India : PhD Program in Computer Science at IIIT-Delhi 2010

The goal of PhD programs in IIIT-Delhi is to train students to become top class researchers who can be part of the global research ecosystem, and contribute to research organizations and research universities across the world.

For its PhD (Computer Science) program, IIIT-D invites applications for admission for 2010 in following research areas:

• Image Analysis and Biometrics
• Information Management and Data Analytics
• Mobile and Ubiquitous computing
• Security and Privacy
• Software Engineering
• Theory

Some key features of the program are:

• Based on the best practice model in top universities, worldwide, fresh B.Tech. graduates with research aptitude are strongly encouraged to apply for the PhD program
• GATE scores are optional but not required
• Strong faculty groups that will supervise the students and provide international exposure
• Being a focused program, it is expected that a student should be able to finish the PhD within 4 years
• Attractive compensation: the stipend in first year is Rs 20,000 per month; 2nd to 4th year it can be upto Rs 25,000 per month, based on performance
• IIIT-D will provide financial support to present papers in reputed national and International conferences
• For full time PhD students with assistantship (Teaching or Research), tuition fee (Rs. 1 Lakh per year) will be waived

Collaborative PhD Program: As part of its PhD program, IIIT-Delhi has successfully started a "focused collaborative PhD program" with selected partner groups/institutes across the world. In addition to the above mentioned features of PhD at IIIT-D, other features of collaborative PhD program are:

• A student is admitted to PhD program at IIIT-D, from where he/she will get the degree. Interview for admission may be done jointly by IIIT-D and the partner group
• At least two supervisors: main supervisor will be from IIIT-D and may have an external co-supervisor from the partner Institution
• After completing the course work and starting the research, the student may spend 3 months to 1 year with the co-supervisor at the partner group/institution
• While at the partner group or organization, the partner will pay the stipend as per their norms

For collaborative PhD program, applications are invited for the following research areas:

• Biometrics: collaborators are from University of Notre Dame, USA; West Virginia University, USA; The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
• Information Security: Collaborators are from University of Maryland Baltimore County, USA; IBM- India Research Labs, India; City University London; State University of New York, Buffalo, USA; University of Luxemborg, Luxemborg, UIUC, USA
• Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing: Collaborators are from University of California, Los Angeles, USA; INRIA-Rocquencourt, France; Newcastle University, England; Ohio State University, USA
• Software engineering: Collaborators are from Saarland University, Germany; Microsoft Research, Bangalore; The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
• Information Management and Analytics: Collaborators are from IBM Indian Research Lab; University of Aizu, Japan

Detail information of the collaborative PhD program is available here.

Eligibility: For both programs (regular PhD and collaborative PhD), IIIT-D is looking for candidates who have good programming expertise, solid foundations in CS/Maths, and interest in pursuing research in one of the above mentioned areas. Eligibility criteria for applying: A person who has good academic record throughout and graduated within the last two years with a BTech/BE/MTech/MS/ME in CS/IT/ECE/EE with a good academic record (at least a CGPA of 7.5 or equivalent in IITs/NITs, or in the top 10% in his/her CS/IT/ECE/EE batch from other institutions). Requirements may be relaxed for candidates with publications/ R&D/software development experience in their area of interest.

Important dates:

• Last date to receive application: April 19, 2010
• Screening results: April 24, 2010 (5:00 PM)
• Written and Programming Test/Interview at IIIT-D: May 10
• Results on the website: TBA
• 1st day of semester: TBA

How to Apply:

• Apply online: PhD application form.
• Once the online form is filled, applicants have to print the filled form, paste a photo, sign on the declaration, attach a Demand Draft of Rs. 300 and post it to:
  
  
  PG Program Coordinator
  IIIT Delhi
  NSIT Campus
  Azad Hind Fauj Marg
  Sector-3, Dwarka
  New Delhi - 110078
• Application checklist:
  • Printout of duly filled application form
  • Details of publications, awards, and honors (if any)
  • Non refundable application fee: A demand draft of Rs. 300 in favor of IIIT-Delhi, payable at Delhi

Sponsored Full Time Candidates: This category comprises of students who are working professionals and are sponsored by the reputed organization by giving an undertaking. They will not be entitled to any financial assistance from the Institute, fee waiver, and on-campus placement. Admission process will be same as for regular candidates. For sponsored candidates, a tuition fee of Rs. One Lakh per year will be charged.

Admission Process: Based on the facts furnished in the application, a screening will be performed and selected candidates will be asked to appear for a competitive entrance process that includes written and programming tests and interview. Written test may be objective or short subjective. Questions will be from Data Structures, Algorithms, Discrete Maths, Theory of Computation, and Probability Theory. In the programming test, candidates will be asked to write and execute a program in one of three languages (C, C++, JAVA). Based on the performance in written and programming tests, selected candidates will be interviewed.

Clarifications:

• MCA/MSc(CS/IT/ECE) degree is considered equivalent to the BTech/BE degree. Such students are also eligible to apply with the condition that in their undergraduate (i.e. B.Sc.) they should have Mathematics as one of the courses and keen interest/capability/commitment in pursuing research.
• Test/interview venue will be IIIT-D.
• Students in their final semester of BTech/BE/MTech/ME are eligible to apply.
• We will not entertain requests to change the test/interview dates and place.
• Students in Electronics branch are also eligible to apply.
• IIIT-D PhD program is a full time program, not a part time program.
• The admission decisions (i.e. screening, shortlisting, and others) will be made by the IIIT-D PhD admission committee, which will be final.
• Recommenders should be someone who is professionally affiliated with the applicant such as a faculty member in the qualifying degree granting institution, thesis advisor, supervisor, and senior member in their organization.
• If you have selected two research areas in the application form, then, during interview, questions may be asked from both the areas. However, a candidate may select one of the areas during interview.
• Outstation candidates will have to furnish the proof of travel. If a candidate decides to choose a different mode (e.g. 3AC, air, etc.), IIIT-D will only reimburse the second sleeper or public transport bus fare by the shortest route.
• If the candidate is selected for admission and decides to join IIIT-D, hostel facility will be provided as per the norms of the institute.
• Accommodation during the entrance process will be provided to the outstation candidates (not to any other relatives/guardians) with the condition that prior intimation is given through email tohost@iiitd.ac.in   along with complete itinerary.
• All communications will be through email. We will not send any postal mail. Further, most announcements about the admission to the PhD program for 2010 will be made through this site. Results will also be declared through this site. Hence, candidates are advised to check this site regularly for updates.
• As decided by the PG Committee, IIIT-D selection team will go to some good engineering colleges to screen PhD candidates based on written exam and one round of interview. Pre-selected students will have to attend final round of interview, including interview with the collaborator, at IIIT-D.

Question:

For any further information, or queries, feel free to contact at phd-admissions@iiitd.ac.in