Crookbond Posted June 2, 2012 Posted June 2, 2012 that does not explain anything (in context of OP). Infact, IITs/IIMs can claim to have done more (relatively speaking), despite not so much of support/resource/conducive-environment. USA had a head start in development (~200 years vs ~60 years)...(and competent/lucky defense/policies), and they managed to attract best brains and nurture them. When they were landing on the moon, more than 50% or our population was thinking about how to get 2nd (and if lucky, 3rd) meal of the day. Rewind back couple of 1000 years, and roles can be reversed...India was at the peak as a civilization, and I don't even know whether there is anything to say about "American History" around that time. US is at a peak as a civilization, and as long as they have open policy and ability to attract the "best" and defend their natural and 'acquired' resources by alliances/politics/military-defense.. they can continue to be on top - at least within our lifetimes ..... (unless they/someone do something magical/revolutionary (and affordable) to extend our lifetimes beyond our current imaginations). You just gave the reason why there's a large gulf. Well, there are plethora of reasons but I still think one reason is for sure - "Consistent commitment and execution of HQ teaching and research".
Crookbond Posted June 2, 2012 Posted June 2, 2012 Well, of course, where they do have the lectures along with all the material, it is good. But for 80% of the courses they just have the scrap without the videos. In case of NPTEL, they ARE offering the entire degree for free. The Professors seldom produce customized lecture notes there, but they do let you know the best books and material available, so its easy. Infact, on the website you do not see the video links for many of the courses yet because they are still being edited/ fixed for copyright etc.. When we were students, we had links to all those courses available through the campus LAN. Move beyond MIT OCW. It's time to accept Coursera https://www.coursera.org/ Udacity http://www.udacity.com/ edX http://www.edxonline.org/ This covers most Ivy league content.
vipin Posted June 2, 2012 Posted June 2, 2012 Well, there are actually many reasons MIT is the top dog :- (1) Great Talent (obvious) (2) Great Research, which can be attributed to the culture, economy and the funds. (3) The culture(from 2) of free thinking as against rote learning here in India. (4) Being in a developed country obviously helps a lot. They have time, money and the public interest to invest in research as against feeding the poor and the corrupt. Nothing MUCH more.
vipin Posted June 2, 2012 Posted June 2, 2012 Move beyond MIT OCW. It's time to accept Coursera https://www.coursera.org/ Udacity http://www.udacity.com/ edX http://www.edxonline.org/ This covers most Ivy league content. Thanks for those links
b555 Posted June 3, 2012 Posted June 3, 2012 Move beyond MIT OCW. It's time to accept Coursera https://www.coursera.org/ Udacity http://www.udacity.com/ edX http://www.edxonline.org/ This covers most Ivy league content. awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
nballa Posted June 3, 2012 Posted June 3, 2012 Does IIT have something like this? http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm babes? no.
akshayxyz Posted June 3, 2012 Posted June 3, 2012 You just gave the reason why there's a large gulf. Well' date=' there are plethora of reasons but I still think one reason is for sure - [b']"Consistent commitment and execution of HQ teaching and research". That is like saying a five start hotel is able attract rich clientele (and investors) because they are committed to providing 5 star facilities. As i said, a good question/case study would be - how did they get there, did they do anything differently (when they were not preferred) from their peers with access to similar resources..., did they ever have to compete with top tier (if and when they were not among top) - or was it always with blessings of govt. I am talking in context of - when people start comparing IITs with MIT.... which is more like apple vs oranges....esp in terms of "Nobel Laureates" produced, which is very absurd metric to judge IITs. Even IITs are committed to providing quality education, for research and stuff you need support from higher authorities... Look what is happening in JEE, IITs are struggling to have their own criteria of selection - to maintain, what they consider excellence, at their own institution. IMO, MIT is a product of whole ecosystem and not just some efforts of an individual entity.
akshayxyz Posted June 3, 2012 Posted June 3, 2012 Having a set of ideals and values is the easiest part, but execution is not possible w/o resources and support from govt and society. IITs have done well so far - in terms of selecting quality talent and providing them with quality education. Making/Motivating them to stay and work/research for the nation, is something beyond IITs hands. And now when they have some global presence, reputation - our own society & govt wants to clip their wings, dilute their brand name - in the name of equality of opportunity and some such nonsense. In USA (or elsewhere in the world) Have you ever seen anything like changing names of other schools to MIT, so that more people can add MIT in their resume?...and above that govt/society enforcing their own perception of 'excellence selection criteria'. When someone takes pride in being MITian - he is given due respect and space. Where as, here we see IITians as bunch of arrogant people who have done nothing...Spewing hate/nonsense, bringing IITs down, judging them on basis of Nobel prize count ( when Engg is not even eligible for one) is everyday business on online forums, newspapers, media. As a nation and society we are a confused bunch - On paper we are a democracy.. Govt wants to be dictators, society wants to be communist..
Crookbond Posted June 3, 2012 Posted June 3, 2012 You misunderstood me. I don't think it's only the government who wants to "bring IIT down" for equality. The IITians too want to preserve their cult (sometimes wrongly so) as they feel they are superior to others. I wonder if the IIT Alumni would ever move HC for a corrupt practice in an IIT.
Yoda-esque Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 Not related but I Just attended a session by a reputed MIT prof..very entertaining
vipin Posted June 5, 2012 Posted June 5, 2012 Money dude.. Money. If you give so much money to an IIT, it would easily equal this feat. Money is required to buy instruments, build experiments, pay top level scientists and what not. All these things are very marginal at the IITs.
Crookbond Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 ^ I agree that money is a very big factor. However, within the given setup & money being put into the IIT there's no justice done to the money being pumped in.
IKnowU Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 Why cant IIT have a condition that once they complete their degree, that all graduates must serve within the country for at least 5yrs before they are allowed to go overseas etc?
vipin Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 Why cant IIT have a condition that once they complete their degree' date=' that all graduates must serve within the country for at least 5yrs before they are allowed to go overseas etc?[/quote'] And exactly what kind of service should that be ?
EnterTheVoid Posted June 6, 2012 Author Posted June 6, 2012 Its more than just money that makes MIT good. Pretty sure Harvard/Yale get more but there are not as good as MIT, not in my opinion at least.
EnterTheVoid Posted June 6, 2012 Author Posted June 6, 2012 MIT enrolled 4,384 undergraduates and 6,510 graduate students for the 2011–2012 school year.[4] MIT received 17,909 applicants for the class of 2015, with only 1,742 offered admittance, an acceptance rate of 9.7%.[11] It employs around 1,000 faculty members.[3] 77 Nobel laureates, 52 National Medal of Science recipients, 45 Rhodes Scholars, and 38 MacArthur Fellows are currently or have previously been affiliated with the university.[3][6][12] - wiki :omg:
akshayxyz Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 You misunderstood me. I don't think it's only the government who wants to "bring IIT down" for equality. The IITians too want to preserve their cult (sometimes wrongly so) as they feel they are superior to others. I wonder if the IIT Alumni would ever move HC for a corrupt practice in an IIT. What makes you feel so? There is no cult. It is pure meritocracy (besides some reservation rules enforced by Govt.o.India). [Would you dare use similar word ('cult') for MIT/HVD/Stan, who have relatively less transparent selection criteria than IITs] Have you ever heard of Govt/Society.of.USA telling MIT/HVD/Stanford/Princeton/Yale.../.../..../.., how to select their incoming students?
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