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The Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur has launched a BTech in Hindi program, which is the first in the world. This offers students an opportunity to earn their engineering degree in a native language. This initiative, announced just a few weeks ago, aims to bridge a gap for students who may struggle to comprehend technical concepts in English. This year, 120 students chose this program. The majority of them are from Rajasthan, and they have shown a strong interest in receiving engineering education in Hindi.
IIT Jodhpur will celebrate the enthusiastic enrollment of its Hindi BTech Program on September 14, 2024. This coincides with Hindi Divas. The initiative allows students the opportunity to study in a "non-English language" (Hinglish), which is a mix of Hindi and English. The decision to provide a Hindi medium option is a major step towards inclusivity and accommodating students of diverse linguistic backgrounds.
This decision was carefully considered, as it recognized the difficulties faced by many students when attempting to understand complex engineering concepts using a language that they do not speak fluently. While the technical terms will remain in English, discussions and explanations can be conducted in Hindi. This makes it easier for students to understand who may have difficulty with English.
There is a noticeable gender distribution among the 120 students enrolled for the Hindi BTech: 106 men and 14 women. This gender breakdown highlights a trend that has been observed in the engineering field where male students are more numerous than female students. Rajasthan is the state with the most students (49), followed by Maharashtra (14) and Uttar Pradesh (12) before Bihar. (11).
This demographic distribution highlights the regional interest in the program, particularly in Rajasthan, where students have shown a strong preference for pursuing their education in Hindi.
The Hindi BTech program has been designed to provide a rigorous education for all students, regardless of their language of instruction. Students who prefer Hindi are grouped with students studying in English, but the professors will remain the same. The dual approach allows students to benefit from the same academic rigor and ensure that their education is consistent.
Students can also switch sections if the English medium is what they prefer. This flexibility is important in helping students develop their language skills and prepare them for a full transition to English at the end of their studies.
IIT Jodhpur believes that the Hindi BTech Program will have a positive impact on the future of the institute. The institute will closely monitor this batch's progress and determine if this initiative can be extended to second-year students the following academic season. The institute wants to allow students to start their studies in Hindi and equip them with skills that will allow them to transition to English in the future, thus increasing their employability in a globalized market.
It is a great effort that the Hindi BTech Program at IIT Jodhpur has been introduced to increase accessibility in technical education. This program addresses the linguistic barrier that many students experience and opens the door for those who felt intimidated before by the language of instruction.
Platforms like PracBee, as we look to the future, can play an important role in supporting student journeys. This is especially true for those students who might need extra resources to help them navigate their academic path. PracBee, which is known for its commitment to educational excellence, can offer tailored programs and mentoring to help students succeed in their chosen fields. IIT Jodhpur sets an example for other Indian institutions by fostering a learning environment in which students can study in the language that they feel most comfortable in. This promotes inclusivity and diversity across higher education.
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IIT-Delhi, IIM-Lucknow
IIT Delhi. 14+ Years of experience as Academics Head & Mentor
