This E MBA (Executive MBA) course is aimed at training mid-career working professionals in contemporary management knowledge to lead a modern business organization.

The in-person classes would be on alternate weekends (Saturday & Sunday) at the campus. The last date to apply for the course is 20 October 2024, say sources from IIT Madras.

Welcome

Welcoming candidates from all over the country to apply for this program, Prof. M. Thenmozhi, Head, Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras, said, “This two-year degree program will focus on building the skills and mindset to lead in today’s fast-changing business world.

This program will help its students stay relevant and future-proof their careers in a fast-paced environment, said Prof Thenmozhi of IIT Madras.

They said the academic diversity of the batch enables rich peer learning, the international learning program offers a first-hand exposure to global business standards, and the large connections built through the alumni network enriches the overall learning experience.

Process

The shortlisted candidates will go through the selection process at the IIT Madras Campus on 8,9 and 10 November 2024. It would comprise a written aptitude test and a personal interview.

Test

The Written test will be based on Business Acumen, Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Ability and Verbal Aptitude. The results will be announced by December 2024 and the program will commence by January 2025.

The course would be taught by world-class faculty who blend cutting-edge research with practical industry experience, ensuring that the students receive the most relevant and impactful education, say sources from IIT Madras.

They would also benefit from interacting with industry professionals and successful alumni, providing networking opportunities that are essential for building valuable professional relationships, say sources from IIT Madras.

IITM has been ranked No.1 in the ‘Overall’ Category for the sixth consecutive year in India Ranking 2024 released by National Institutional Ranking Framework, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India.

The Institute has also been ranked No.1 in the ‘Engineering Institutions’ category in the same Rankings for nine consecutive years – from 2016 to 2024.

The Department of Management Studies was established in the year 2004 as a home to the popular Master in Business Administration course being taught since August 2001.

It is the first IIT to open its doors to enthusiasts from streams other than Engineering such as B.A, B.Sc & B.Com in 2013.

Besides the MBA program, the department has an Executive MBA program for the middle and senior level executives and other programs.

Also Read – IIT Madras launches great quantitative research lab

This innovative hydrogel-based therapy delivers anti-cancer drugs directly to tumor sites, significantly reducing the side effects typically associated with conventional cancer treatments.

The paper is co-authored by Prof. Debapratim Das, along with his research scholars Ms. Tanushree Das and Ms. Ritvika Kushwaha from IIT Guwahati, and collaborators Dr. Kuldip Jana, Mr. Satyajit Halder, and Mr. Anup Kumar Misra from Bose Institute Kolkata.

Surgical removal of tumors is sometimes not feasible, particularly for internal organs, while chemotherapy’s systemic delivery often results in harmful side effects by affecting both cancerous and healthy cells.

Design

Prof. Debpratim Das, Department of Chemistry, and his team at IIT Guwahati addressed these challenges by designing a hydrogel that delivers drugs precisely to the tumor site, ensuring localized action.

Water-based

Hydrogels are water-based, three-dimensional polymer networks capable of absorbing and retaining fluids. Their unique structure mimics living tissues, making them suitable for biomedical applications.

This newly developed hydrogel acts as a stable reservoir for anti-cancer drugs and releases them in a controlled manner, responding to specific conditions in the tumor microenvironment, say researchers from IIT Guwahati.

It responds to elevated glutathione (GSH) levels, a molecule abundant in tumor cells.

Upon encountering high GSH levels, the hydrogel triggers a controlled drug release directly into the tumor, minimizing its interaction with healthy tissues and reducing systemic side effects, say sources from IIT Guwahati.

Department of Chemistry at IIT Guwahati

Speaking about the breakthrough, Prof. Debapratim Das, Dept. of Chemistry, IIT Guwahati, said, “This work exemplifies how scientific innovation can directly address the pressing needs of cancer treatment.

The hydrogel’s unique properties allow it to work in harmony with the biological environment, offering precision where it is needed most, said Prof Debapratim Das of IIT Guwahati.

We are excited by its potential to transform our thoughts about localized drug delivery, he said.

Preclinical trials

In preclinical trials on a murine model of breast cancer, the hydrogel showcased remarkable efficacy.

A single injection of the hydrogel, loaded with the chemotherapy drug Doxorubicin, resulted in a ~75% reduction in tumor size within 18 days.

Crucially, the hydrogel remained localized at the tumor site, steadily releasing the drug over time without causing detectable side effects on other organs.

Delivery system

This innovative delivery system enhances the drug’s effectiveness while reducing the required dosage, thus minimizing toxicity.

Laboratory studies further demonstrated that the hydrogel improves drug uptake by cancer cells, induces cell cycle arrest, and promotes programmed cell death, thereby attacking tumors on multiple fronts.

Further studies

Further studies are going on to find out the maximum amount of reduction in the size of the tumor by a single dose. Moreover, we are also looking into other types of tumors, say sources from IIT Guwahati.

Once all the studies are complete, will apply to take the material for clinical trial and are looking for an appropriate partner to do the same.

At present, the Institute has eleven departments, nine interdisciplinary academic centres and five schools.

They are covering all the major engineering, science, healthcare, management, and humanities disciplines, offering BTech, BDes, BSc(Hons), MA, MDes, MTech, MSc, MS(R), MBA and PhD programmes.

The institute offers a residential campus to 455 faculty members and more than 8,600 students at present.

Also Read – IIT Madras launches great research center