Select faculty members from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) may soon undergo a structured leadership training programme to prepare them for future director-level roles, officials said. The proposed
two-year initiative will be led by IIT Bombay, with all IITs expected to nominate faculty members based on their academic and research performance, as reported by news agency PTI.
The proposal is currently under examination by the government. Officials said the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) may also be involved in designing or supporting parts of the
programme.“Based on the discussion held, it has been recommended that a leadership training programme may be initiated with a target to train about 300-350 most promising faculty members of IITs, designing a 2-year programme with three modules of a week each per year,” an official said.
“IITs will be asked to nominate only high-performing faculty members with strong academic and research credentials,” the official added.
According to officials, a draft structure of the programme and broad selection criteria have already been prepared. “IIT Bombay has been designated to lead the programme and set up a team to implement it. Support from IIMs may also be sought for the programme,” the official said.
Each batch is expected to be trained and mentored over a period of two years. The selection criteria will focus on academic and research strength, commitment to student development through a student-centric approach, and the ability to think strategically and work collaboratively.
The training will include modules on behavioural and functional competencies, along with select domain-specific areas.
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At present, the director of an IIT serves as the institute’s chief academic and executive officer and is responsible for administration, teaching standards and discipline. Directors are supported by deans and heads of departments on academic and research matters.
IIT directors are appointed through a multi-stage process that includes a public advertisement, evaluation by a Search-cum-Selection Committee, and final approval by the Visitor, the President of India. The appointment is made on a contractual basis for five years or until the appointee attains the age of 70, whichever is earlier.
