IIT Jodhpur introduces three-year masters course in augmented, virtual reality

The Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur has announced the introduction of a masters degree in development of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) tools and services. The course will be held on a part-time basis, and be spread across a minimum of three years. Applicants will be required to hold at least a bachelor of engineering (BE) or bachelor of technology (B.Tech) degree, and the last date of application is Friday, June 17.

The course will be operated under IIT Jodhpur’s technology innovation hub, the iHub Drishti Foundation. According to the institute, the course curriculum is designed to help applicants develop “analytical and experimental research” in AR and VR systems. It will also require the students of the course to develop applications to be deployed in AR and VR devices, and build platforms to cater to this relatively new segment of technology.

The iHub Drishti Foundation, operated by IIT Jodhpur, was built to develop technologies and applications in the field of computer vision, AR and VR.

Santanu Chaudhury, director at IIT Jodhpur, said upon the announcement, “We all talk about AR and VR and metaverse as the future of immersive technology. Every interface has to be unique and experiential - from e-commerce, learning, to controlling systems. In AR & VR, the most critical and enabling technology is Artificial Intelligence (AI).”

Neeraj Jain, who heads the school of AI and data science at the institute, also added that AR and VR applications will play crucial roles in sectors such as “healthcare, diagnostics, robotics, gaming, consumer experience and anywhere else where we require an immersive experience.” He further added that such technologies will add to the overall job opportunities in new technology fields in India.

The M.Tech course in AR and VR will cost students Rs 6,000 per credit, and a total of 60 credits will be compulsorily needed in three years. After applications are closed on June 17, shortlisted candidates, who are expected to be mid-career professionals, will be announced on Monday, June 20. A written test will be conducted on the next Monday, June 27, and final students for the course will be announced on Thursday, June 30.