Regional balance as well as academic excellence in making new IITs and IIESTs

PU may finally get Central varsity status


PATNA: The Centre has decided to open an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Bihar besides an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT).

It has also decided to accord Central university status to one of the universities in the state, preferably Patna Univeristy.

The announcements were made by Union minister of state for HRD MAA Fatmi at the inaugural ceremony of a new experiment of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) called "On Demand Examination" here on Monday.

Fatmi said, "The proposal for one IIT for Bihar and two for Orissa and one Western Indian state besides one IIIT to Bihar will be included in 11th Five Year Plan". He said that five universities were being upgraded as Central universities of which one will be from Bihar. "The process for the upgrade has already started," he said.

The Union junior minister further said that Institute of Science are going to be opened in Kolkata, Pune and Punjab. In Kolkata, the foundation has already been laid, he added.

A bit critical of the state government, Fatmi said the Centre has allotted Rs 2400 crore under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).

"Kasturba Gandhi Residential Schools for girls were sanctioned for 128 blocks of Bihar but so far only 62 have been established. A huge fund of Rs 1300 crore for construction of school buildings under SSA is lying with the state government," he said.

"The Centre is releasing funds in the name of SSA but the state government has changed the name of the scheme to Mukhyamantri Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan," he said adding they were not authorised to change the name. Similarly, funds have been provided for 4000 madarsas of Bihar under the innovative education scheme but only 400 have got the money so far, he said...

The following does not say which IIT agrees to set up a center
in Kerala. Most likely it is probably IIT Madras.
Chitta

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IIT agrees to set up centre in Kerala: CM

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 16. (PTI): The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has agreed in principle to set up a centre in Kerala with an investment of Rs 800 crore, Chief Minister V S A chuthanandan said here on Tuesday.

The centre, to come up on 200 acres of land, would give a boost to technical education in Kerala, Achuthanandan said in his Independence Day address at the central stadium here.

Stating that Kerala was in the process of improving infrastructure facilities, he said the hurdles in the implementation of the Vallarpadam International Container Terminal had been removed. Environment clearance from the Centre for road-connectivity for the project had already been obtained.

The Chief Minister said the Government has convened an all-party meeting here today to discuss the issues connected with the container terminal.

The State would continue to put pressure on the Centre for the developmnet of Azhikal Harbour and to ensure that the Kannur International Airport became a reality, he said.

Along with plans to develop infrastructure, the Government has also taken steps for the growth traditional industries like coir, handloom, fisheries and cashew, he said.

Since assuming power two months back, the LDF Government's priority has been to help farmers reeling under financial crisis and also families of farmers who had committed suicide.

The Government had already decided to waive off loans of farmers who committed suicide, he said, adding that the Centre has promised a 'Vidarbha' model package for farmers of Waynad, Palakkad and Kasargode.

On the recently-passed Kerala self-financing professional colleges bill, Achuthanandan said merit and social justice would become a reality in the higher education sector once clearance of the judiciary was obtained for the legislation.

On the Information Technology front, he said the Government proposed to generate two lakh jobs in the IT sector in the next five years. Steps had already been taken to expand the Techno Park here and the Info Park in Kochi.

Several IT companies have evinced interest in investing in Kerala and it was expected that 25,000 jobs would be available in two years in Info Park alone, he said.

The Government would protect the state's interests while providing all necessary support to IT investors, he added.

This was also an occasion for all to take a pledge to fight extremist elements and communal forces in the country, Achuthanandan said.

Earlier, Achuthanandan took the salute at an impressive parade by various organisations, including police, NCC, scouts and children from nearby schools.

The Chief Minister also presented medals to police officials on the occasion.

Staff shortage: IIT writes to Govt for help

Meenal Dubey

New Delhi, August 16, 2006

IIT Delhi still suffers from 25 per cent of faculty shortage. The institute’s authorities have written to the HRD ministry in this regard. The institute is hoping to rope in more teachers in forthcoming months and is devising a strategy to compensate teachers with regard to their salaries.

At present, there are 421 faculty members. Asked if IIT authorities had brought this to the notice of the government, director Surendra Prasad said: “We have written to the government and we are hopeful that it will be addressed.”

Referring to the quota decision, he said, “If seats are increased at IIT, then more faculty would be required. This is crucial and the issue of faculty compensation has to be addressed. We are also trying to contemplate how to top up the faculty’s salaries,” said Prasad. “Teachers have a good and a simple quality of life on the campus and facilities are provided to them. We can help the teachers through research grants from our side but the matter requires some debate and contemplation.”

Another immediate challenge facing IIT Delhi is updating of the existing infrastructure. “There is limited scope for growth on the campus but things have to be worked out. We are also in favour of the idea of establishing a second campus nearby,” Prasad added. “We also aim to create more room for the faculty, better equipment for research and add more classrooms and lecture halls. But this would require funds and time.”

The good news for IIT is that the institute received funds to the tune of Rs 27.5 crore for sponsored projects and Rs 11.8 crore for constancy assignments. “These funds were more compared to last year,” Prasad said. “However, research remains a top priority for us and we want to double our research output.”