Sabeer Bhatia, the founder of Hotmail – now known as Microsoft Outlook – has triggered a debate on the relevance of IIT programs, saying that “Stanford teaches what is happening now, a large part of the Iit Academia is stuck in the past.”
The concern about the Iit’s obsolete studies program is not new. Critics argue that the emphasis on theory leaves graduates not prepared for modern roles of employment which require practical experience in AI, data science, blockchain and emerging technologies. The slow pace of curriculum updates and rigid course structures further limit the integration of industry and interdisciplinary learning trends.
In an article on X (formerly Twitter), Bhatia wrote: “Stanford teaches what is going on now, while a large part of the Iit Academia is stuck in the past. I entered Apple on my notes, but I built hotmail when I learned at work. Today, free internet knowledge is the real teacher. Innovation has just done, not just studying. »»
His remarks resonated with a lot. A user noted that despite efforts to provide practical learning in the academic world, resistance remains. “Okay, I have taught a practical course on innovation in IIM-A since the last decade, in partnership with a company, by keeping it as real as possible, minimum theory, learn by doing. It is very popular with students … But some of the teachers without security, focused on clicks, doctoral students, obsessed with universities do not lose the opportunity to pass it. »»
Another underlined the labor market as proof of the problem. “Crimousing, 36% of the last lot of the Iit Bombay failed to obtain investments in the midst of a labor market in narrowing. This crisis points out the urgent need to align study programs on industry requirements and meet systemic unemployment among young people in India. »»
However, not everyone agreed with the evaluation of Bhatia. A user replied: “Respectfully sir, your information seems to be extremely dated. Even in 2011, the teachers of the Iit Kanpur CS were teaching advanced courses… Our IA / ML lessons taught us all the fundamental aspects to train our own neuronal nets and CNNs at the time. The user has highlighted the collaborations of the industry and learning opportunities based on Iit projects, arguing that Stanford’s advantage comes more from its Silicon Valley links than a lack of innovation in IIT.
Another has adopted a more philosophical approach: “Stanford’s Edge lies in its impulse on real -time relevance compared to tradition by heart – while Iit, for all their rigor, can calcify in obsolete frames. Your Apple grade path, then hotmail via the practical grain, proves that free internet knowledge is a great equalizer … Open degrees, but make empires. »»
Bhatia’s comments have rekindled the debate on the question of whether Iit need a overhaul of the program to remain relevant in an evolving technological landscape.
