THEME OF PRACTICE SCHOOL (PS) Appendix -1: Industry-wise Monthly Average

Stipend during PS-II, Jul. -Dec. 2020 (In Thousands)

Practice School is an educational innovation of BITS Pilani
seeking to link industry experience with university instruction.
The effort is to orient education so as to
(i) meet the rapidly changing needs and challenges of a
professional workplace, (ii) enable students to acquire learning
by applying the knowledge and skills they possess, in unfamiliar,
open-ended real work life situations, and (iii) bear an economic
relevance to society. These objectives are achieved by bringing
the reality of the world of work into the process of education,

PRACTICE SCHOOL
thereby creating a sound base for experiential and cooperative
learning. The students under supervision of faculty are made to

INFORMATION BROCHURE
work on relevant assignments with the guidance of experts from
the industry.

BEGINNING OF PS:

Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani introduced the PS

programme in 1973 for all disciplines across the Institute.
Though PS programme began in 1973 with merely 12 students
and 4 faculty members at HINDALCO, Renukoot, it has been OFF-CAMPUS WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING PROGRAMMES:
growing at a steady pace ever since.
BITS has very strong presence in the domain of continuing
education for employed professionals, with over 21,000
SALIENT FEATURES: students registered in various off-campus work-integrated
learning degree programs. Organizations interested in
• Institutionalized linkage between the institute and associating with BITS Pilani to promote industry relevant
industry education system and to enhance their innovation and growth
• Applicable to all degree programs through human resources development may contact the
• Integral part of the curriculum following
• Student involvement in real-life projects
CONTACT DETAIL
• Continuous internal evaluation system
• Monitoring and evaluation by resident faculty Practice School (PS)
member Prof. Srinivasa Prakash Regalla
Dean,Practice School Division

 Phone: (040) - 66303520 (O)

PS OPERATIONAL STATISTICS: Mobile: +91 9010202879
Email: [email protected]
Today, Practice School programme has established
massive linkages across the country. During 18th May-27th Work Integrated Learning Programmes (WILP):
June, 2020, we conducted PS-I in 225 organizations for Prof. S. Gurunarayanan
Dean, Work Integrated Learning Programmes Division
more than 2946 students accompanied by over 101
 Phone: (01596) - 255239 (O)
faculty members.
Mobile: +91 9414082472
In the current session of PS-II (Jul-Dec. 2020), we have
Email: [email protected]
over 1378 students working in 354 organizations all over
the country (and a few abroad), with about 70 faculty Prof. G. Sundar
supervising it. Director – Off-Campus Programmes & Industry Engagement
Director – BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
Email: [email protected]
 PROGRAMME STRUCTURE: PRACTICE SCHOOL-II (PS-II) Foreign Stations: Over the years, PS-II has been
operated at few locations outside India. These have the
SINGLE DEGREE: Concept: Practice School-II (PS-II), of five and a half added dimension of providing international exposure (both
It is notionally of four years duration, with the input being 10+2 months duration, carrying twenty units credit, is operated at the professional and the personal levels) to the students.
pass students who have qualified for admission through round the year, July to December and January to June. This Typically, these organizations provide financial support
BITSAT (the online admission test of BITS Pilani) judicious planning makes available a continuous stream of adequate to take care of their travel, living expenses, and
The first two years are devoted to establishing a strong well-prepared students to work on developmental projects in medical insurance.
foundation. The courses drawn from Mathematics, Science, industry.
Engineering Science (Electronics, Thermodynamics, Materials Since the students participate in, and contribute to live Role of PS-II Faculty:
Science), Technical Arts (Computer Programming, Workshop projects, they are supported by a stipend and/or other • Interfacing between the institute and the host organization
Practice, Engineering Graphics, Measurements, Report facilities such as accommodation, travel reimbursement, etc. • Generating problem bank for subsequent semester in
Writing), and Management (Principles of Management) are consultation with the coordinator of the organization
Aim: PS-II is directed towards providing an opportunity to
mostly common to all the degree programs. • Ensuring smooth operation by being in constant touch
students to experience the world of work, thereby
Practice School-I is conducted during the summer following with the students, project mentors, and coordinator
participating in live projects in industry, even before they • Monitoring, evaluating, and grading the performance of
the second year. graduate. Apart from the academic benefits, this also serves
The third year is spent on Specialized Discipline Courses and the students
to hone their problem solving skills, and build team spirit, • Initiating PS activity in new organizations
various other Analysis and Application Oriented Courses. By initiative, and leadership skills, which makes the eventual
the end of the third year, the student would have completed all transition to the professional world in a smoother way. Role of Professional Experts:
the named (compulsory) courses of the degree program. • Identifying suitable assignments for the students
In the final year, the student spends one semester doing
Methodology: After a brief orientation, the students are • Providing necessary technical guidance in the execution
involved directly in addressing the identified problems, of the projects
elective courses and the other doing Practice School.
generally of multidisciplinary nature, of direct relevance to • Participation in the evaluation components such as
DUAL DEGREE: the host organization. The students are encouraged to work seminar, project reports, and provide inputs to the PS
A student may be admitted to the Composite Dual Degree independently, under the guidance of an industry expert, faculty
Program under which the student simultaneously pursues and the faculty, and are periodically required to defend the Requirements for Operational Success of PS:
two degrees. their work through various evaluation instruments. Emphasis
• Enthusiastic, result-oriented, and industrious students,
Practice School-I appears in the chart at the end of two years is laid on the importance of team work, developing with eagerness to learn
in this program. Such a student may opt for PS-II to satisfy leadership qualities, and effective time management. • Cooperation from Industry
the requirements for both the degrees, which will be done in Allotment Process: The participating organization sends • Additional infrastructure outside the campuses
the last two semesters of the program. information (Problem Bank) regarding the list of • Efficient communication network, and information
assignments/projects with details of skill sets, number of processing systems
HIGHER DEGREE: students required stream-wise, the facilities which include • Committed and dedicated faculty
The program is of two years duration. the details of stipend and other supports provided by the Benefits of PS:
The first three semesters are spent on course work while the organizations. The above information is made available to The success of the PS system is primarily attributed to the
last semester is devoted either to Practice School or students and based on this information; the students submit cooperation from all stakeholders including the host
Dissertation. their preferences for the various projects and organizations. organizations, students, and the institute, resulting in the
The allotment of students is done by matching the project continuous and sustainable model of university industry
PRACTICE SCHOOL-I (PS-I) requirements with students’ profiles, keeping the preferences linkage through this unique educatinal endaevour.
and merit of the students in view. Benefit to Students:
Practice School-I (PS-I) of eight weeks duration, is offered
Industry Support: In Practice School-II, the students work • Learning by doing
during the summer after the students have completed two years
like full time employee of an organization and are therefore • All round development
of course work, which consists of a judicious mix of
able to devote their time completely to the tasks assigned, • Aid in career planning
Mathematics, Sciences, Technical Arts, Analysis and
and ensure their timely completion. In part for this reason, the • Experience of professional working conditions
Application Oriented Courses, Engineering Science and
students are supported financially by all host organizations. • Smooth transition from academia to industry
Humanities. PS-I is primarily an exposure-oriented course
The stipend provided varies over a wide range across the Benefits to Industry:
which is graded for five units as it is an integral part of the
project domains, and it is left entirely to the discretion of the
curriculum. PS-I provides an exposure to professional • Steady stream of skilled manpower provides value addition
workplace, organization structure and functions, develop organization.
and increased productivity
personality traits, and enhance their communication and • Human resource development benefits
presentation skills. • Platform for partnership with academia
• Employer Branding