Introduction

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has a rich tradition of producing highly skilled and capable graduates who are sought after by some of the world's best institutions for higher studies. In this article, we explore the postgraduate destinations of IISc undergraduate students who graduated in 2019. We will discuss the prestigious institutions they were admitted to and their future plans, as well as the impact of the global pandemic on their academic and professional trajectories.

Notable Institutions for Higher Studies

IITs: Many IISc UG students of 2019 pursued either master's or Ph.D. programs at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). These prestigious institutions are known for their rigorous academic programs and cutting-edge research facilities.

International Universities

USA: Students secured admissions to top universities such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University. Other notable institutions in the USA include the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Cambridge.

Canada and UK: Opportunities to study at universities like the University of Toronto, University of Edinburgh, and Imperial College London were also available.

Germany: Highly competitive programs at institutions such as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) attracted many of the best students.

Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)

A few students opted for the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to pursue an MBA, seeking to enhance their managerial and leadership skills.

National Institutes of Technology (NITs)

Many IISc graduates chose to pursue postgraduate programs at the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), which are renowned for their research and development initiatives.

Research Institutes

Students also had the opportunity to join research programs at esteemed institutions like the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), and other leading research institutes.

Specific Admits and Individual Differences

The specific postgraduate destinations of IISc UG students in 2019 varied widely based on individual interests, academic performance, and research experience. Detailed statistics or specific names of admits would be best provided by IISc’s placement office or alumni networks. Below, we provide an overview of some of the notable admits:

Biology:

University of Michigan New York University Medical School Johns Hopkins University University of Maryland Erasmus Mundus MEME

Masters:

International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS)

Chemistry:

University of Colorado Boulder University of Washington University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Materials:

University of Lille

Engineering, Vocational, and Specialized Studies (EVS):

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

Mathematics:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) University of Maryland University of Michigan

Physics:

University of Colorado Boulder Purdue University University of Maryland Ohio State University University of California, San Diego Pennsylvania State University Quantum Information Centre (IQC)

Impact of the Global Pandemic

Due to the global pandemic, there has been a significant impact on the academic and social lives of IISc UG students of 2019. Many graduates were unable to attend the farewell and convocation ceremonies because of quarantine and travel restrictions. The pandemic also led to a reluctance and confusion in joining postgraduate programs, resulting in fewer data points.

Notably, some students deferred their admissions to the following year, which highlights the uncertainty and the challenges faced by young professionals during these unprecedented times. However, the resilience and adaptability of these students have been commendable, and they have shown a strong desire to continue their academic journeys despite the challenges.

As these graduates look to the future, they are hopeful and ambitious, with many aiming to complete their masters or Ph.D. degrees in the upcoming academic year. They remain dedicated to their chosen fields and are committed to contributing to the academic, scientific, and technological advancements of the world.