Full Breakdown
IIT Madras Launches UDYOG Finishing School to Equip Biotechnology Graduates with Industry Skills
By Drooid · · How we work
Programme Overview and Schedule
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has introduced UDYOG (Upskilling and Development for Young Graduates), an industry-oriented finishing school aimed at biotechnology and biomanufacturing graduates. The first cohort is slated to begin on January 18, 2027, and early-bird registration closed on December 15, 2026. The programme is open to pre-final-year and final-year BTech, MTech, and MSc students in biotechnology and related disciplines from colleges across India.
Three-Stage Training Structure
UDYOG follows a sequential three-stage format:
1. Online Learning (three months) – Delivered through IIT Madras’s Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE), the module features lectures by industry experts and demonstration videos of industrial practices.
2. Hands-On Laboratory Training (four weeks) – Successful online participants are invited to the IIT Madras Biofoundry for practical work on laboratory processes and biomanufacturing workflows.
3. Industry Exposure and Internships – Graduates may receive mentorship, interview opportunities, and long-term internships with partner companies, facilitating the transition from academia to the workplace.
Institutional Rationale
IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti highlighted that the rapid expansion of India’s biotechnology and biopharmaceutical sectors has created a shortage of professionals with practical, process-oriented expertise. He emphasized the need to align scientific education with evolving industry demands.
Professor Guhan Jayaraman, coordinator of the programme, noted that employers increasingly require knowledge of industrial processes, analytical techniques, process development, and regulatory practices—skills that traditional curricula often lack.
Chella Pandian Pitchai, associate vice-president and global head of diversity, equity and inclusion at Biocon, argued that internships and industry mentorship embedded in UDYOG will help students apply classroom learning in real-world settings and improve career readiness.
Expected Impact
By integrating online theory, laboratory practice, and direct industry interaction, UDYOG aims to reduce the skills gap that hampers hiring in the biotechnology sector. The initiative is expected to produce a pipeline of graduates equipped for roles in biomanufacturing, thereby supporting the sector’s growth and enhancing India’s competitiveness in the global biotech market.
What’s Next
Prospective candidates must submit an expression of interest via the official UDYOG website. Selection for the laboratory and industry phases will be based on performance in the online component, with final placements coordinated through partner firms.