Friday, December 29, 2006
IIT plan to set up satellite campus in Guj hits snag
IIT plan to set up satellite campus in Guj hits snag
Akshaya Mukul
[ 29 Dec, 2006 0150hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
RSS Feeds| SMS NEWS to 8888 for latest updates
NEW DELHI: IIT-Mumbai's plan to start a satellite campus in Gujarat, which could have gradually become a full-fledged IIT, IIT-Mumbai's plan to start a satellite campus in Gujarat, which could have gradually become a full-fledged IIT, may not take place early.. Reason: Centre's approval was not taken.
But the political subtext, according to sources, is that a Congress-ruled centre would not offer an IIT to BJP-ruled Gujarat under Narendra Modi.
The fact that Gujarat also goes to election by the end of next year would mean that Centre would not like the state government to showcase IIT as an achievement.
Armed with a go-ahead from its board, IIT-M had approached Gujarat government which immediately agreed to give free land near Gandhinagar. The state government had even demarcated the land.
But the Centre's approval was still needed for funds to build the campus. The finance ministry had also said that new campus amounted to setting up a new project which would require necessary clearance from the Centre.
When the technical lapse was brought to IIT-M's notice, it sent a fresh proposal to HRD ministry for a satellite campus in Gujarat.
But with HRD already having proposed two more IITs in the 11th Plan, it needs to be seen if the approval comes for Gujarat or elsewhere. Sources say political considerations could play a major role.
During the winter session of Parliament, a number of Gujarat MPs had asked a question about the IIT campus in Gujarat. HRD ministry's reply has been that there is no such plan.
Refusing to get drawn into a political fight that might ensue, a senior IIT-M functionary said, "We are hopeful of getting the Centre's nod." He said IIT-M is not the only one which has applied for a satellite campus. IIT-Chennai proposes to set up a satellite campus in Kerala and IIT-Kharagpur in Orissa. "If one gets approved, others would also would," he said.
Akshaya Mukul
[ 29 Dec, 2006 0150hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
RSS Feeds| SMS NEWS to 8888 for latest updates
NEW DELHI: IIT-Mumbai's plan to start a satellite campus in Gujarat, which could have gradually become a full-fledged IIT, IIT-Mumbai's plan to start a satellite campus in Gujarat, which could have gradually become a full-fledged IIT, may not take place early.. Reason: Centre's approval was not taken.
But the political subtext, according to sources, is that a Congress-ruled centre would not offer an IIT to BJP-ruled Gujarat under Narendra Modi.
The fact that Gujarat also goes to election by the end of next year would mean that Centre would not like the state government to showcase IIT as an achievement.
Armed with a go-ahead from its board, IIT-M had approached Gujarat government which immediately agreed to give free land near Gandhinagar. The state government had even demarcated the land.
But the Centre's approval was still needed for funds to build the campus. The finance ministry had also said that new campus amounted to setting up a new project which would require necessary clearance from the Centre.
When the technical lapse was brought to IIT-M's notice, it sent a fresh proposal to HRD ministry for a satellite campus in Gujarat.
But with HRD already having proposed two more IITs in the 11th Plan, it needs to be seen if the approval comes for Gujarat or elsewhere. Sources say political considerations could play a major role.
During the winter session of Parliament, a number of Gujarat MPs had asked a question about the IIT campus in Gujarat. HRD ministry's reply has been that there is no such plan.
Refusing to get drawn into a political fight that might ensue, a senior IIT-M functionary said, "We are hopeful of getting the Centre's nod." He said IIT-M is not the only one which has applied for a satellite campus. IIT-Chennai proposes to set up a satellite campus in Kerala and IIT-Kharagpur in Orissa. "If one gets approved, others would also would," he said.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
IITs to come up in Bihar, Andhra and Rajasthan (Dec 21)
JAIPUR: With the Union human resource development ministry approval, the path has been cleared for the setting up of three more Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) — in Rajasthan, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. At present there are seven IITs in the country — in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kharagpur, Kanpur, Roorkee, Chennai and Guwahati.
Vasudeo Devnani, minister of state for education, Rajasthan has been demanding the opening of an IIT for sometime now, as students from the state qualify in large number in IIT-JEE entrance and the state has produced number of toppers in the examination.
Rajasthan government is yet to decide where the IIT would be located, as the state government will have to make available 500 to 600 acres of land for setting up the institute. The chances are that it would be set up either in Jaipur or Kota.
Earlier, the state government had proposed that Kota Engineering College run by the state government be converted into an IIT, as all the necessary infrastructure was available there.
Vasudeo Devnani, minister of state for education, Rajasthan has been demanding the opening of an IIT for sometime now, as students from the state qualify in large number in IIT-JEE entrance and the state has produced number of toppers in the examination.
Rajasthan government is yet to decide where the IIT would be located, as the state government will have to make available 500 to 600 acres of land for setting up the institute. The chances are that it would be set up either in Jaipur or Kota.
Earlier, the state government had proposed that Kota Engineering College run by the state government be converted into an IIT, as all the necessary infrastructure was available there.
IIT plan to set up satellite campus in Guj (and other places?) hits snag
IIT plan to set up satellite campus in Guj hits snag
Akshaya Mukul
[ 29 Dec, 2006 0150hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
NEW DELHI: IIT-Mumbai's plan to start a satellite campus in Gujarat, which could have gradually become a full-fledged IIT, IIT-Mumbai's plan to start a satellite campus in Gujarat, which could have gradually become a full-fledged IIT, may not take place early.. Reason: Centre's approval was not taken.
But the political subtext, according to sources, is that a Congress-ruled centre would not offer an IIT to BJP-ruled Gujarat under Narendra Modi.
The fact that Gujarat also goes to election by the end of next year would mean that Centre would not like the state government to showcase IIT as an achievement.
Armed with a go-ahead from its board, IIT-M had approached Gujarat government which immediately agreed to give free land near Gandhinagar. The state government had even demarcated the land.
But the Centre's approval was still needed for funds to build the campus. The finance ministry had also said that new campus amounted to setting up a new project which would require necessary clearance from the Centre.
When the technical lapse was brought to IIT-M's notice, it sent a fresh proposal to HRD ministry for a satellite campus in Gujarat.
But with HRD already having proposed two more IITs in the 11th Plan, it needs to be seen if the approval comes for Gujarat or elsewhere. Sources say political considerations could play a major role.
During the winter session of Parliament, a number of Gujarat MPs had asked a question about the IIT campus in Gujarat. HRD ministry's reply has been that there is no such plan.
Refusing to get drawn into a political fight that might ensue, a senior IIT-M functionary said, "We are hopeful of getting the Centre's nod." He said IIT-M is not the only one which has applied for a satellite campus. IIT-Chennai proposes to set up a satellite campus in Kerala and IIT-Kharagpur in Orissa. "If one gets approved, others would also would," he said.
Akshaya Mukul
[ 29 Dec, 2006 0150hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
NEW DELHI: IIT-Mumbai's plan to start a satellite campus in Gujarat, which could have gradually become a full-fledged IIT, IIT-Mumbai's plan to start a satellite campus in Gujarat, which could have gradually become a full-fledged IIT, may not take place early.. Reason: Centre's approval was not taken.
But the political subtext, according to sources, is that a Congress-ruled centre would not offer an IIT to BJP-ruled Gujarat under Narendra Modi.
The fact that Gujarat also goes to election by the end of next year would mean that Centre would not like the state government to showcase IIT as an achievement.
Armed with a go-ahead from its board, IIT-M had approached Gujarat government which immediately agreed to give free land near Gandhinagar. The state government had even demarcated the land.
But the Centre's approval was still needed for funds to build the campus. The finance ministry had also said that new campus amounted to setting up a new project which would require necessary clearance from the Centre.
When the technical lapse was brought to IIT-M's notice, it sent a fresh proposal to HRD ministry for a satellite campus in Gujarat.
But with HRD already having proposed two more IITs in the 11th Plan, it needs to be seen if the approval comes for Gujarat or elsewhere. Sources say political considerations could play a major role.
During the winter session of Parliament, a number of Gujarat MPs had asked a question about the IIT campus in Gujarat. HRD ministry's reply has been that there is no such plan.
Refusing to get drawn into a political fight that might ensue, a senior IIT-M functionary said, "We are hopeful of getting the Centre's nod." He said IIT-M is not the only one which has applied for a satellite campus. IIT-Chennai proposes to set up a satellite campus in Kerala and IIT-Kharagpur in Orissa. "If one gets approved, others would also would," he said.
BESU and IIEST
MISHANDLING AN ENORMOUS TASK
Upgradation of Besu as an institute of national importance is necessary to give technical education in India a better future, writes Anasuya Basu
If it is so easy to expect farmers at Singur to give up their two-crop land for the sake of industrial growth then why is it so difficult for the state government give up its control over Bengal Engineering and Science University for the sake of better education?
In April 2004, Amaljyoti Sengupta, the vice-chancellor of the then deemed university, had submitted a proposal to upgrade Besu to an institute of national importance on its 150th year. This coincided with the proposal of the ministry of human resource development to upgrade Besu, along with six others selected from among 150 technical education institutes in the country, in line with the Vision Document 2020. The seven institutes were studied, their performance measured, faculty, students and staff interviewed by committees appointed by the ministry. After the scrutiny, it was let known that Besu topped among the seven institutes in terms of performance and existing infrastructure. Yet, the 150-year-old institute still awaits its upgradation.
The HRD ministry, which spearheaded the proposal, seems to be on the backfoot. Its recent announcement of setting up three new IITs seems to be in contravention of its proposal to upgrade the seven institutes. The West Bengal government, on its part, has raised questions regarding governance and admission of students. The state higher education minister, apprehensive that students of the state will fail to compete at a national level for admission, has sought region-specific reservation of seats. Such myopic and parochial considerations are going to ruin chances of growth of an institute that has provided a steady supply of quality manpower.
But can the state really afford to give up such an opportunity to better the education scenario? Higher technical education has not had a very long history in India. The first engineering college — Roorkee College — was established in 1847. Right after that, in 1856, came Besu. At the end of the 19th century, India had four engineering colleges at the degree level, about 20 survey and technical institutions and about 50 industrial schools.
After independence, considering the enormity of the task of nation-building, trained technical manpower was required in much larger numbers. The N.R. Sarkar committee recommended the establishment of four higher technical institutions in the country. The idea was to provide a non-specialized orientation and integrated curricula that would encourage students to think creatively. The products of these institutions were expected to be “creative scientist-engineers” and technical leaders with a broad outlook. Thus the IITs were conceived as institutes of national importance. They were established by an act of parliament and funded liberally by the Central government. They were given a high degree of functional autonomy.
After four decades, the need for more trained technical manpower is again being felt. India is trying to be a knowledge-based industrial centre rather than merely a manufacturing centre. The need for high calibre technical institutions to provide trained manpower is being acutely felt.
There were proposals to convert the regional engineering colleges into IITs. Eventually, they were designated as National Institutes of Technology with deemed university status. But simply renaming institutions which do not possess the inherent strength of IITs, will not suffice. It is essential for them to imbibe those attributes which made the IITs a success. Starting more new IITs would require large-scale funding and a large and competent faculty. It was thus prudent to identify existing institutions that were capable of acquiring the features of IITs.
And this is what the S.K. Joshi committee, appointed by the HRD ministry, did. It identified seven institutes across the country, which had the potential to turn into IITs. Apart from Besu and Jadavpur University, there are the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Cochin University of Science and Technology, College of Engineering, Andhra University, University Colleges of Engineering and Technology, Osmania University and Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University. The Anandakrishnan committee surveyed these seven institutes and recommended the procedure that would upgrade them to the IIT level. They need not, necessarily, be called IITs, said the committee, suggesting a new nomenclature — Indian Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology. But they should be developed as outstanding institutions by enabling them to acquire the attributes of IITs and innovate newer ones.
The system for designing academic programmes, flexibility in offering new topics, freedom for students to engage in cross-disciplinary programmes, a transparent system of internal evaluation and grading, assessment of teachers by the students and an autonomous and responsive governance are what made the IITs such a resounding success. The proposed IIESTs are supposed to include all of these features and more.
The growth of technical studies in India have so long been concentrated on the four-year undergraduate degree programmes. The number of institutions and their capacity at the MTech and PhD levels have remained the same. Enrolment has also declined. The number of doctorates awarded per year in 1990-99 has increased from 8,388 to 10,951 in all fields of study. But the number of doctorates in engineering has been erratic with a low of 298 to a high of 696 per year during the last decade.
Compared to other countries, India’s performance is dismal. Out of a total 10,500 PhDs in 2001, science and engineering together account for 5,100. Of these, the number of engineering PhDs is estimated at about 800 as compared to 26,354 such PhDs awarded in the United States of America in 1999. The technical education system in India at present is tuned to low-end capability.
To rectify this, and to provide qualified manpower for the knowledge-based industries, the proposed IIESTs are supposed to concentrate on MTech, MSc and PhD level programmes. The newly transformed institutions will offer five-year integrated dual degree (BTech-MTech) programmes and phase out their existing four-year bachelor’s degree programmes. This will allow them to offer innovative programmes with a larger scope of inter- and multi-disciplinary electives which is not easily possible in the four-year time frame.
One of the key features of the IITs is their independent governance system. Each IIT has a board of governors headed by a distinguished academic or an industrialist. Its members are mostly professionals. The council of IITs, chaired by the HRD ministry, which acts as an advisory body, promotes coordination among them. Thus, over the decades, IITs have acquired a distinct brand image as India’s foremost prestigious technical institutions.
But there are other high level institutions like the Indian Institute of Science, the Indian Institutes of Management and a few deemed universities which have a national reputation and have autonomous governance. Thus it is imperative that the proposed IIESTs are granted autonomy in governance if they are to assure good performance. A council similar to the IITs may facilitate synergy.
However, this is where the state government has thrown a spanner in the works. Governance has been the most contentious issue so far as the issue of upgrading Besu is concerned. The state government, insisting on a more participatory mode of governance, has sought a model structured along the lines of Indian Statistical Institute.
The other contentious issue is that of admission of students. Admissions to the five-year dual degree programme should be on an all-India basis through a national level entrance test such as those evolved by the IIESTs. Similarly, the admissions to the two-year MTech course would be based on approved national level examinations. In other words, the students admitted to these institutions would be on the basis of an evaluation of merit at an all-India level.
What will actually transform these institutions into those of international repute will be their ability to attract and retain first-rate faculty. The IISc, the IITs and IIMs have demonstrated this in ample measure. The best possible faculty would have to be inducted in these institutes on an all-India basis. This will give them a balanced composition and help them overcome their predominantly local and regional character.
As for their legal status as INIs, their functions should be prescribed by legislation. Their resources for capital and recurring expenditure should be derived from central funds. Other funds, such as those obtained from state governments or other national or international funding agencies, should have no strings attached in order to preserve their autonomy.
The question now is whether the HRD ministry and the West Bengal government let an IIEST happen in Shibpur? Will the Central and state governments work towards bringing high quality technical education to the state?
Upgradation of Besu as an institute of national importance is necessary to give technical education in India a better future, writes Anasuya Basu
If it is so easy to expect farmers at Singur to give up their two-crop land for the sake of industrial growth then why is it so difficult for the state government give up its control over Bengal Engineering and Science University for the sake of better education?
In April 2004, Amaljyoti Sengupta, the vice-chancellor of the then deemed university, had submitted a proposal to upgrade Besu to an institute of national importance on its 150th year. This coincided with the proposal of the ministry of human resource development to upgrade Besu, along with six others selected from among 150 technical education institutes in the country, in line with the Vision Document 2020. The seven institutes were studied, their performance measured, faculty, students and staff interviewed by committees appointed by the ministry. After the scrutiny, it was let known that Besu topped among the seven institutes in terms of performance and existing infrastructure. Yet, the 150-year-old institute still awaits its upgradation.
The HRD ministry, which spearheaded the proposal, seems to be on the backfoot. Its recent announcement of setting up three new IITs seems to be in contravention of its proposal to upgrade the seven institutes. The West Bengal government, on its part, has raised questions regarding governance and admission of students. The state higher education minister, apprehensive that students of the state will fail to compete at a national level for admission, has sought region-specific reservation of seats. Such myopic and parochial considerations are going to ruin chances of growth of an institute that has provided a steady supply of quality manpower.
But can the state really afford to give up such an opportunity to better the education scenario? Higher technical education has not had a very long history in India. The first engineering college — Roorkee College — was established in 1847. Right after that, in 1856, came Besu. At the end of the 19th century, India had four engineering colleges at the degree level, about 20 survey and technical institutions and about 50 industrial schools.
After independence, considering the enormity of the task of nation-building, trained technical manpower was required in much larger numbers. The N.R. Sarkar committee recommended the establishment of four higher technical institutions in the country. The idea was to provide a non-specialized orientation and integrated curricula that would encourage students to think creatively. The products of these institutions were expected to be “creative scientist-engineers” and technical leaders with a broad outlook. Thus the IITs were conceived as institutes of national importance. They were established by an act of parliament and funded liberally by the Central government. They were given a high degree of functional autonomy.
After four decades, the need for more trained technical manpower is again being felt. India is trying to be a knowledge-based industrial centre rather than merely a manufacturing centre. The need for high calibre technical institutions to provide trained manpower is being acutely felt.
There were proposals to convert the regional engineering colleges into IITs. Eventually, they were designated as National Institutes of Technology with deemed university status. But simply renaming institutions which do not possess the inherent strength of IITs, will not suffice. It is essential for them to imbibe those attributes which made the IITs a success. Starting more new IITs would require large-scale funding and a large and competent faculty. It was thus prudent to identify existing institutions that were capable of acquiring the features of IITs.
And this is what the S.K. Joshi committee, appointed by the HRD ministry, did. It identified seven institutes across the country, which had the potential to turn into IITs. Apart from Besu and Jadavpur University, there are the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Cochin University of Science and Technology, College of Engineering, Andhra University, University Colleges of Engineering and Technology, Osmania University and Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University. The Anandakrishnan committee surveyed these seven institutes and recommended the procedure that would upgrade them to the IIT level. They need not, necessarily, be called IITs, said the committee, suggesting a new nomenclature — Indian Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology. But they should be developed as outstanding institutions by enabling them to acquire the attributes of IITs and innovate newer ones.
The system for designing academic programmes, flexibility in offering new topics, freedom for students to engage in cross-disciplinary programmes, a transparent system of internal evaluation and grading, assessment of teachers by the students and an autonomous and responsive governance are what made the IITs such a resounding success. The proposed IIESTs are supposed to include all of these features and more.
The growth of technical studies in India have so long been concentrated on the four-year undergraduate degree programmes. The number of institutions and their capacity at the MTech and PhD levels have remained the same. Enrolment has also declined. The number of doctorates awarded per year in 1990-99 has increased from 8,388 to 10,951 in all fields of study. But the number of doctorates in engineering has been erratic with a low of 298 to a high of 696 per year during the last decade.
Compared to other countries, India’s performance is dismal. Out of a total 10,500 PhDs in 2001, science and engineering together account for 5,100. Of these, the number of engineering PhDs is estimated at about 800 as compared to 26,354 such PhDs awarded in the United States of America in 1999. The technical education system in India at present is tuned to low-end capability.
To rectify this, and to provide qualified manpower for the knowledge-based industries, the proposed IIESTs are supposed to concentrate on MTech, MSc and PhD level programmes. The newly transformed institutions will offer five-year integrated dual degree (BTech-MTech) programmes and phase out their existing four-year bachelor’s degree programmes. This will allow them to offer innovative programmes with a larger scope of inter- and multi-disciplinary electives which is not easily possible in the four-year time frame.
One of the key features of the IITs is their independent governance system. Each IIT has a board of governors headed by a distinguished academic or an industrialist. Its members are mostly professionals. The council of IITs, chaired by the HRD ministry, which acts as an advisory body, promotes coordination among them. Thus, over the decades, IITs have acquired a distinct brand image as India’s foremost prestigious technical institutions.
But there are other high level institutions like the Indian Institute of Science, the Indian Institutes of Management and a few deemed universities which have a national reputation and have autonomous governance. Thus it is imperative that the proposed IIESTs are granted autonomy in governance if they are to assure good performance. A council similar to the IITs may facilitate synergy.
However, this is where the state government has thrown a spanner in the works. Governance has been the most contentious issue so far as the issue of upgrading Besu is concerned. The state government, insisting on a more participatory mode of governance, has sought a model structured along the lines of Indian Statistical Institute.
The other contentious issue is that of admission of students. Admissions to the five-year dual degree programme should be on an all-India basis through a national level entrance test such as those evolved by the IIESTs. Similarly, the admissions to the two-year MTech course would be based on approved national level examinations. In other words, the students admitted to these institutions would be on the basis of an evaluation of merit at an all-India level.
What will actually transform these institutions into those of international repute will be their ability to attract and retain first-rate faculty. The IISc, the IITs and IIMs have demonstrated this in ample measure. The best possible faculty would have to be inducted in these institutes on an all-India basis. This will give them a balanced composition and help them overcome their predominantly local and regional character.
As for their legal status as INIs, their functions should be prescribed by legislation. Their resources for capital and recurring expenditure should be derived from central funds. Other funds, such as those obtained from state governments or other national or international funding agencies, should have no strings attached in order to preserve their autonomy.
The question now is whether the HRD ministry and the West Bengal government let an IIEST happen in Shibpur? Will the Central and state governments work towards bringing high quality technical education to the state?
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Minister yet to apply mind on IIT issue
SOUTHERN NEWS - KARNATAKA
Dec 27, 2006
Minister yet to apply mind on IIT issue
Tuesday December 26 2006 14:17 IST
DHARWAD: Dharwad City, which had vied with Bangalore earlier to set up prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) seems to have lost battle for Medak in Andhra Pradesh.
With AP Chief Minister Y S Rajashekhara Reddy announcing in the Assembly recently that Union HRD Ministry had agreed to set up the IIT there, space scientist U R Rao Committee recommended Dharwad seemed to have missed the bus in bagging the IIT as the State Government failed to act on time.
When S R Bommai was Union HRD Minister, he had formed U R Rao Committee to recommend locations for setting up of new IITs in the country under 11th Five Year Plan. UR Rao wanted Dharwad to house IIT in south India.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister's scientific adviser CNR Rao too wanted the IIT project to come up either in Mysore or in North Karnataka.
Now, it is the turn of Andhra Pradesh after Tamil Nadu to snatch the project. In 1959 when the Centre proposed to set up IIT in Karnataka, it went to Tamil Nadu.
Sources said the State Government sent a proposal recommending Hasan and Bangalore for an IIT in south.
The IIT loss can be considered as a personal blow to Energy Minister H D Revanna who campaigned to set up the institute in his home district Hasan and sent a proposal to Union HRD Ministry in this connection.
Having known these developments, S R Bommai wrote to Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh in August asking him to implement UR Committee recommendation.
In reply Singh wrote to Bommai on November 30, a copy of which is available with this website's newspaper, that Ministry is in the process of finalising proposals for the 11th Five Year Plan, which will include opening of new technical institutions like IITs/IIMs. Accordingly, your (Bommai's) request will be given due consideration at the appropriate time.
Member of Parliament Prahlad Joshi too has raised the issue during zero hour of Parliament House demanding Centre to set up IIT in Dharwad.
Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar told this paper that he had written to PM Manmohan Singh and Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh assuring State's cooperation in setting up of IIT and was ready to earmark 300 acres of land for the said purpose in City.
He has plans to pressurise the Centre in next a couple of days through Higher Education Minister D H Shankaramurthy.
When contacted Shankaramurthy on Monday over telephone, he told that I am yet to apply my mind on this issue. Officers are on casual leave, so I am presently not informed about this matter.
The Minister said that Congress-ruled AP Government and coalition Karnataka Government had their own ways to take benefits from Centre for their respective states.
State will continue its efforts to persuade Centre to set up IIT in the State.
Dec 27, 2006
Minister yet to apply mind on IIT issue
Tuesday December 26 2006 14:17 IST
DHARWAD: Dharwad City, which had vied with Bangalore earlier to set up prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) seems to have lost battle for Medak in Andhra Pradesh.
With AP Chief Minister Y S Rajashekhara Reddy announcing in the Assembly recently that Union HRD Ministry had agreed to set up the IIT there, space scientist U R Rao Committee recommended Dharwad seemed to have missed the bus in bagging the IIT as the State Government failed to act on time.
When S R Bommai was Union HRD Minister, he had formed U R Rao Committee to recommend locations for setting up of new IITs in the country under 11th Five Year Plan. UR Rao wanted Dharwad to house IIT in south India.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister's scientific adviser CNR Rao too wanted the IIT project to come up either in Mysore or in North Karnataka.
Now, it is the turn of Andhra Pradesh after Tamil Nadu to snatch the project. In 1959 when the Centre proposed to set up IIT in Karnataka, it went to Tamil Nadu.
Sources said the State Government sent a proposal recommending Hasan and Bangalore for an IIT in south.
The IIT loss can be considered as a personal blow to Energy Minister H D Revanna who campaigned to set up the institute in his home district Hasan and sent a proposal to Union HRD Ministry in this connection.
Having known these developments, S R Bommai wrote to Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh in August asking him to implement UR Committee recommendation.
In reply Singh wrote to Bommai on November 30, a copy of which is available with this website's newspaper, that Ministry is in the process of finalising proposals for the 11th Five Year Plan, which will include opening of new technical institutions like IITs/IIMs. Accordingly, your (Bommai's) request will be given due consideration at the appropriate time.
Member of Parliament Prahlad Joshi too has raised the issue during zero hour of Parliament House demanding Centre to set up IIT in Dharwad.
Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar told this paper that he had written to PM Manmohan Singh and Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh assuring State's cooperation in setting up of IIT and was ready to earmark 300 acres of land for the said purpose in City.
He has plans to pressurise the Centre in next a couple of days through Higher Education Minister D H Shankaramurthy.
When contacted Shankaramurthy on Monday over telephone, he told that I am yet to apply my mind on this issue. Officers are on casual leave, so I am presently not informed about this matter.
The Minister said that Congress-ruled AP Government and coalition Karnataka Government had their own ways to take benefits from Centre for their respective states.
State will continue its efforts to persuade Centre to set up IIT in the State.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
An old press release on IIT KGP branch campus in BBSR
(Chitta: Somehow I had missed blogging this earlier. I am putting it now, just for records.)
PRESS RELEASE OF 29/09/2006(CM MEETS UNION HRD MINISTER....)
GOVERNMENT OF ORISSA
PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi
September 29, 2006
The Chief Minister, Orissa, Shri Naveen Patnaik met the Union Minister for Human Resources Development, Shri Arjun Singh today to discuss about the establishment of a campus of IIT, Kharagpur in Orissa. Shri Patnaik stated that the Government of Orissa have offered 300 acres of land next to Bhubaneswar city for setting up the campus and the State Government is fully committed to provide all necessary assistance for the institution. Since Orissa is fast emerging as a hub for industrial activities, an institution of the stature of IIT will provide the much needed boost to the efforts of the Government in providing support to these industries. The Union Minister, Shri Arjun Singh stated that the Central Government is positively inclined for setting up such an institution soon.
The Chief Minister also discussed about the establishment of a new Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) at Bhubaneswar regarding which he had earlier written to the Prime Minister. In view of the growth of Bhubaneswar as a major centre for IT and IT-enabled services, it is ideally located for a IIIT. The State Government is willing to provide land for the institution. The Union Minister, Shri Arjun Singh responded that the Government of India will definitely consider the case of Bhubaneswar favourably while sanctioning new IIITs in the near future.
PRESS RELEASE OF 29/09/2006(CM MEETS UNION HRD MINISTER....)
GOVERNMENT OF ORISSA
PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi
September 29, 2006
The Chief Minister, Orissa, Shri Naveen Patnaik met the Union Minister for Human Resources Development, Shri Arjun Singh today to discuss about the establishment of a campus of IIT, Kharagpur in Orissa. Shri Patnaik stated that the Government of Orissa have offered 300 acres of land next to Bhubaneswar city for setting up the campus and the State Government is fully committed to provide all necessary assistance for the institution. Since Orissa is fast emerging as a hub for industrial activities, an institution of the stature of IIT will provide the much needed boost to the efforts of the Government in providing support to these industries. The Union Minister, Shri Arjun Singh stated that the Central Government is positively inclined for setting up such an institution soon.
The Chief Minister also discussed about the establishment of a new Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) at Bhubaneswar regarding which he had earlier written to the Prime Minister. In view of the growth of Bhubaneswar as a major centre for IT and IT-enabled services, it is ideally located for a IIIT. The State Government is willing to provide land for the institution. The Union Minister, Shri Arjun Singh responded that the Government of India will definitely consider the case of Bhubaneswar favourably while sanctioning new IIITs in the near future.
IITs to come up in Bihar, Andhra and Rajasthan
IITs to come up in Bihar, Andhra and Rajasthan
[ 21 Dec, 2006 0323hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
JAIPUR: With the Union human resource development ministry approval, the path has been cleared for the setting up of three more Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) — in Rajasthan, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. At present there are seven IITs in the country — in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kharagpur, Kanpur, Roorkee, Chennai and Guwahati.
Vasudeo Devnani, minister of state for education, Rajasthan has been demanding the opening of an IIT for sometime now, as students from the state qualify in large number in IIT-JEE entrance and the state has produced number of toppers in the examination.
Rajasthan government is yet to decide where the IIT would be located, as the state government will have to make available 500 to 600 acres of land for setting up the institute. The chances are that it would be set up either in Jaipur or Kota.
Earlier, the state government had proposed that Kota Engineering College run by the state government be converted into an IIT, as all the necessary infrastructure was available there.
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Chitta's note: Its great that Bihar and Rajasthan are two of the new IIT locations. Both were in the bottom of the HRD funded states list.
[ 21 Dec, 2006 0323hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
JAIPUR: With the Union human resource development ministry approval, the path has been cleared for the setting up of three more Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) — in Rajasthan, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. At present there are seven IITs in the country — in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kharagpur, Kanpur, Roorkee, Chennai and Guwahati.
Vasudeo Devnani, minister of state for education, Rajasthan has been demanding the opening of an IIT for sometime now, as students from the state qualify in large number in IIT-JEE entrance and the state has produced number of toppers in the examination.
Rajasthan government is yet to decide where the IIT would be located, as the state government will have to make available 500 to 600 acres of land for setting up the institute. The chances are that it would be set up either in Jaipur or Kota.
Earlier, the state government had proposed that Kota Engineering College run by the state government be converted into an IIT, as all the necessary infrastructure was available there.
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Chitta's note: Its great that Bihar and Rajasthan are two of the new IIT locations. Both were in the bottom of the HRD funded states list.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Eighth IIT to be located in Andhra Pradesh
Eighth IIT to be located in Andhra Pradesh
December 19, 2006
By Indo Asian News Service
Hyderabad, Dec 19 (IANS) The government will set up the eighth Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy announced in the state assembly Tuesday.
Making a statement in the house, he said the union human resource development (HRD) ministry had given a green signal for the premier institute - widely regarded as one India's centres for excellence - that would come up at Isnapur near Sanga Reddy in Medak district, about 100 km from the state capital.
'I am happy to inform this house that I have just received a communication from (HRD Minister) Arjun Singh informing that one IIT is sanctioned to Andhra Pradesh in response to our sustained request for locating an IIT in our state,' he said.
This acceptance is part of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan agenda to start three new IITs in the country, the chief minister added.
The HRD ministry has requested the state government to identify and allot 500-600 acres of land free of cost, with physical and social infrastructure, including road, rail and air connectivity.
'Therefore, my government has decided to locate the IIT in Medak district, which was once represented by former prime minister Indira Gandhi in the Lok Sabha as it will satisfy the requirements laid down by the HRD minister,' he said.
The chief minister recalled that the assembly had earlier adopted a resolution requesting the government for an IIT at Basara, the temple town of goddess Saraswati (the Hindu goddess of learning) on the banks of river Godavari in Adilabad district.
'However, we are constrained to locate it in Medak district having proximity to the metropolitan twin cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad, in view of the letter of the HRD minister,' Rajasekhara Reddy explained.
He expressed the hope that the IIT in Medak would help develop the backward Telangana region where a powerful section of people have been agitating for a separate state.
'This, I am sure, will help develop the backward parts of Telangana, providing opportunities to a large number of our youngsters to pursue high quality technical education, which is our strong point in the entire country,' Reddy said.
As some members expressed their disappointment over ignoring Basara, the chief minister announced that a 21st century gurukul (traditional centre of learning) institute would be set up in the temple town.
There are seven IITs in India - in Mumbai, New Delhi, Kharagpur, Roorkee, Guwahati, Kanpur and Chennai.
It was not immediately known where the two other new IITs would be located.
December 19, 2006
By Indo Asian News Service
Hyderabad, Dec 19 (IANS) The government will set up the eighth Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy announced in the state assembly Tuesday.
Making a statement in the house, he said the union human resource development (HRD) ministry had given a green signal for the premier institute - widely regarded as one India's centres for excellence - that would come up at Isnapur near Sanga Reddy in Medak district, about 100 km from the state capital.
'I am happy to inform this house that I have just received a communication from (HRD Minister) Arjun Singh informing that one IIT is sanctioned to Andhra Pradesh in response to our sustained request for locating an IIT in our state,' he said.
This acceptance is part of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan agenda to start three new IITs in the country, the chief minister added.
The HRD ministry has requested the state government to identify and allot 500-600 acres of land free of cost, with physical and social infrastructure, including road, rail and air connectivity.
'Therefore, my government has decided to locate the IIT in Medak district, which was once represented by former prime minister Indira Gandhi in the Lok Sabha as it will satisfy the requirements laid down by the HRD minister,' he said.
The chief minister recalled that the assembly had earlier adopted a resolution requesting the government for an IIT at Basara, the temple town of goddess Saraswati (the Hindu goddess of learning) on the banks of river Godavari in Adilabad district.
'However, we are constrained to locate it in Medak district having proximity to the metropolitan twin cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad, in view of the letter of the HRD minister,' Rajasekhara Reddy explained.
He expressed the hope that the IIT in Medak would help develop the backward Telangana region where a powerful section of people have been agitating for a separate state.
'This, I am sure, will help develop the backward parts of Telangana, providing opportunities to a large number of our youngsters to pursue high quality technical education, which is our strong point in the entire country,' Reddy said.
As some members expressed their disappointment over ignoring Basara, the chief minister announced that a 21st century gurukul (traditional centre of learning) institute would be set up in the temple town.
There are seven IITs in India - in Mumbai, New Delhi, Kharagpur, Roorkee, Guwahati, Kanpur and Chennai.
It was not immediately known where the two other new IITs would be located.
Andhra gets green signal to set up IIT
Andhra gets green signal to set up IIT
[ 19 Dec, 2006 1721hrs ISTIANS ]
RSS Feeds| SMS NEWS to 8888 for latest updates
HYDERABAD: The central government has sanctioned an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) for Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy announced in the state assembly on Tuesday.
Making a statement in the house, he said the union human resource development (HRD) ministry had given a green signal for the premier institute that would come up at Isnapur near Sanga Reddy in Medak district.
"I am happy to inform this house that I have just received a communication from (HRD Minister) Arjun Singh informing that one IIT is sanctioned to Andhra Pradesh in response to our sustained request for locating an IIT in our state," he said.
This acceptance is part of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan agenda to start three new IITs in the country, the chief minister added.
The HRD ministry has requested the state government to identify and allot 500-600 acres of land free of cost, with physical and social infrastructure, including road, rail and air connectivity.
"Therefore, my government has decided to locate the IIT in Medak district, which was once represented by former prime minister Indira Gandhi in the Lok Sabha as it will satisfy the requirements laid down by the HRD minister," he said.
The chief minister recalled that the assembly had earlier adopted a resolution requesting the government for an IIT at Basara, the temple town of goddess Saraswati on the banks of river Godavari in Adilabad district.
The government had been lobbying hard for it.
"However, we are constrained to locate it in Medak district having proximity to the metropolitan twin cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad, in view of the letter of the HRD minister," Rajasekhara Reddy explained.
He expressed the hope that the IIT in Medak would help develop the backward Telangana region.
"This, I am sure, will help develop the backward parts of Telangana, providing opportunities to a large number of our youngsters to pursue high quality technical education, which is our strong point in the entire country," Reddy said.
As some members expressed their disappointment over ignoring Basara, the chief minister announced that a 21st century gurukul institute would be set up in the temple town.
There are seven IITs in India - in Mumbai, New Delhi, Kharagpur, Roorkee, Guwahati, Kanpur and Chennai.
[ 19 Dec, 2006 1721hrs ISTIANS ]
RSS Feeds| SMS NEWS to 8888 for latest updates
HYDERABAD: The central government has sanctioned an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) for Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy announced in the state assembly on Tuesday.
Making a statement in the house, he said the union human resource development (HRD) ministry had given a green signal for the premier institute that would come up at Isnapur near Sanga Reddy in Medak district.
"I am happy to inform this house that I have just received a communication from (HRD Minister) Arjun Singh informing that one IIT is sanctioned to Andhra Pradesh in response to our sustained request for locating an IIT in our state," he said.
This acceptance is part of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan agenda to start three new IITs in the country, the chief minister added.
The HRD ministry has requested the state government to identify and allot 500-600 acres of land free of cost, with physical and social infrastructure, including road, rail and air connectivity.
"Therefore, my government has decided to locate the IIT in Medak district, which was once represented by former prime minister Indira Gandhi in the Lok Sabha as it will satisfy the requirements laid down by the HRD minister," he said.
The chief minister recalled that the assembly had earlier adopted a resolution requesting the government for an IIT at Basara, the temple town of goddess Saraswati on the banks of river Godavari in Adilabad district.
The government had been lobbying hard for it.
"However, we are constrained to locate it in Medak district having proximity to the metropolitan twin cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad, in view of the letter of the HRD minister," Rajasekhara Reddy explained.
He expressed the hope that the IIT in Medak would help develop the backward Telangana region.
"This, I am sure, will help develop the backward parts of Telangana, providing opportunities to a large number of our youngsters to pursue high quality technical education, which is our strong point in the entire country," Reddy said.
As some members expressed their disappointment over ignoring Basara, the chief minister announced that a 21st century gurukul institute would be set up in the temple town.
There are seven IITs in India - in Mumbai, New Delhi, Kharagpur, Roorkee, Guwahati, Kanpur and Chennai.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
IIT Kanpur and IIM Lucknow's branch campuses in NOIDA
Sec-62 to host IIT-Kanpur’s campus in Noida
VARUN SINHA
NOIDA, DECEMBER 15 In its continuing endeavour to emerge as a knowledge hub, the Noida Authority yesterday allotted four acres of land to the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) to set up its Noida campus. It is reportedly the first time that an IIT satellite campus is being set up.
Noida Authority Additional CEO Ravindra Naik says Noida was honoured by IIT’s decision to open a campus here, adding that the move confirms that Noida is by far the best location around Delhi in terms of infrastructure and amenities. He added that the presence of key industries in Noida and the township’s proximity to Delhi would prove advantageous to the IIT.
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Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Yashpal Singh said the Noida Authority had sent a proposal to the Director, IIT Kanpur sometime ago requesting that a satellite campus be set up in the township. After IIT-K evinced interest, the Noida Authority allotted four acres in Sector 62.
Singh pointed out that Greater Noida has already become a tech zone. Companies like Wipro and NIIT have already acquired plots for their campuses in Greater Noida. Noida already has HCL and TCS.
Having an IIT satellite campus in Noida should greatly boost the existing IT industry — in terms of trained manpower and cutting-edge technology.
The Indian Institute of Management-Lucknow (IIM-L) opened a new campus in Noida in May this year. It was allotted nearly 20 acres in Sector-62 but while the building there is being built, it is temporarily operating out of Sector 16.
VARUN SINHA
NOIDA, DECEMBER 15 In its continuing endeavour to emerge as a knowledge hub, the Noida Authority yesterday allotted four acres of land to the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) to set up its Noida campus. It is reportedly the first time that an IIT satellite campus is being set up.
Noida Authority Additional CEO Ravindra Naik says Noida was honoured by IIT’s decision to open a campus here, adding that the move confirms that Noida is by far the best location around Delhi in terms of infrastructure and amenities. He added that the presence of key industries in Noida and the township’s proximity to Delhi would prove advantageous to the IIT.
Advertisement
Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Yashpal Singh said the Noida Authority had sent a proposal to the Director, IIT Kanpur sometime ago requesting that a satellite campus be set up in the township. After IIT-K evinced interest, the Noida Authority allotted four acres in Sector 62.
Singh pointed out that Greater Noida has already become a tech zone. Companies like Wipro and NIIT have already acquired plots for their campuses in Greater Noida. Noida already has HCL and TCS.
Having an IIT satellite campus in Noida should greatly boost the existing IT industry — in terms of trained manpower and cutting-edge technology.
The Indian Institute of Management-Lucknow (IIM-L) opened a new campus in Noida in May this year. It was allotted nearly 20 acres in Sector-62 but while the building there is being built, it is temporarily operating out of Sector 16.
Monday, December 11, 2006
TD, BJP want IIT only at Basar in AP: AndhraCafe
TD, BJP want IIT only at Basar
Updated: 12-11-2006 By Administrator Email this Page
Hyderabad : In a quick reaction to Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy hinting at the setting up o an IIT near the city, the main opposition TDp and BJP expressed their opposition stating that it should come up at Basar in Adilabad district as originally proposed.
In a statement, TDP president N Chadnrababu Niadu said that the Assembly had adopted a unanimous resoluton to establish IIT at Basar. "The Central and State governemtns should adhere to the resolution as it was a major pilgrim centre and also a backward area," he said.
In another statement, BJP state president B Daddatreya pointed out that the latest decision would undermine the collective wisdom of the Assembly. He urged the State Government to establish the IIT at Basar.
Updated: 12-11-2006 By Administrator Email this Page
Hyderabad : In a quick reaction to Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy hinting at the setting up o an IIT near the city, the main opposition TDp and BJP expressed their opposition stating that it should come up at Basar in Adilabad district as originally proposed.
In a statement, TDP president N Chadnrababu Niadu said that the Assembly had adopted a unanimous resoluton to establish IIT at Basar. "The Central and State governemtns should adhere to the resolution as it was a major pilgrim centre and also a backward area," he said.
In another statement, BJP state president B Daddatreya pointed out that the latest decision would undermine the collective wisdom of the Assembly. He urged the State Government to establish the IIT at Basar.
