u/Lamba_ghoda

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some honest input from people who've been down this road or know the landscape well.

My background:

• B.Com in Finance & Accounting from Delhi University (2019)
• During Covid somewhat made my way into machine learning by doing self study at home.
• Currently a Senior ML Engineer at a large financial data/tech company in Bengaluru
• Day-to-day work spans around NLP/LLM systems, real-time ML pipelines, distributed data infra, and AWS.

What I'm trying to do: I want to seriously deepen my foundations in applied mathematics for ML — think probability, linear algebra, optimization, statistical learning theory, the actual mathematical machinery behind modern ML rather than just the engineering side. I've been doing ML professionally for a few years now and I keep hitting the ceiling where deeper math intuition would make me significantly better at my job (and at research-leaning problems).

My constraints:

• Can't leave my job. I need a fully online / part-time / WILP-style program.
• Based in India, so an Indian program is ideal (IISc, IIT online degrees, CMI, ISI, BITS, etc, i know getting into top tiers college is very very hard for someone whose background isn't in engineering but still if there's any way they accept non-techincal degree holders, I would like to know more about how one can enrol for such programes)
• Open to foreign universities too if the program is genuinely online and the time zones work out

What I'd love input on:

1. Programs you'd actually recommend (and ones to avoid) for applied math / mathematical ML at the master's level, fully online
2. If anyone has done IIT/IISc online degrees coming from non-technical background in math/stats/ML while working full-time, how was the experience and workload?

Not looking for career change advice happy in my role. Just trying to build deeper foundations the right way. Any pointers appreciated.

Just sharing my experience here so others can be aware before buying.
I recently ordered an ergonomic standing desk that promised technician installation within 24–48 hours after delivery. The desk arrived on time, but it has now been more than 6 days and no technician has been assigned despite multiple follow-ups with customer support.

Every time I contacted them, I only got the same response: “We have escalated the issue and I see that a technician has been assigned” but when I ask about sharing the details of that technician, they said we don’t have that as of now. No actual update or resolution. The worst part is that the desk is just sitting unusable because the instruction manual is extremely unclear for someone assembling it for the first time, and they don’t even provide a proper DIY video.

For a premium ergonomic product, I expected much better after-sales support. The entire experience has honestly been frustrating and disappointing.

Just wanted to post this so others consider the customer service aspect as well before purchasing.