Chennai: In a pioneering move, Prof. Mahesh Panchagnula of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has launched a first-of-its-kind podcast aimed at simplifying career decisions for students in science and technology.

Titled 'Prof. Mahesh Podcast. Future. Simplyfied,' the weekly series will offer multilingual content, expert insights, and student-focused discussions to guide young minds through the rapidly evolving STEM landscape.

Supported by IIT Madras Global (Office of Global Engagement), the podcast will be available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms.

It seeks to address the growing need for accessible and credible career guidance amid the dynamic technological ecosystem.

Launching the initiative on campus, IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti said, “We want to create pathways for bright students to pursue their passions and contribute meaningfully to society. This podcast will fix the information asymmetry faced by many families today.”

Prof. Mahesh Panchagnula, Head of the Centre of Excellence on Sports Science and Analytics and Dean (Emeritus), IIT Madras, said, “This podcast is about cutting through misinformation and making reliable, updated career information accessible to students and parents across India. It's time we took the stress out of decision-making.”

Known for his leadership in fundraising, innovation, and entrepreneurship at IIT Madras, Prof. Panchagnula also played a key role in launching Shaastra, India's first tech magazine from a premier academic institution, and co-founded the Nirmaan pre-incubator that has supported over 125 startups.

The inaugural episode features Prof. Madhura Swaminathan (ISI Bangalore) on agricultural intelligence and Prof. Balaraman Ravindran (IIT Madras) on AI and data science trends.

Watch Full Episodes:
YouTube: @ProfMaheshPodcast
Clips: @ProfMaheshShorts
Instagram: @profmaheshpodcast