IIT-M launches Finishing School to develop industry-ready biotechnology professionals

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) has launched an industry-oriented finishing school to equip young graduates with practical skills and professional competencies required by the biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors.

‘UDYOG’ (Upskilling and Development for YOung Graduates) aims to bridge the gap between academic education and industry requirements through a structured training pathway. It combines online courses, intensive laboratory training, pilot-scale exposure and opportunities for industry internships.

The first batch of the Finishing School is scheduled to commence on 18th  January 2027, and the early-bird registration closes on 15th  December 2026.

The programme is intended for pre-final-year and final-year students, who are pursuing B.Tech., M.Tech. and M.Sc. degrees in biotechnology and allied disciplines, across all colleges and institutes in India.

It is being launched through SynBioME – the IIT Madras-TICEL Biofoundry, which focuses on advancing biotechnology research, innovation, biomanufacturing and skill development. It is coordinated by Prof. Guhan Jayaraman, Professor, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, who serves as the Principal Coordinator.

The finishing school will follow a three-stage training pathway. The first stage comprises three months of online learning delivered through Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE), IIT Madras, supplemented by lectures from industry experts and demonstration videos illustrating industrial practices.

Participants who successfully complete the online component will be considered for selection to four-week intensive hands-on training program at the IIT Madras Biofoundry. The practical component is designed to provide exposure to laboratory processes and biomanufacturing workflows.

Following the hands-on training, selected participants may have opportunities to engage with industry partners and participate in interviews for long-term internships, providing a potential pathway from academic learning to workplace experience.