The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has launched an industry-oriented finishing school to equip young graduates with practical skills required by India’s growing biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors.
The programme, named UDYOG (Upskilling and Development for YOung Graduates), seeks to bridge the gap between academic education and industry requirements through online learning, intensive laboratory training, pilot-scale exposure and potential industry internships.
The first batch is scheduled to commence on January 18, 2027, with early-bird registration closing on December 15, 2026.
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, inaugurated the IITM-Biofoundry Finishing School – UDYOG on October 21, 2026, at the institute’s campus in the presence of faculty members, students, researchers and industry stakeholders.
The programme is being launched through SynBioME, the IIT Madras-TICEL Biofoundry, which focuses on biotechnology research, innovation, biomanufacturing and skill development.
It is coordinated by Prof. Guhan Jayaraman of the Department of Biotechnology at IIT Madras, who serves as the principal coordinator.
Three-stage training programme
UDYOG will follow a three-stage training pathway designed to help participants transition from academic learning to practical industrial applications.
The first stage consists of three months of online learning delivered through the Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE) at IIT Madras. The curriculum will be supplemented by lectures from industry experts and demonstration videos illustrating industrial practices.
Participants who successfully complete the online component will be considered for selection for a four-week intensive, hands-on training programme at the IIT Madras Biofoundry. This stage will provide practical exposure to laboratory processes and biomanufacturing workflows.
In the third stage, selected participants may get opportunities to engage with industry partners and attend interviews for long-term internships, potentially opening a pathway to workplace experience.
The programme is intended for pre-final-year and final-year B.Tech., M.Tech. and M.Sc. students pursuing biotechnology and allied disciplines at colleges and institutes across India.
Addressing industry skill requirements
The initiative comes amid growing demand for professionals with practical expertise in industrial processes, analytical techniques, process development and regulatory practices across biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries.
IIT Madras Director Prof V Kamakoti said, “AI also means Academia-Industry. It is becoming an absolute necessity that every discipline of Science and Engineering must look at this AI with care to make themselves relevant to the modern world. UDYOG is yet another effort taken by IIT Madras in this direction.”
Prof. Guhan Jayaraman, Principal Coordinator of SynBioME and faculty member of the Department of Biotechnology at IIT Madras, said the programme would complement academic knowledge with industry-relevant training.
“India’s biotechnology and biopharmaceutical sectors are expanding at a rapid pace. This is leading to a growing demand for professionals with practical expertise in industrial processes, analytical techniques, process development and regulatory practices. UDYOG seeks to address this demand by complementing academic knowledge with industry-relevant training and exposure to real-world biomanufacturing practices,” he said.
Chella Pandian Pitchai, AVP and Global Head of DEI, Culture, Values and Belongingness, Youth and Women Development at Biocon, welcomed the initiative, highlighting the importance of industry exposure, internships and mentorship in preparing young biotechnology professionals for the workplace.
Supporting India’s bioeconomy
Through its combination of digital education, laboratory training and potential industry engagement, UDYOG aims to strengthen the pipeline of skilled professionals for India’s biotechnology and biomanufacturing industries.
The initiative is also expected to support the country’s broader ambitions to expand its bioeconomy by developing specialised skills and strengthening advanced manufacturing capabilities.
By connecting academic education with practical industrial exposure, IIT Madras is seeking to prepare young graduates for the technical and professional demands of a rapidly evolving biotechnology sector.