Hello everyone,
In this blog post, I will be talking about the M.Tech in Data Science & Engineering program offered by BITS Pilani through the WILP mode. I will discuss my motivation to pursue this program, what are my initial thoughts on this program, and other aspects of the course.
Important Disclaimer: Please note that this post has to be taken only as advice and not a formal directive from the university. I am not paid to write this post nor do I take any responsibility that arises if you decide to make a decision based on my post.
Introduction:
BITS Pilani is one of the top private universities in India, perhaps only second to the public IITs, which every engineering aspirant aspires to complete engineering from.
WILP mode is a unique methodology introduced by BITS Pilani to bridge the gap existing between working professionals wanting to study further without quitting their jobs.
WILP is an acronym for Work Integrated Learning Programs wherein, to pursue this course, a student has to satisfy all the below conditions (without any exceptions):
- The student should have completed his B.E./B.Tech./MCA/M.Sc./or an equivalent degree with at least 60% aggregate marks.
- The student should be currently employed
- The student should have been employed for a minimum of 1 year
- The student should obtain consent from the company to pursue this program
- The student should choose a mentor in the company (preferably his/her current manager) and that person should agree to be the student's mentor for the course by providing direction and help the student from time to time.
More details about the programs offered can be found here: https://bits-pilani-wilp.ac.in/m-tech.php
More details about the M.Tech. in Data Science & Engineering can be found here: https://bits-pilani-wilp.ac.in/m-tech/cluster/data-science-and-engineering.php
My motivation to pursue this program:
I have a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Mumbai which I had completed in 2013.
Soon after, I started working with L&T Infotech in August 2013 where I am currently employed.
I have always wanted to pursue a postgraduate degree in engineering since my college days but I lacked the temperament and motivation to sit for the GATE exam partly because there is not much of a difference between the salaries earned on completion of an M.Tech degree and a B.Tech degree (if not obtained from the old IITs) and I also had a job offer and at that point in time, I decided to work for a few years before deciding to answer on the age old question of what after engineering - M.Tech. or M.B.A.?
I was on a work assignment outside India for close to four years and I decided that when I will be back in India, I will try and pursue this program. As of April 2020, the field of data science and engineering is in demand and there is a dearth of professionals who can work with data to provide valuable business insights - this is what I want to work on and hence I decided to apply for this program.
From what I have read and understood, it is better if you are in a few cities in India or Dubai in U.A.E. while pursuing this program because you need to give mid-semester examinations and comprehensive examinations in a few cities in India or Dubai in U.A.E. and if you are working abroad, it will be difficult to keep coming back to give the examinations and going back for work again.
Validity of this program:
This is the reason that many students are not inclined to pursue this program. I will share my thoughts on this.
As mentioned before, please take it with a pinch of salt, do your own research, and only then go ahead with your decision of wanting to pursue this program.
In India, the University Grants Commission (UGC) is the apex body which overlooks universities' functioning and decides which courses should be allowed by universities to offer.
This link provides information about BITS Pilani from the UGC website: https://www.ugc.ac.in/deemed_uniinfo.aspx?id=122
Under Distance Education, it says - Refer to UGC, Distance Education Bureau, 35 Ferozshah Road, New Delhi; or UGC Website: https://ugc.ac.in/deb
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is the body of the government which approves all engineering, pharmacy, management, hotel management, and architecture courses, among many other courses. AICTE has time and again stated that no university can offer B.E./B.Tech./M.E./M.Tech. programs in distance mode.
With only this directive, BITS Pilani cannot offer this program. What BITS Pilani time and again mentions is that, WILP courses are NOT distance learning courses. They are full time courses offered only to students who are currently working and have facilities at work to pursue this program. Therefore, they are not distance learning programs and thus directives from AICTE/UGC do not apply for these programs.
More on can be found here: https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/uploads/Pilani_Upload/WILP/Recent_SC_Verdict_And_WILP.pdf
Taken from the link above - "WILP are akin to programmes offered on campus, in terms of academic credits, curriculum, content, pedagogy, assessment methodology, and programme completion requirements. WILP represent an educational innovation that adapts to new demands for continuing education at the work place, that integrates work with education, and promotes continuous learning."
Thus, according to them, there is no difference between the on campus programs and the off campus programs.
However, this is what I have observed:
- The on campus programs follow the B.E./M.E. nomenclature and the off campus programs follow the B.Tech/M.Tech. nomenclature (earlier known as B.S./M.S. programs of BITS Pilani under WILP mode)
- A document on the BITS Pilani website, Profile of the Institute and Criteria Wise Inputs submitted for Re-accreditation to The National Assessment & Accreditation Council, states that they offer distance learning programs on page xxvii (it may be because they were not able to classify it properly as full time programs) here - https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/uploads/Pilani_Upload/NAAC/Part%20I%20NAAC%20SSR%20-%20BITS%20Pilani.pdf
In addition to this, I have also found that these programs, when they were called B.S./M.S. programs were granted recognition by the then Distance Education Council (DEC). This can be seen here on page 93 - https://ugc.ac.in/deb/pdf/Final_list_for_website_2014-15.pdf
This approval had been given from 1995-96 till 2007-08.
As per my reading, BITS Pilani has to seek program wise approval from UGC for each of their programs offered through the WILP mode.
I am sure they have approached the government in this aspect and the result will the positive given the quality of the program and university.
In this blog post, I will be talking about the M.Tech in Data Science & Engineering program offered by BITS Pilani through the WILP mode. I will discuss my motivation to pursue this program, what are my initial thoughts on this program, and other aspects of the course.
Important Disclaimer: Please note that this post has to be taken only as advice and not a formal directive from the university. I am not paid to write this post nor do I take any responsibility that arises if you decide to make a decision based on my post.
Introduction:
BITS Pilani is one of the top private universities in India, perhaps only second to the public IITs, which every engineering aspirant aspires to complete engineering from.
WILP mode is a unique methodology introduced by BITS Pilani to bridge the gap existing between working professionals wanting to study further without quitting their jobs.
WILP is an acronym for Work Integrated Learning Programs wherein, to pursue this course, a student has to satisfy all the below conditions (without any exceptions):
- The student should have completed his B.E./B.Tech./MCA/M.Sc./or an equivalent degree with at least 60% aggregate marks.
- The student should be currently employed
- The student should have been employed for a minimum of 1 year
- The student should obtain consent from the company to pursue this program
- The student should choose a mentor in the company (preferably his/her current manager) and that person should agree to be the student's mentor for the course by providing direction and help the student from time to time.
More details about the programs offered can be found here: https://bits-pilani-wilp.ac.in/m-tech.php
More details about the M.Tech. in Data Science & Engineering can be found here: https://bits-pilani-wilp.ac.in/m-tech/cluster/data-science-and-engineering.php
My motivation to pursue this program:
I have a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Mumbai which I had completed in 2013.
Soon after, I started working with L&T Infotech in August 2013 where I am currently employed.
I have always wanted to pursue a postgraduate degree in engineering since my college days but I lacked the temperament and motivation to sit for the GATE exam partly because there is not much of a difference between the salaries earned on completion of an M.Tech degree and a B.Tech degree (if not obtained from the old IITs) and I also had a job offer and at that point in time, I decided to work for a few years before deciding to answer on the age old question of what after engineering - M.Tech. or M.B.A.?
I was on a work assignment outside India for close to four years and I decided that when I will be back in India, I will try and pursue this program. As of April 2020, the field of data science and engineering is in demand and there is a dearth of professionals who can work with data to provide valuable business insights - this is what I want to work on and hence I decided to apply for this program.
From what I have read and understood, it is better if you are in a few cities in India or Dubai in U.A.E. while pursuing this program because you need to give mid-semester examinations and comprehensive examinations in a few cities in India or Dubai in U.A.E. and if you are working abroad, it will be difficult to keep coming back to give the examinations and going back for work again.
Validity of this program:
This is the reason that many students are not inclined to pursue this program. I will share my thoughts on this.
As mentioned before, please take it with a pinch of salt, do your own research, and only then go ahead with your decision of wanting to pursue this program.
In India, the University Grants Commission (UGC) is the apex body which overlooks universities' functioning and decides which courses should be allowed by universities to offer.
This link provides information about BITS Pilani from the UGC website: https://www.ugc.ac.in/deemed_uniinfo.aspx?id=122
Under Distance Education, it says - Refer to UGC, Distance Education Bureau, 35 Ferozshah Road, New Delhi; or UGC Website: https://ugc.ac.in/deb
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is the body of the government which approves all engineering, pharmacy, management, hotel management, and architecture courses, among many other courses. AICTE has time and again stated that no university can offer B.E./B.Tech./M.E./M.Tech. programs in distance mode.
With only this directive, BITS Pilani cannot offer this program. What BITS Pilani time and again mentions is that, WILP courses are NOT distance learning courses. They are full time courses offered only to students who are currently working and have facilities at work to pursue this program. Therefore, they are not distance learning programs and thus directives from AICTE/UGC do not apply for these programs.
More on can be found here: https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/uploads/Pilani_Upload/WILP/Recent_SC_Verdict_And_WILP.pdf
Taken from the link above - "WILP are akin to programmes offered on campus, in terms of academic credits, curriculum, content, pedagogy, assessment methodology, and programme completion requirements. WILP represent an educational innovation that adapts to new demands for continuing education at the work place, that integrates work with education, and promotes continuous learning."
Thus, according to them, there is no difference between the on campus programs and the off campus programs.
However, this is what I have observed:
- The on campus programs follow the B.E./M.E. nomenclature and the off campus programs follow the B.Tech/M.Tech. nomenclature (earlier known as B.S./M.S. programs of BITS Pilani under WILP mode)
- A document on the BITS Pilani website, Profile of the Institute and Criteria Wise Inputs submitted for Re-accreditation to The National Assessment & Accreditation Council, states that they offer distance learning programs on page xxvii (it may be because they were not able to classify it properly as full time programs) here - https://www.bits-pilani.ac.in/uploads/Pilani_Upload/NAAC/Part%20I%20NAAC%20SSR%20-%20BITS%20Pilani.pdf
In addition to this, I have also found that these programs, when they were called B.S./M.S. programs were granted recognition by the then Distance Education Council (DEC). This can be seen here on page 93 - https://ugc.ac.in/deb/pdf/Final_list_for_website_2014-15.pdf
This approval had been given from 1995-96 till 2007-08.
As per my reading, BITS Pilani has to seek program wise approval from UGC for each of their programs offered through the WILP mode.
I am sure they have approached the government in this aspect and the result will the positive given the quality of the program and university.
Update as of 13/11/2020:
Finally, UGC has approved all WILP programs conducted by BITS Pilani.
This is fantastic news for all students who are pursuing these programs and future students as well. No tension regarding validity of programs.
The update on the WILP website: https://bits-pilani-wilp.ac.in/resource/ugc-approval.php
The official link: https://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/4225371_Minutes-548-th-.pdf (Turn to page 4).
What Next?
Students may want to pursue their doctoral studies (Ph.D.) after this program - they can do so provided the university offering Ph.D. accepts this program. I know of one student who is doing his Ph.D. at IIT Delhi who has completed his M.S/M.Tech. through the WILP mode. His information can be found here - http://www.cse.iitd.ernet.in/~anupam/cv.html
This program is also valid for immigration purposes to Canada and many students have got Master's Degree equivalency for this degree from WES. Check here - https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/is-ms-from-bits-pilani-wlpd-considered-equivalent-to-masters-degree-by-wes.332154/page-2
Instructions can be found here - http://wilpdar.bits-pilani.ac.in/graduation/instructions.html
In Conclusion:
After having read a lot about this program and its format, I think it is an excellent program.
The introductory courses have been fantastic and I cannot wait for the program to begin on the 25th of April 2019 - this Saturday!
I am excited to be a student again! I was previously one when I got my M.A. in Economics from IGNOU in 2015.
I hope this post was informative and I hope many of you reading this will join the program.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post.
Cheers,
Rupak
What Next?
Students may want to pursue their doctoral studies (Ph.D.) after this program - they can do so provided the university offering Ph.D. accepts this program. I know of one student who is doing his Ph.D. at IIT Delhi who has completed his M.S/M.Tech. through the WILP mode. His information can be found here - http://www.cse.iitd.ernet.in/~anupam/cv.html
This program is also valid for immigration purposes to Canada and many students have got Master's Degree equivalency for this degree from WES. Check here - https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/is-ms-from-bits-pilani-wlpd-considered-equivalent-to-masters-degree-by-wes.332154/page-2
Instructions can be found here - http://wilpdar.bits-pilani.ac.in/graduation/instructions.html
In Conclusion:
After having read a lot about this program and its format, I think it is an excellent program.
The introductory courses have been fantastic and I cannot wait for the program to begin on the 25th of April 2019 - this Saturday!
I am excited to be a student again! I was previously one when I got my M.A. in Economics from IGNOU in 2015.
I hope this post was informative and I hope many of you reading this will join the program.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post.
Cheers,
Rupak
Hi, thank you for your post. I see that you are going to start the final semester of your course. How the program has been so far. Would it be possible for you to share the pros and cons? I am planning to apply for the course. Your experience would be of great help.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I am in my second semester of this course. The program has been equal parts challenging and fun. The pros are you get a degree at the end of the course, a fairly encouraging cohort which helps each other, lots of new knowledge and the fact that you become a BITSian. Cons - no placements (as you are already working), doesn't give a feel of real classroom teaching. All in all, will definitely recommend this to all aspirants.
Deletehi Rupak, is there a chance of moving into academics like teaching profession after completing this masters?
ReplyDeleteAs this program is UGC approved, I do not see a problem for applying for teaching jobs. It is better to check with the college that you're applying to.
DeletePls suggest, Is Mtech in Data Science of MSc in Business Analytics? I'm really confused. Pls throw some guidance sir.
ReplyDeleteThis is about M.Tech. in Data Science & Engineering. If you have done engineering, it is better to choose M.Tech.
DeleteHow to choose? I have ~2years of experience in Analytics.
ReplyDeleteHi Rupak, Please update on your 3rd Semester experience also.
ReplyDeleteHi rupak, do you have blog about sem3 electives. It will be greatly helpful
ReplyDelete