Private universities swoop down at IITs for faculty roles

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have become fertile grounds for other universities to hire for professor roles to improve their global standings and meet faculty needs as they expand campuses.

- Pratishtha Bagai & Devina Sengupta

A clutch of private universities has registered as recruiters for master's and doctorate degree holders from IITs to teach mathematics, chemistry and physics to their students, placement executives and students told Mint. The median compensation offered is ₹12-15 lakh a year, on a par with the median pay offered by companies hiring from older IITs.

"The universities are usually looking at master's and PhD students who will help the universities up their international rankings," said Suchindra Kumar, partner and leader-education, PwC India.

"IITs have one of the best research ecosystems in the country, which can help private universities in enhancing their research and peer perception," he said, adding that a positive brand image of IITs helps them draw more students and faculty.

IITs are the country's most sought-after technology institutes. Lakhs of students every year attempt to be among the 17,760 candidates selected for courses at the 23 IITs. And companies line up to hire the best graduates passing out from these institutes.