly, students eligible for Olympiads can apply to the department of their subject of specialisation. After this, the respective department can decide whether to conduct a screening, accept or disqualify the candidature of the student. The student’s application will be relayed to the management at IIT after this, for a final decision.
As informed by the Chairman, this is just an alternative means to secure a seat in the IIT. There is no guarantee that the applicant will secure a seat. The mechanism is simply based on an agreement that the student does not have to sit for the IIT-JEE exam. However, several parameters will be considered to offer admission to the most qualified students via this method, he added.
Promoting the concept of Olympiads among all
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The present-day knowledge and awareness regarding Olympiads is very restricted among students and parents, informed Partha Halder, HOD Chemistry and Academic Head of the FIITJEE Group. The institute itself screens and introduces only the best of the batch for the global-level tests, he informed.
Moreover, Olympiads are a niche test and not a mass exam and thus many students do not even consider attempting it. Using this as means to enter one of the country’s top-ranked engineering colleges is not a popular concept. For parents too, it is rather confusing to differentiate between the local level and government-held tests. It’s a long road until the idea of Olympiads becomes common for students and their folks, the HOD concluded.
