Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati

The IISERs (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research) are a group of institutions created nationally by the Government of India, to promote research in science and technology. Unlike the IITs, which focus on engineering, here the mandate is geared towards the basic sciences. There are now 7 IISERs in the country, with an 8^th likely to open in Nagaland. IISER Kolkata is the oldest set up back in 2006, same year as the one in Pune. The others are in the states of Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. The IISERs as a rule cater mainly to integrated degrees. 

The IISER Tirupati’s sprawling campus is spread over an area worth two- hundred and fifty acres of land in the state of Andhra Pradesh (AP). It is among the newest of the IISERs, having been founded recently, in 2015. It has been granted the status of INI (Institute of National Importance). There is the Integrated BS. + MS programme, the flagship for the IISERs. Selection for these programmes is via the JEE (Joint Entrance Exam) which is also the basis of selection to the IITs. Beyond this, several doctoral options are available on hand here. There is even an Integrated MS + PhD. 

The entire academics here is run by a cohort of six disciplinary departments, each with expertise in its own area. Four of these are for the areas in which the integrated programmes are run. These are in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and in Mathematics. The fifth one is for Earth and Climate Science. The last one is for Humanities and Social Sciences, much in vogue now. The mandate of the IISERs provides much focus on applied and fundamental research. To facilitate this, the one in Tirupati, has the right research infrastructure. Research is done across the six departmental areas. Several publications also originate from the campus of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in AP.

Several of the faculty members, and even some of the students have gotten their works published at respected peer- reviewed journals and other publications. The faculty members have periodically gotten their works published on national and international research, peer- reviewed journals. Some have even written full- fledged books, or chapters in such books. Several conferences and seminars are also conducted on campus. The faculty have also had their research papers read at conferences at other institutes, both nationally, as well as internationally. The library here is also one of the best stocked within the region. Besides the physical books on display, it also provides digital access to en number of international academic journals for research and academic purposes. 

The campus has much to offer. There are hostel facilities for both boys and girls. Banking facilities with ATM are available in the campus’s vicinity. There is a sports field where cricket and football may be played. Facilities are also there for indoor sports. The gymnasium may also be used by all. A large auditorium is there to facilitate major events, at both intra and inter college level. The campus is Wi- Fi enabled. Science laboratories have the latest of equipment. A health centre is also there to cater to medical emergencies. Hygienic food is prepared at the college cafeteria. The college even has its own transport to ferry students to and from the campus. A convenience store is also located within campus.

There is a thriving student life also on campus. There are several student clubs, handled by the council. Shemushi is the Quiz Club, while Parkruthi is the one for nature. There are also clubs on math, physics, literary, chemistry, astronomy, movie, sports and on creative filming. The club for photography is known as the Fovea, plus there is also the Bio- wissen, for biology. All this, has led to the college accruing high ranks across the platforms. The Careers 360 magazine has placed the IISER in Tirupati within the AAA category among the universities. The placements have likewise, also picked up pace.