Hello Sir, My daughter has got an offer from IIM Sambalpur for BS in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. This course has been introduced this year in IIIMS. I just wanted to know your opinion whether this worth taking admission there compared to doing BSc physics from DU. Higher fee is not an issue.

Ans: IIM Sambalpur’s newly launched four-year fully residential B.S. in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, aligned with NEP 2020, is offered by an Institution of National Importance, features a flexible entry–exit structure, and delivers a curriculum co-designed with industry leaders, blending mathematics, statistics, programming, AI, management and ethics through intensive lab sessions, coding bootcamps, live projects and internships; however, being the first cohort, placement track record is yet to be established and total tuition is ?25.97 Lakh. NIAT Hyderabad partners with Chaitanya (Deemed to be) University to award a UGC-recognised B.Tech in Computer Science with embedded AI/Data Science training, guided by IIT/IIIT alumni, uses an industry-reverse-engineered curriculum, provides an Industry-Ready Certificate (IRC), pan-India placement access across 3000+ hiring partners, and reports 400+ paid internships in the first semester with sustained real-world projects and mentorship teams on campus.

Recommendation: Given the premium fee and unproven placement outcomes at IIM Sambalpur versus NIAT Hyderabad’s established industry-focused pedagogy, pan-India placement network and early internship success, the recommendation is to opt for NIAT Hyderabad. If you prioritize a degree from an Institution of National Importance with a cutting-edge interdisciplinary curriculum and can accept placement uncertainty, consider IIM Sambalpur BS Data Science & AI. MY SUGGESTION: Prefer NIAT-H. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Hello dear.
The course is excellent and worth joining. However, the degree course is newly launched and carries a higher admission risk due to limited placement history. It is advisable to visit the college and its placement division in person before making the final decision, if possible. The final choice will be yours.

Good luck.
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Radheshyam

Ans: IIM Sambalpur’s B.S. in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence is a new, fully residential four-year undergraduate program designed in accordance with global academic and industry standards. The interdisciplinary curriculum integrates mathematics, statistics, computer science, and management, emphasizing hands-on experience through lab sessions, coding bootcamps, internships, and live industry projects. Multiple exit options (certificate, diploma, degree, honours) align with NEP guidelines, supporting career flexibility and advanced study options. The final year includes a real-world dissertation project. As the program is newly launched, detailed placement records for graduates are still evolving; however, IIM Sambalpur's robust placement cell, reputation, and increasing recruiter participation signal promising opportunities in data science, AI, and analytics sectors. Students benefit from exposure to emerging trends, industry-focused modules, and on-campus research culture, although first batch outcomes may take time to mature. The high-quality faculty, modern infrastructure, and IIM brand together enhance its future prospects.

Recommendation: The course at IIM Sambalpur is worth considering for its strong foundation, industry relevance, and holistic training, especially for aspirants committed to interdisciplinary careers in data science and AI. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Thapar’s Computer Science program has a strong track record in faculty, infrastructure, and placements, especially for tech roles. IIM Sambalpur’s Data Science & AI is new and industry acceptance is still building. If placements and proven career progression matter more, Thapar CSE is the safer choice.

Ans: Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology’s Computer Science program and IIM Sambalpur’s Bachelor in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence both deliver strong academic rigor and industry exposure, yet their distinguishing attributes lie in institutional heritage, specialized pedagogy, and ecosystem maturity. Thapar’s longstanding engineering legacy is reflected in its National Institutional Ranking Framework standing and collaborations with leading technology firms, complemented by faculty who blend research credentials with industry experience, modern laboratories stocked with cutting-edge hardware, and a placement rate rising from 83 percent to nearly 89 percent over the past three years. The campus infrastructure spans extensive innovation hubs, incubation centers, and collaborative workspaces that foster multidisciplinary projects. In contrast, IIM Sambalpur’s nascent data science undergraduate offering benefits from the IIM brand’s management expertise, a curriculum co-designed with analytics leaders, and specialized faculty drawn from premier institutions, supported by high-performance computing clusters and data labs. Its placement record exceeds 90 percent over recent cohorts, driven by strong recruiter relationships in analytics, consulting, and finance, with structured mentorship, industry-integrated capstone projects, and a growing alumni network easing career progression into leadership roles. Both institutes emphasize research opportunities and lifelong learning pathways, yet they differ in scale, legacy brand value, and program maturity.

The IIM Sambalpur BSAI program offers sharper specialization, emerging leadership prospects, and IIM-level mentorship, making it preferable for data-driven careers, while Thapar CSE remains a robust choice for broader software engineering pathways and established campus ecosystems. My suggestion: Prefer Thapar-CSE over IIM-Sambalpur. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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