No, NIAT is neither fake or a scam, it is an Upskilling Program which prepares students for Industry Ready Jobs in cutting AI technologies. Along with this, NIAT has also collaborated with more than 35 UGC approved Universities to offer BTech degrees.
NIAT full form is NxtWave of Innovation in Advanced Technologies which is an Excellence Centre and is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements. Its continuously updated skill map, aligned with industry needs, and greater emphasis on hands-on projects make it a different Training Centre than a traditional BTech college. This creates a confusion among students and parents which raises questions for its authenticity.
With the practical approach, Industry ready skill map, and career support, NIAT also takes care of the theoretical part and values the importance of traditional degree. For this, NIAT has collaborated with more than 35 UGC approved Universities and Institutions where students can get their regular BTech degree.
Is NIAT A Scam?
No, NIAT is not a scam at all and should not be labelled so. It is an upskilling program by NxtWave, not a university or degree-awarding institution. For clear understanding, students should thoroughly research about NIAT and know all the details before taking admission.
The educational approach of the NIAT ecosystem is a bit different than that of a Traditional education system of colleges. The Upskilling program of NIAT is a complementary course to the BTech degree and is delivered in the Training Centre provided by the Collaborating Universities.
NIATians can now earn IIT Kharagpur OCN Micro-Specialisation in Generative and Agentic AI. Students who complete this will earn:
IIT Kharagpur OCN Micro-Specialisation Certificate
IIT Kharagpur OCN Student Identity Card & email ID for the programme duration
IIT Kharagpur OCN Alumni Status upon successful completion
NOTE: IIT Kharagpur provides specific micro-specialisation course(s) to students of the NIAT upskilling program through its Outreach Course Network. The Industry Ready Certificate (IRC) for the upskilling program is awarded solely by NIAT.
NIAT has also collaborated with Open AI and is recognised by NSDC as well. Given below are the recognitions and affiliations of NIAT, along with Industry associations, Government Collaborations, and Global Exposures.
Category | Recognition and Collaboration | Details |
|---|---|---|
Recognitions & Affiliations | NSDC | NxtWave, the organisation behind NIAT, has an association with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). |
Industry Association | NASSCOM | NxtWave has collaborated with NASSCOM on initiatives related to technology and skill development. |
Startup Ecosystem | Startup India | NxtWave has been recognised within the Startup India ecosystem. |
AI & Technology | OpenAI Academy | NxtWave/NIAT has collaborated with OpenAI Academy on AI-focused learning initiatives. |
Global Technology | TIER IV & Autoware Foundation | NxtWave has collaborated with Japan’s TIER IV and the Autoware Foundation on initiatives related to autonomous vehicle technology and developer communities. |
Government Collaboration | Telangana Government | NxtWave has signed an MoU with the Telangana Government in connection with initiatives related to AI and technology upskilling. |
Industry Recognition | Deloitte | NxtWave has been recognised by Deloitte among India’s fast-growing technology companies. |
Global Exposure | World Economic Forum | Rahul Attuluri, CEO of NxtWave, has participated in discussions associated with the World Economic Forum, including its Tianjin event. |
Industry & Academic Guidance | Industry and academic leaders | NIAT highlights guidance and insights from experienced professionals and academicians, including Dr. S. S. Mantha, former Chairman of AICTE; Ramakant Sharma, Co-Founder & COO of Livspace; etc. |
Student Achievements | Hackathons & technology events | NIAT students have participated in and received recognition through hackathons and technology-focused events. |
AI & Industry Initiatives | Build for Telangana | NIAT students participated in the Build for Telangana initiative, involving technology and AI-focused activities. |
Credentials | B.Tech degree + NIAT upskilling credentials | BTech Degree from Collaborating University + IRC |
Why Do Some Students Call NIAT a Scam?
As NIAT is a very new Upskilling Program Centre which has been launched in the year 2023 by NxtWave, students sometimes get confused about its structure, programs, curriculum, fees, and admission process. With too much information from various platforms and few students’ expectations of NIAT to be like the Traditional BTech colleges along with lack of data on placement has created this confusion of NIAT being a scam.
But the reality is different, as NIAT is an Upskilling Training Centre which solely helps students gain industry-relevant technology skills through practical learning, hands-on projects, mentorship, and exposure to emerging technologies alongside their university education.
Does NIAT Guarantee Jobs or Internships?
NIAT provides career and placement assistance. However, it does not guarantee a job or internship. Final placement results depend on individual student performance, technical skills, consistency, and active profile building.
However, NIAT gives plenty of opportunities for the students to practice and excel in their selected fields. Final placement results depend on individual student performance, technical skills, consistency, and active profile building. NIATians are building projects, hackathons, and start ups the students are creating and generating revenues before they are even turning 21.
Also, every month, 100+ companies reach out to NxtWave for hiring. We continuously strive to strengthen our placement assistance. More than 200 students got paid Internship with INR 32.92 Crore stipends.
Is NIAT Worth Considering?
Whether NIAT is worth considering depends on what a student expects from the program. It may be relevant for students who want an additional technology-focused learning environment alongside their university education and prefer project-based and industry-oriented learning.
However, students who are primarily looking for a conventional university experience should separately compare the collaborating university with other B.Tech options. NIAT is worth considering for students who:
Want practical, project-based learning alongside their university degree.
Are interested in coding, AI, emerging technologies, and other technology skills.
Prefer an industry-oriented learning approach rather than only classroom-based learning.
Are ready to take dual programs for a brighter future in the Tech Industry. The Industry Ready Upskilling Program from NIAT and the BTech degree from the collaborating University.
Are comfortable with an intensive and technology-focused learning environment.
Are ready for hands-on projects along with theoretical knowledge.
What Should Students Check Before Joining NIAT?
Students and parents should complete basic due diligence before paying any fee. The below pointers will help both the students and parents to match their expectations with the educational quality and curriculum provided by the NIAT and its collaborating Universities.
Verify the collaborating university: The NIAT collaborating university should be checked independently. Students should confirm its degree program, eligibility criteria, academic regulations, fee structure, campus, and infrastructure.
To have a Clear Understanding of Degree Awarding Body: The degree should be clearly identified as a degree of the collaborating university, not a degree awarded by NIAT. NIAT gives IRC after completion of the program.
Get the complete fee structure in writing: The total cost should include both the relevant collaborating university charges and NIAT’s applicable upskilling fee, along with other expected expenses.
Read the refund policy: Students should understand the conditions under which fees can or cannot be refunded before making payment for the collaborating University and NIAT.
Queries About Placement and Internships: Both students and parents should know in detail about the Placement statistics and the career support that is going to be provided.
Speak to current students: The best way to know clearly about NIAT is to directly talk to the students studying there. Speaking directly with students at the specific collaborating university can provide useful information about the actual day-to-day experience.
Mentors and Super Teacher: You should also know in detail about the mentors of NIAT and faculty of the collaborating University.
Conclusion
NIAT is an Upskilling Program designed to help students build industry-relevant technology skills through practical learning, projects, mentorship, coding, and exposure to emerging technologies. It is different from a traditional B.Tech college because NIAT does not award the B.Tech degree. The B.Tech degree is awarded by the respective collaborating university, while NIAT provides its own upskilling program and Industry Ready Certificate (IRC).
The available recognitions, industry collaborations, government associations, technology partnerships, and student activities provide additional context about the ecosystem. However, students should not treat these associations as a substitute for checking the specific collaborating university, fee structure, degree-awarding body, refund policy, placement information, and academic requirements.
Therefore, students should not label NIAT as fake or a scam simply because its model differs from a conventional B.Tech college. At the same time, students and parents should conduct proper due diligence and understand exactly what NIAT provides and what the collaborating university provides before making an enrollment decision.
FAQs
1.How do students manage the NIAT curriculum with the university syllabus?
NIAT's upskilling program is designed to run alongside the student's university education. Students should understand the academic schedule, class structure, workload, and requirements of both before joining, particularly because the learning environment can be intensive and technology-focused.
2.Who conducts the semester exams, the university or NIAT?
The collaborating university is responsible for its B.Tech academic program and associated academic requirements. Students should confirm the exact examination process and regulations directly with their respective university before enrollment.
3.Does NIAT provide a B.Tech degree?
No. NIAT does not award the B.Tech degree. The B.Tech degree is provided by the respective collaborating university. NIAT provides its upskilling program and Industry Ready Certificate after completion.
4.Does paying NIAT fees mean paying Collaborating University fees?
NIAT's upskilling fee and the university's academic fees are separate components. NIAT's role is related to the upskilling program. The collaborating university independently handles its degree program and associated academic requirements. There is NIAT Upskilling fee and the University fee which can include University academic fee, hostel and accommodation charges, if applicable, food or mess charges, if applicable. The total fee ranges from INR 8 Lakhs to INR 18 Lakhs for 4 year duration.
5.What certificate does NIAT provide?
NIAT awards an Industry Ready Certificate (IRC) for its upskilling program. The IRC is awarded by NIAT and should not be confused with the B.Tech degree awarded by the collaborating university.