The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), founded in 1909 through a visionary partnership between Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, the Mysore royal family, and the Government of India, stands tall as India's premier institution for advanced scientific and technological research and education. Its core mission is to advance knowledge in ways that contribute to India's industrial and societal progress, striking a delicate balance between fundamental research and practical applications. Over the past 111 years, IISc's reputation and eminence have attracted exceptional faculty members from top laboratories worldwide.
In recognition of its academic excellence, the Government of India designated IISc as an Institution of Eminence (IoE) in 2018, consistently ranking among the top Indian institutions in global university assessments. The Institute's research output defies conventional boundaries, being interdisciplinary and diverse. Spanning across six divisions, IISc comprises more than 42 academic departments and centers. Its commitment to student learning is evident with over 4000 students enrolled in postgraduate and PhD programs, alongside a four-year undergraduate program focused on nurturing research-oriented training in the basic sciences. Nestled within the vibrant city of Bengaluru, India's tech hub, the IISc campus sprawls over 440 acres of lush greenery.
In collaboration with various technology giants, IISc endeavors to address significant challenges in strategic areas, with some faculty members even establishing their own start-ups to impact society directly.
A landmark achievement during its centenary in 2009 was the acquisition of a sprawling 1,500-acre campus in Challakere taluk, Chitradurga district, Karnataka. This campus spearheads a pioneering training program for rural science and mathematics school and college teachers, which has benefited more than 11,000 teachers and earned recognition as a Centre for Excellence by the Government of India. As IISc marches into the future, its vision is to become one of the world's foremost academic institutions. This entails strengthening core research expertise across science and engineering, crafting world-class teaching programs, encouraging translational research, and fostering successful start-ups. Collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork will remain integral to tackling pressing challenges, including climate change, healthcare, water management, and renewable energy.
IISc's commitment to social impact persists, encompassing activities such as training school teachers, disseminating sustainable rural technologies, and conducting research in critical areas. Simultaneously, the institute embraces modern professional practices, benchmarking itself against international standards to ensure excellence in all endeavors. Moving forward, IISc will present boundless opportunities for students, innovators, teachers, researchers, and more, inviting them to join the institute on an exhilarating journey of knowledge creation and societal transformation. As the Institute propels its vision into reality, it welcomes all to partake in this exciting and transformative adventure.