To overcome this deficiency a new educational era is being ushered in. Scheller School of TechnologyAn institution designed to keep pace with this change. hands-on learning With innovative pedagogy, new-age curriculum and industry-relevant internships, the institute presents itself as a beacon of change, inspiring students to look beyond outdated education and open themselves to the world of modern learning methods, preparing students for real-world challenges.
Anshuman Singh, Co-Founder and Dean Scheller School of TechnologyDiscusses the strategies adopted by SST to prepare its students for careers as future computer science engineers:
What was the inspiration behind setting up SST, and how does it lead to a new approach compared to traditional institutions offering computer science courses?
Anshuman Singh: SST was founded in 2023. After graduating from IIIT Hyderabad, I had the privilege of working directly under Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook. Despite this, I returned to India in 2014 to address the gaps in engineering education.
Scaler initially focused on upskilling engineers in service-based companies with modest salaries. We grew from zero to 40,000 active learners, resulting in remarkable placement results – average placement reaching 21 lakhs and highest package 1.7 crores. In 2022, more Scaler learners secured positions in Amazon than all IITs combined. This success underscored the need for a strong foundation in engineering education.
During our journey, we identified key problems in traditional BTech programmes:
- Old Syllabus: Unchanged for decades.
- Lack of exposure to the industry: Teachers often lacked practical industrial experience.
- Employment Challenges: According to the Aspiring Minds report, only 20% of engineering graduates were employable, and their starting salaries remained stagnant.
Looking at these challenges and inspired by how doctors learn from other senior doctors in the hospital, we conceptualised SST to offer a modern, industry-integrated education model for students after class 12. Here’s how we are different:
- Industry-designed courses: Created in collaboration with leaders from Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, ensuring relevance and up-to-date standards.
- hands-on learning: Students move beyond theoretical knowledge and work on over 50 real-world projects.
- Experienced Instructors: These classes are taught by industry professionals who have developed products for major companies.
- Compulsory Internship: The one-year internship provides ample industrial experience before graduation, making students job ready.
How is SST’s curriculum different from other institutes, especially in the context of emerging technological trends?
Anshuman Singh: When we first examined the existing BTech programs, it was clear that many unnecessary topics were included from a computer science perspective. We streamlined the curriculum to focus on essential skills, aiming to make our students proficient as SDE II (Senior Software Development Engineer) by graduation. We adopted a unique ‘2+1+1’ structure:
First two years: Focus on the basics of becoming a skilled developer. Classes are taught by senior software engineers from companies like Amazon, which emphasizes practical learning. For example, in web development, students create projects like web-based clocks and image editors after each theory session.
mid year: This can be a full year internship or split into multiple internships, thereby gaining ample experience in the industry. We assist students through guidance to excel in their internships, often leading to pre-placement offers.
final year: After gaining industry experience, students choose their specialization, such as software development, algo trading, AI or machine learning.
Despite being relatively new, our students have already made notable achievements:
- A first-year team qualified for ICPC, the Coding Olympics, outperforming teams from prestigious institutes like IITs and BITS.
- Created an app for the Government of India, which was demonstrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G-20 summit.
- Created a viral project using hand gestures to control a video game, integrating AR/VR technology.
One of our strengths at Scaler is that we adapt quickly to technological changes. Within two months of the launch of Apple Vision Pro, our students were working on projects with it. This agility ensures that our curriculum remains relevant and cutting-edge, keeping our students prepared for the constantly evolving technological landscape.
How do SST instructors compare to instructors at other institutions?
Rajan Anandan, former MD of Microsoft India and Supermentor of SST, spending time with students.
Anshuman Singh: At SST, our teaching approach is quite different from traditional BTech programs at traditional institutes. Unlike these programs, where instructors often have limited industry experience, we ensure that all our instructors bring adequate industry knowledge. Our teaching model consists of four key pillars:
- Instructors: Experienced industry professionals from top tech companies like Google and Amazon, such as Naman Bhalla, ex-Googler, and Srikanth Verma, who developed Amazon’s global advertising algorithm. They bring real-world insights to the classroom.
- Batch Success Manager: On-campus software engineer with two to three years of experience providing guidance and support to students to ensure their smooth progress.
- Mentors: Bangalore-based industry professionals from companies like Amazon, Flipkart and Microsoft provide direct career advice for offline mentoring sessions.
- Super Mentors: Well-known personalities from the tech industry, including Zomato co-founder Deepinder Goyal, Zeta CEO Bhavin Turakhia, and former Microsoft India MD Rajan Anandan, provide inspiration and strategic advice at regular campus sessions.
How does SST help students gain hands-on experience of coding from day one?
First year SST students showcasing their project to former Microsoft India head at the Innovation Lab
Anshuman Singh: When we started Scalar, we agreed to prioritize practical coding experience from day one. Our diverse student pool has only 25-30% who have prior coding experience, while 70-75% start with zero background. Our admissions focus on problem-solving ability, mathematical aptitude, and interest in studying at SST, rather than prior coding skills.
To ensure effective learning for all students, our curriculum begins with the basics of computer programming. In the first quarter, students have two to three classes per day, followed by lab sessions to apply their learning through projects. This hands-on approach helps them build a strong GitHub portfolio, which serves as a resume for coders, showcasing their skills and accomplishments until graduation. At Scaler, students don’t just learn coding; they live it, constantly refining their skills through practical, real-world applications right from the beginning of their educational journey.
What career options are available to students after completing the four-year Computer Science program at SST?
Anshuman Singh: At SST, we emphasize on continuous learning and practical experience. Our grading system involves continuous assessment through small assignments instead of exams, which encourages constant improvement by focusing on becoming 1% better every day.
After completing a four-year computer science program in college, students have three primary career options:
- Employability in top tech companies: Our strong industry relationships and proven track record keep our students in high demand. We have partnerships with over 1200 companies, including Amazon, Google, Flipkart and Dukaan.
- Entrepreneurship: Through our unique idea of Innovation Lab, we provide guidance, funding and resources to help students launch successful startups. Our goal is to have at least 10 companies emerge from our first batch.
- Higher studies: For students pursuing further education such as a master’s degree in the US, we offer a parallel BSc program in Computer Science from BITS Pilani exclusively through Coursera. During this 4-year course, students can also pursue an MSc from Woolf University, helping them obtain an internationally recognized degree. This ensures that they complete the required 16 years of formal education while benefiting from our practical, industry-focused curriculum.
What extracurricular activities and clubs are available at SST to enhance students’ learning experience?
SST students participating in inter college football tournament
Anshuman Singh: Talking about the vibrant extracurricular activities and clubs at SST, we believe it is important as it enhances the student experience beyond academics. We value learning beyond the classroom. Our student-led campus features structured leadership, which includes student president, vice president, and secretary. Various clubs such as Coding Club, Open Source Club, Cultural Club, Media Club, and TED Talk Tribe make up the student body.
We have recently expanded our campus to include a sports area with facilities for football, cricket, basketball and badminton. Each student also receives a Cult Gym membership, giving access to gyms near campus and across India.
What characteristics and skills does SST look for in prospective students during the selection process?
Anshuman Singh: Since we run a CS program, we have aligned our admission process to global standards and select the right candidates. Globally, admissions often combine test scores with profile-based assessments like interviews or statements of purpose. Similarly, our scalar National Scholarship and Entrance Test (NSET) at SST follows the same approach. Admissions for 2024 are currently open, detailed information about them is available here Entry Page,
The NSET focuses on mathematics, logic and learning ability – areas crucial for computer science – and leaves out irrelevant subjects such as chemistry. The exam is a two-hour online, supervised test. Shortlisted candidates then have to undergo an interview to present a project, highlight extracurricular achievements and answer questions on mathematics and learning ability. This holistic approach evaluates the overall profile and potential, not just the test scores.
What makes our process different is its comprehensive nature. We also consider the profile and interests of the candidates. For example, we shortlist students with significant achievements such as participation in the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI). This ensures that we recognise diverse achievements and skills. Our goal is to admit students who are academically competent, passionate and well-prepared, ready to excel in the dynamic field of computer science.
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