Rajasthan uses a balanced approach in choosing locations for its national institutions

The panel set up by the CM of Rajsthan has picked the following places to recommend to the central government for the various national institutes and universities coming up in Rajasthan. (From a Times of India report and another Times of India report)

• IIT : Jodhpur
• IIM: Udaipur
• National University aiming for world-class: Ajmer 
• Central university: Bikaner.

The committee also recommended:

• a "futuristic" heritage conservation and museology centre in Jaipur
• an institute of Food Technology in Hadoti region of Kota

Currently the following national institutions exisit or are being made in the following places in Rajasthan:

• NIT: Jaipur
• LNMIT (private but top-notch): Jaipur
• National law School: Jodhpur
• AIIMS-like institution (being made): Jodhpur

The institutions are nicely distributed between various cities of Rajsthan, although people of Jaipur and Kota are not happy. The population of these locations are:

• Jaipur (World Gazetteer 2009): 3.1 million (has inetrnational air connectivity)
• Jodhpur (World Gazetteer 2009): 988K  – (332 kms from Jaipur; has air connectivity)
• Udaipur (World Gazetteer 2009): 457K – (400 kms from Jaipur; has air connectivity)
• Ajmer (World Gazetteer 2009):  604.7K – (131 kms from Jaipur)
• Bikaner (World Gazetteer 2009): 624.6K – (321 kms from Jaipur)
• Kota (World Gazetteer 2009): 823 K (242 kms from Jaipur)

In contrast in Orissa the distribution of national institutions are more Bhubaneswar centric. Following is the status:

• IIT: Bhubaneswar
• NISER: Bhubaneswar
• AIIMS-like (being made) : Bhubaneswar
• National Law University: Cuttack (part of Bhubaneswar metroplex)
• IIIT (state-funded) : Bhubaneswar
• National University aiming to be world class: Bhubaneswar
• Vedanta University (private): Puri
• NIT: Rourkela
• Central University: Koraput
• IIIT (centrally funded): state wants it in Berhampur; center has identified as Bhubaneswar

Unfortunately, one of the reason given behind the above selection is the lack of connectivity and the size of places. Following is some information on that.

• Bhubaneswar (World Gazetteer 2009): 1.67 million  (has airport but no inetrnational connectivity)
• Rourkela (World Gazetteer 2009): 551 K  (no air connections) – 334 kms from Bhubaneswar
• Berhampur (World Gazetteer 2009): 403 K (no air connections) – 160 kms from Bhubaneswar
• Koraput-Jeypore-Sunabeda: 200K+ (no air connections) – 499 kms from bhubaneswar
• Puri (World Gazetteer 2009): 185K – 60 kms from Bhubaneswar 
• Sambalpur (World Gazetteer 2009): 258 K (no air connections)  – 321 kms from Bhubaneswar
• Jharsuguda-Belpahar-Brajarajnagar: 200 K (no air connections) – 374 kms from Bhubaneswar; 50 kms from Sambalpur

For the future, following are some of the steps that Orissa government needs to urgently take regarding developing more larger urban areas and having the national institutions more evenly distributed:

• Make sure the centrally funded IIIT is established in Berhampur
• Establish functioing airports in Jharsuguda, Rourkela and Koraput at the earliest
• Push for international flights to Bhubaneswar
• Push for upgradation of UCE Burla (Sambalpur area) to an IIEST (Indian Institute of Engineering Science & Technology)
• Push for the establishment of a branch of IGNTU (Indira Gandhi National Tribal University) in Phulbani
• Push for the establishment of IIM outside of the Bhubaneswar area
• Push for the establishment of a centrally funded KBK Inst of Engineering and Technology (along the lines of SLIET and ABAGKIET) in Kalahandi or Balangir.
• Push for upgrading another medical college (Berhampur or Sambalpur) to AIIMS level.
• Push for establishing NID in a location outside of Bhubaneswar
• Push for establishing NIPER in a location outside of Bhubaneswar
• Push for a BITS Pilani campus in a location outside of Bhubaneswar

9 comments June 12th, 2009

Foundation Stone laid for IIT Bhubaneswar

Following is from the PIB report http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=47448.

Foundation Stone of the Indian Institute of Technology ( IIT ), Bhubaneswar, was laid in Orissa today. Shri Arjun Singh, Union Minister of Human Resource Development, was to lay the Foundation Stone, but due to unavoidable reasons he couldn’t go to Orissa and the ceremony was held in his absentia at KANSAPADA ( Khudupur-Taraboi Road ) near Jatni Block Office, Khordha.

This new IIT at Bhubaneswar is part of the 8 new IITs that have been established in the country by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Ministry. Orissa is also to get a new Central University under The Central Universities Ordinance, 2009 which was promulgated by the President of India on 15.01.2009.

Following is the full text of the speech of Shri Arjun Singh, delivered on his behalf :

“ IITs are our national pride and owe their existence to the scientific temper and disposition of our First Prime Minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru. Making India, the knowledge hub of the world was a cherished dream of our first Prime Minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru. Way back in 1951, the Government of India, under the leadership of Panditji, planned to have four such institutes of excellence in the field of Engineering and Technology. The first amongst four such institutes (one for each zone) came up at Kharagpur in eastern region.

During the Eleventh Plan Period, the Government of India has decided to have eight new IITs, including IIT Bhubaneswar. IIT Bhubaneswar was one of the new IITs to become operational with 120 students in July, 2008. It is also heartening to note that the mother of the IIT system, IIT Kharagpur, is mentoring this new IIT. I would like to compliment Prof. Damodar Acharyaji, Director, IIT, Kharagpur who has made all possible efforts to mentor this IIT. The necessary facilities are being created in IIT Kharagpur Extension Campus at Bhubaneswar so that the students of IIT Bhubaneswar could have their education from Bhubaneswar itself from the forthcoming academic session starting from July 2009. IIT Bhubaneswar will offer science based engineering graduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes of international standard in various disciplines.

The State of Orissa is a resource-rich state and we expect that IIT, Bhubaneswar will act as a catalyst for the rapid industrialization of the State. Indian Institutes of Technology are known the world over for imparting quality and relevant education to students. I am confident that this new IIT also carry forward the great tradition of IITs.

I am happy to note that the Government of Orissa has allotted 935 acres of land for this IIT. The State Government has also agreed to provide adequate facilities of water, electricity and road connectivity. I appreciate the support of the Government of Orissa to have this IIT in Bhubaneswar and would like to specially thank Shri Naveen Patnaikji for his support for the venture.

I take this opportunity to mention that we had made an assessment of various States about availability of degree and diploma level courses per lakh population in the field of technical education. We find that the availability of degree and diploma level courses per lakh population in Orissa is much below the national average. This obviously means that the regional imbalance in respect of technical education needs to be corrected. It is in this context that the setting up of an IIT in Bhubaneswar is a right and timely step. I am sure the Government of Orissa will derive maximum benefits from the Central Government schemes for educational advancement of this State.

The Government of India in its Eleventh Plan has given a major thrust to education. The Central Government has taken several initiatives in respect of new institution building. These include setting up of 30 new Central Universities, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, eight new IITs, seven new Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), five new Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), two new Schools of Planning & Architecture (SPAs), 10 new National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and 20 new IIITs. For this unprecedented expansion, the credit goes to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, who has been kind enough to accord very high priority to the education sector and provided a nine fold increase in the budgetary outlays for the higher education during the XIth Plan as compared to Xth Plan.

Capacity building in the diverse fields of basic science, engineering and technology, architecture, management will empower besides providing opportunities to the youth. It has been decided to launch a massive National Initiative for Skill Development under which it is proposed to give assistance for the establishment of 1000 new polytechnics. It is also proposed to upgrade infrastructure facilities of existing diploma level Government and Government aided polytechnics. In order to attract women in polytechnic education, we are proposing to provide financial assistance for the construction of women’s hostels in 500 polytechnics.

The Government is also going to incentivise the States for starting new Universities, besides giving a one time grant to the States on a matching basis to develop the infrastructure of State technical institutions. With these initiatives, we hope to increase access (by 5% GER during XI Plan) with equity and excellence.

8. I am happy to say that the State of Orissa is also getting its due share. We have decided in this Plan Period to have in Orissa State, one Central University, one National University aiming for world class standards, one IIIT, and several Polytechnics in those districts which currently do not have a Polytechnic. The Government and Private Engineering Colleges will also be getting opportunity to upgrade their facilities through TEQIP. This will provide our youth in the State with vocational and professional educational opportunities to realize their full potential.”

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KKP/ska

Add comment February 12th, 2009

Army air defence college in Gopalpur

Its web page is http://www.indianarmy.gov.in/aad/indexmain.html. Following are some excerpts from that page.

History:

The Army Air Defence College has an illustrious history dating back to pre independence era, when the School of Artillery was located at Quetta and the Anti Aircraft Wing was located at Karachi. When India gained Independence 1947, the School of Artillery and the Anti Aircraft Wing moved to Deolali. The Anti Aircraft Wing was renamed as the Air Defence Wing and was placed under School of Artillery.

  In 1955 a case was taken up to relocate Air Defence Wing from Deolali, due to lack of adequate ranges for gun and missile firing. In 1963, the Government of Orissa offered 3000 acres of land at Gopalpur -On –Sea, along with seaward firing range, which was accepted in 1968. In 1979, Government of India sanctioned the establishment of Air Defence and Guided Missile School and Centre at Gopalpur – On – Sea.  Gopalpur Cantonment was inaugurated on 30 October 1984 by late Shrimati Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India.

4 comments January 9th, 2009

Efforts on to make Khallikote a unitary university

Following are excerpts from a report in tathya.in.

With UCE Burla granted the Unitary State University (USU) status, lawmakers of southern Orissa have urged the Chief Minister to declare the century-old Khallikote Autonomous College (KAC) in Berhampur, an USU. 

The KAC has been the Center of Learning and intellectual pursuits in Orissa since long. 

Lawmakers including Sugyani Kumari Deo, R CC Patnaik, Bikram Kesari Arukh, Usha Devi, Ladu Kishore Swain, Bharat Paik, Niranjan Pradhan and Saroj Kumar Padhi have requested the Chief Minister to take up the matter to the next Cabinet. 

All of them have appealed Naveen Patnaik to upgrade the institution from autonomous status to USU. 

The Chief Minister has asked the Higher Education department to take up the case. 

Accordingly Madhu Sudan Padhi, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Higher Education has processed the file, said sources. 

A Cabinet Note is being prepared for the purpose, revealed an official. 

Most likely the proposal will be accepted, thanks to the elections round the corner. 

Than Orissa will have 3 unitary universities with Ravenshaw and UCE Burla (VSS) Unitary University earlier given the status. 

The KAC which started in 1856 as a Zilla School is now a full fledged Post Graduate College having autonomous status since 1990.

5 comments December 23rd, 2008

Berhampur University to collaboarte with BARC to study impact of radiation on plants

Following is an excerpt from a report in Hindu.

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Berhampur University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to study positive impacts of radiation on plants.

… The BARC has chosen four centres in the country to take up reasearch on impact of ionizing radiation on non-human biota, especially on plants of human benefit. The four centres are IARI, New Delhi, Agricultural University, Hyderabad, BARC Mumbai and Botany department of Berhampur University.

… The BARC has already released Rs. 40 lakh for installation of a ‘Gamma Irradiater’ in a ‘Gamma Chamber’ to be established on the university campus.

… Prof Brahma Bihari Panda, coordinator of the project, said under the project they would experiment on bringing in positive mutational changes in different plant breeds beneficial to humans. Both ultra violent rays and gamma radiation affect plants. But here mutational changes would be brought in through controlled use of ionizing gamma radiation.

These experiments may bring in genetic mutant changes in major crop breeds to make them more productive, pest resistant and environment friendly. It would also provide ways to preservation capacity of different plant products, including food grains and vegetables through peaceful use of radiation.

The Gamma Chamber of the project could also be used for sterilisation of medical waste and other hazardous bio-waste. Prof. Sahu felt the Gamma unit could also be an income generator for the university as this unit could also be used by other organisations for a service charge.

1 comment December 22nd, 2008

Samaja ad for admission in ATDC Bhubaneswar, Berhampur and Rourkela

The web ad at http://aepcindia.com/atdc/atdcAdmissionNotice.html only mentions ATDC Bhubaneswar. I guess the centers at Berhampur and Rourkela are satellite centers. Earlier there was also plan for satellite centers in  Baripada, Sambalpur and Cuttack. I guess they will start later.

There is an Institute of apparel management in Gurgaon in the outskirts of New Delhi.

1 comment December 2nd, 2008

General Colleges count in various Orissa districts – work in progress

The left four columns(*) in the following list is based on the lists at http://orissagov.nic.in/highereducation/DistBlockWise_College_list.htm and http://orissagov.nic.in/highereducation/actsrules.htm. It seems both these lists are not up-to-date. For example, neither list has any colleges in the Boudha district. However, the Boudha district web pages mention it having 9 colleges. Using Google some of the colleges one can find in Boudha are Boudh Panchayat College and Gandharadi College. The rightmost column (**) is based on going to the district web pages and getting information there. That is also not up-to-date as in recent years numerous junior (+2) colleges have opened.

2 comments November 24th, 2008

Setting up of 6,000 Model Schools at Block level gets union cabinet’s nod: PIB

Following is from http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=44613.

The 123 educationally backward blocks in Orissa are (See also http://education.nic.in/mdm/EEBs.pdf for a bigger list):

Add comment November 7th, 2008

Recruitment evaluation criteria at Orissa universities and perhaps in many state universities across India

Following is the recruitment criteria that is used at Orissa state Universities (except BPUT and OUAT) and perhaps in many other state universities across India.

(a) The Selection Committee shall consists of :-

(i) The Vice Chancellor. (ii) The DHE, (iii) 3 experts selected by the Vice Chancellor from a panel of six names prepared by the syndicate (iv) an expert nominated by the Chancellor in case of appoint to the post of Professor.

The quorum at a meeting of the Selection Committee shall be four of whom at least two shall be experts including the expert nominated by the Chancellor, if any.

(b) Evaluation of candidates

Evaluation of candidates for different teaching posts in the University (Professor, Reader, Lecturer)

1. GENERAL CAREER (30 MARKS)

(a) 1st Class 2nd Class 3rd Class

      (i) HSC 4 2 1

      (ii) Intermediate (+2) 4 2 1

      (iii) Degree / Honours 8 4 1.5 (Pass)

      (iv) Distinction 2 2 2 (Pass)

      (v) P.G. Degree

            75 – 100 % 12

            65 – 74 % 9

            55 – 64 % 6

            45 – 54 % 4

      (b) Marks for matriculation and Intermediate may be re-distributed as follows in the case of candidates passing Higher Secondary / Pre-University / Pre-Professional etc. in cases where Higher Secondary Examination is initial assessable examination. H.S.C. mark (of 4.2.1) be added to it making it 6, 3 and 1.5 for I, II and III divisions.

      1st Class 2nd Class 3rd Class

      (i) Higher Secondary 6 3 1.5

      (ii) Pre-University 2 1 0.5

      (iii) Pre-Professional 2 1 0.5

      (c) In case of candidates from Universities / Institutions which follow the system of grades, their grades shall be converted to mark as under:

      ‘O’  Grade — 75 – 100 %

      ‘A’  Grade — 65 – 74 %

      ‘B’  Grade — 55 – 64 %

      ‘C’  Grade — 45 – 54 %

      ‘D’  Grade — 35 – 44 %

      (d) In the case of candidates with more than one Bachelor’s Degree, only the Degree in the concerned ‘subject’ shall be awarded marks and the Division obtained will be treated at par with the Honours.

2. RESEARCH DEGREE (20 MARKS) :

      M.Phil. — 03 Marks

      Ph.D.  — 10 Marks

      D.Sc/ D.Litt. — 12 Marks

      M.Phil + Ph.D. — 12 Marks

      M.Phil + D.Sc./D.Litt — 14 Marks

      Ph.D. + D.Sc./D.Litt — 18 Marks

      M.Phil + Ph.D + D.Sc/DLitt — 20 Marks

3. TEACHING EXPERIENCE (10 MARKS) :

      PG teaching  — 1 Mark per year

      Honours teaching –  0.75 marks per year

      Graduate level –  0.50 marks per year

4. PH.D GUIDANCE (5 MARKS) :

      One mark for each Ph.D awarded

5. RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS (15 MARKS)

      10 marks for International Journals and

      5 marks for National Journal

6. VIVA-VOCE (15 MARKS)

7. CCRS / PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL REPORT (PAR) – 5 MARKS

The above is ridiculous. May be it made sense in 1950 or 1960 when there were very few Ph.Ds. In the current situation it does not make sense at all. Fortunately, Ravenshaw University is trying to have a different criteria of evaluation than the above.

2 comments October 19th, 2008

Layout of Parala Maharaj Engineering College, Berhampur

The tender will be opened in October 2008 and the work is required to be completed in 15 months. Following are some layout diagrams.

5 comments October 9th, 2008

Orissa government issues tenders for IIIT, Parala Maharaj Engineering College and Construction Academy

In recent months the Orissa government has issued tenders for two state funded and one PPP based institute:

• IIIT Bhubaneswar: The tender is for construction of administrative and academic building, hostel and external services to be completed in 9 months and at an estimated value of work of Rs 15 crores.
• Parala Maharaj Engineering College in Berhampur: The tender is for construction of the College Building at Berhampur (Sitalapalli), Ground Floor and First Floor, to be completed in 15 months, and at an estimated value of work of Rs 7 crores.
• Construction Academy in Gopalpur, Cuttack: The tender is for construction of Administrative Block (Stilt, Ground & First Floor), to be completed in 18 months, and at an estimated value of work of Rs 5.6 crores.

The tender documents are currently available via http://tendersorissa.gov.in/.

1 comment October 9th, 2008

NASSCOM and MHRD tussle over the 20 new IIITs

Following are excerpts from a report in msn.com.

… Indian IT — which contributed to 5 per cent of India’s GDP — needs 2.3 million skilled staff by 2010, up 300,000 from the 2 million it employs now.

With this need in mind, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) in the 11th plan document proposed the 20 IIITs, operated through a public-private partnership.

But the HRD ministry wants control of that partnership.

The ministry’s argument: we’re providing the land, much of the money, (half of the direct) loans and other benefits like tax exemptions.

The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom), the umbrella body for the IT sector, has proposed an independent authority to oversee the 20 IIITs to ensure autonomy, flexibility and transparency.

… “There is a question over who will run these institutes,” a source in the ministry told HT. “We want government representatives on board, as we cannot leave everything in their [industry] control. Obviously, after providing all the benefits the government cannot be pushed aside.”

Nasscom also wants deemed university status for the each institute — the IIIT set up between the Centre, state and the corporate partner.

… The Nasscom report also cautions government against “political expediency”, in fixing IIIT locations. Meaning: set them up near IT parks and companies, not in political constituencies.  ran aground.

Add comment September 22nd, 2008

Expert committee report on 374 model colleges in educationally backward districts

The expert committee report is at http://www.ugc.ac.in/notices/dpr374modelcolleges.html. The list of 374 districts contains 18 districts from Orissa. They are:  Malkangiri, Baudh, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Nabrangpur, Gajapati, Koraput, Sonapur, Bargarh, Deogarh, Kalahandi, Balangir, Anugul, Rayagada, Kendujhar, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Dhenkanal. Of these, Malkangiri and Baudha are in Phase 1 with CPI (colleges per lakh population) below 4, Kandhamal and Nuapada in Phase 2 with CPI 4 to 8, and the rest in Phase 3 with CPI 8.1-12.4.

Following are some excerpts from that report:

The criteria for identification of location within the district may be the following:
a. The college has to be located in an area of the district having no college in the vicinity of 10 km radius.
b. Predominantly rural location where the proportion of rural population in area is higher than the State average
c. A new college as an additional one in the vicinity shall be permitted only if the existing college has more than 1000 students, or there is no separate college for women in the area of 10 km. radius.
d. Accessibility : The location of the college should be such that it is accessible, i.e. reasonably well connected by transport facilities so that the college may serve a larger catchments area.
e. Population density: The proposed college should be located subject to fulfillment of the above-mentioned criteria in locations having higher population density in comparison with other contending locations.

4.1. Non- recurring Budget requirements:

4..1.1. Land : Since the Model colleges are to be established in rural, hilly, forest, tribal and other priority areas as per the criteria already described in chapter.2., a minimum of 10 acres of land need to be provided by the State Government concerned to each of the college in the identified low GER district.
4.1.2. Non recurring infrastructure requirements per college:

4.1.2.1. Academic & administrative buildings (3000 sq.mtrs) : 2.5 crores
4.1.2.2. Campus development : 2.0 crores
4.1.2.3. Hostels for 100 students : 1.0 crores*
4.1.2.4.Teachers’/Non teaching quarters – 20 each; : 2.5 crores
4.1.2.5. Laboratories : 0.2 crore
4.1.2.6. Library : 0.2 crore
4.1.2.7. Computer Centre : 0.2 crore
4.1.2.8. Health centre : 0.1 crore
4.1.2.9. sports facilities : 0.1 crore
4.1.2.10 Miscellaneous : 0.2 crore
Total per College Non-recurring :9.0 Crores.
* the expenditure towards hostel could be sanctioned through the UGC special scheme for “ hostels”. The net Non-recurring requirements would thus be Rs.8.0. crores per college.

4.1.2. Recurring Budget requirement: It would involve the salary requirements for 25 teaching and 25 nonteaching personnel for each college and the college maintenance expenditure of Rs.50.0 lakhs per annum to be provided by the State government concerned.

4.1.4.1. Model I: Fully Government supported Colleges:
Non-Recurring : 100 % by Central Government, while the required land for the colleges has to be provided by the State Govt.
(This pattern of financial support by Central Govt. is necessary to motivate the State Governments to
establish these model colleges in the Low GER districts adhering to the criteria suggested for actual location of these Colleges within the LOW GER districts) Recurring : 100% by the State Government;

Add comment September 7th, 2008

Some details on the proposed 20 IIITs across the country

Following are excerpts from a report in livemint.com.

In the new IIITs, the government is actively considering a model where a majority stake goes to the private sector, while reducing the government to a minority shareholder. So, on an equity base of Rs30 crore, the government would get Rs14.90 crore maximum; and industry, Rs15.10 crore minimum.

“This is where the concept of autonomy begins. Even IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) and IITs, which are autonomous institutes, can’t decide on fees and number of seats without government approval because they are dependent on it for grants,” said Rajdeep Sahrawat, vice-president of industry lobby group National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom), who led the drafting of the detailed project report on IIITs.

The government is also looking at a loan model, prepared by Nasscom, for IIITs to be set up as autonomous bodies, where the government would give loans to the institutes—and not grant funds—to be paid back over 10 years after a five-year moratorium.

The partners in setting up these IIITs would be the HRD ministry, the governments of the respective states where each institute will be established and industry members.

 

The committee member said it is hoping the model has no management quota. “There will be a board of governors that will decide policy matters for the institutes, and have representations from academia, industry and government,” this person said.

To further clip government interference, the board of governors at these IIITs will have just one government representative, based on the policy of “one seat per investor”.

“Each institution should have three-four industry partners, with a pedigree for research. Even the age of the people to be appointed to the governing board can’t exceed 70 years,” the member said.

With a focus on research, the new IIITs will also have a faculty-student ratio of 1:10, as in IITs. While Nasscom’s public-private partnership model for the new IIITs skips any mention of reservations for students from backward classes, a provision for merit-cum-means scholarships for the students is proposed, where an institute is granted subsidy from the government for the scholarships granted.

This, however, continues to be the toughest call for the government. “The industry wants merit to be the sole criteria, but the government would like to push through reservations, as applicable in other educational institutions. However, the IIITs would have some kind of a relaxation of marks for students from certain backward classes,” the member said.

2 comments August 29th, 2008

Update on the HRD initiatives; location of 10 new NITs

Update: As per http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=41316&kwd= possible location of 9 of the 10 NITs are:

? … Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Uttrakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

 The NIT at Goa   may also cater to the needs of Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep.

 Pudducherry or Andaman & Nicobar may have one common NIT, which will cater the needs of each.

Following are excerpts from the PIB release http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=41190.

… The initiative to set up eight new Indian Institutes of Technology is on course with the first academic sessions starting in 2008 in six of the new IITs in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Orissa, Punjab and Gujarat . The session for IIT Orissa has already been started at lIT Kharagpur in July 2008 and classes will begin for IIT Punjab at lIT Delhi in Sept 2008. And the academic session for the other 4 new IITs, will begin during August 2008.

Out of the 7 new Indian Institutes of Management proposed the IIM at Shillong has already commenced its first academic session from July 2008. The remaining six IIMs will be established in Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Tamil Nadu and Haryana.

The government proposal to set up five Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research is on schedule. Of these two IISERs at Pune and Kolkata were inaugurated in 2006-07 and are now fully functional, and the IISER Mohali started its first academic session in 2007-08. Two more IISERs at Bhopal and Thiruvanthapuram will commence their first academic sessions in August, 2008.

Two Schools of Planning & Architecture (SPAs) are being set up at Bhopal and Vijayawada . Classes in both the new SPAs will begin with the academic session of 2008 through temporary campuses. The SPA Bhopal will be mentored by NIT Bhopal while the SPA at Vijayawada will be mentored by SPA, Delhi .

The strengthening of Polytechnics is under way with steps being taken to set up 1000 polytechnics (300 in Government Sector, 300 through PPP mode and 400 private polytechnics); Further 500 existing polytechnics are being expanded and the Community Polytechnics scheme being revamped and their number being increased from 669 to 1000.

Steps are being taken establish 10 new National Institutes of Technology. The likely location of these NITs will be in States/UTs which at present don’t have an NIT.

Sixteen Central Universities are being set up under the initiative seeking to established a Central University in states not having a Central University . Four existing universities; Sagar University in Madhya Pradesh, Bilaspur University in Chhatisgarh, Garhwal University in Uttrakhand and Goa University, are proposed to be taken over and upgraded as Central Universities. The remaining 12 new universities are to be set up in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab , Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Kamataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

14 World Class Central Universities (WCCU), are proposed with the locations being firmed up in consultation with the Planning Commission. The State Governments have been requested to identify suitable land.

A total of 373 degree colleges will be set up in the districts having GER lower than the national average as identified by the UGC. Out of these districts, about 90 districts have been shortlisted which have less than 6% GER, have less than 4 colleges per lakh of population and are also minority concentration districts. It is proposed to fast-track the starting of the degree colleges in these shortlisted districts this year.

Twenty Indian Institutes of Information Technology are planned with NAASCOM having submitted a project report. The setting up of the IIITs under the PPP mode has been discussed with the States and most of the States agreed to tap not-for-profit private investment, while ensuring that PPP should not lead to any erosion of access to the poor sections of society.

Scholarships for College and University students, based on merit, to non-creamy layer students numbering about 2% of the. student population will be given to those who pass out from various intermediate boards. The scholarship will be Rs.l,000 per month for the first 2 years after which it will be of Rs.2000 per month for the balance period of the professional or other courses in Higher Education. Every year about 41,000 boys and 41,000 girls will benefit from the scheme.

The government is working on an Education Loan Interest Subsidy Scheme. It will be a Central Sector scheme for providing interest subsidy during the moratorium period on the educational loans taken by students belonging to "non-creamy" layer for pursuing professional education in India.

All the Central Educational Institutions are implementing OBC reservations as per the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006 from this year onward on a staggered basis and the necessary funds have been released to all of them, after holding the meetings of the Empowered Committees. All the IITs, IIMs and the Central Universities that are covered under the Act have started giving reservations to OBCs in a staggered manner. As a result of the implementation of OBC reservations in this academic year, there is an increase of over 20500 in the intake capacity in the Central Educational Institutions.

The states and union territories that do not have NITs are:

1. Delhi
2. Uttarakhand
3. Goa
4. Dadra and nagar haveli
5. Pondicherry
6. Andaman and Nicobar islands
7. Lakshadweep
8. Meghalaya
9. Mizoram
10. Manipur
11. Nagaland
12. Arunachal Pradesh
13. Sikkim

So, I guess the majority of the 10 new NITs will be in these states. My guess would be 2, 3, 5, 8-13. (I skipped 1 because I wonder if there is any space left in proper Delhi for an NIT. The rest that I skipped, 4,6 and 7, are very remote as well as hard to reach places.)  That makes 9 NITs. It would be interesting to see where the 10th NIT will be located.

2 comments August 8th, 2008

MOU signed for a private medical college in Kanishi near Berhampur: Dharitri

Note that few weeks back there was a similar news about WODC signing an MOU with the same Vigyan Bharati trust for a medical college in Rourkela.

Add comment August 4th, 2008

Other Engineering college clusters in Orissa

Berhampur:

1. Gandhi Institute of Industrial Technology Berhampur (GII) Pvt.
2. Kalam Institute of Technology, Berhampur Berhampur (KIB) Pvt.
3. National Institute of Science and Technology Palur Hills, Berhampur (NST) Pvt.
4. Roland Institute of Technology Surya Vihar, Berhampur (RIT) Pvt.
5. Sanjaya Memorial Institute of Technology Chandipadar, Berhampur (SMT) Pvt.
6. Vignan Institute of Technology & Management Berhampur (VIT) Pvt.
7. IIIT Berhampur (planned)
8. Parla Maharaj Engineering College (planned) 
9. Rahul Institute of Engineering & Technology Thatadapalli Village, Kotharsing (P.O.) Konisi Tahasil, Berhampur, Ganjam (D. T.) Orissa (planned)

Rourkela-Sundergarh:

1. Padmanava College of Engineering Rourkela (PCE) Pvt.
2. Purushottam Institute of Engineering & Technology Mandiakudar, Rourkela (PIE) Pvt.
3. Sundargarh Engineering College sundargarh (SUN) Pvt.
4. NIT Rourkela
5. Rourkela Institute of Technology At P.O. Kuarmunda, District : Sundergarh Pin 770039 Orissa (planned)

Balasore-Bhadrakh:

1. Balasore College of Engineering & Technology Balasore (BCE) Pvt.
2. Bhadrak Institute of Engineering & Technology Barapada, Bhadrak (BIT) Pvt.
3. Modern Engineering & Management Studies Balasore (MEM) Pvt.
4. Satyasai Engineering College Balasore (SAT) Pvt.
5. Vijayanjali Institute of Technology At Gadabhanga No. 4 P.O. Khantapara, District : Balasore 756043 Orissa (planned)

Gunupur-Rayagada:

1. Gandhi Institute of Engineering & Technology Gunupur (GIT) Pvt.
2. Gandhi Institute of Science and Technology Rayagada (GIR) Pvt.
3. Institute of Advanced Computer & Research Rayagada (IAC) Pvt.
4. Majhighariani Institute of Technology and Science Rayagada (MIT) Pvt.

Sambalpur-Baragarh-Jharsuguda:

1. Black Diamond College of Engineering & Technology Jharsuguda (BDC) Pvt.
2. Padmashree Krutartha Acharya College of Engineering Bargarh (PKA) Pvt.
3. University College of Engineering Burla (UCE) Govt.

Angul-Talcher:

1. Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology Sarang (IGT) Govt.
2. Adarsha College of Engineering At Saradhapur, P.O. Kumurisingha Dist : Angul, Pin 759122 Orissa (planned)

Koraput-Jeypore:

1. Gopal Krushna College of Engineering & Technology Jeypore (GCE) Pvt.
2. Samanta Chandra Sekhar Institute of Technology & Management Semiliguda, Koraput (SCS) Pvt.

Others:

1. Jagannath Institute of Technology & Management Paralakhemundi (JIP) Pvt.
2. Orissa School of Mining Engineering Keonjhar (OSM) Govt.
3. Seemanta Engineering College Jharpokharia, Mayurbhanj (SEC) Pvt.

8 comments August 3rd, 2008

Foundation stone laid for engineering college in Berhampur; classes to start next year

Following is an excerpt from a report in Odisha Today.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday laid foundation stone for a degree Engineering college with an estimated cost of Rs 6 cr covering around 15 acres of land at Sitalapalli near Berhampur.

Following is from Samaja.

Following is from Dharitri.

Add comment July 27th, 2008

17+1 New Engineering Colleges in Orissa that are admitting students this year through BPUT counseling

Update on August 31, 2008: Subas institute of Technology, Barang starts admitting students from August 29th in the OSGE (Outside state general) category.

The following is obtained by looking at the counseling list at http://www.jeeorissa.com/availability_of_seats.asp.

• Apex Institute of Technology & Management, Pahal Bhubaneshwar (APT) Pvt.
• Bhubaneswar Engineering College Khurda (BEC) Pvt.
• Black Diamond College of Engineering & Technology Jharsuguda (BDC) Pvt.
• BRM International Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar (BII) Pvt.
• Centurian Institute of Technology Khurda (CIK) Pvt.
• Gandhi Institute of Industrial Technology Berhampur (GII) Pvt.
• Gandhi Institute of Science and Technology Rayagada (GIR) Pvt.
• Gandhi Institute of Technology & Management Khurda (GIK) Pvt.
• Gurukul Institute of Technology,Janla Bhubaneswar (GKT) Pvt.
• Hi-Tech Institute of Technology Khurda (HIT) Pvt.
• Indic Institute of Design & Research Khurda (IID) Pvt.
• Kalam Institute of Technology, Berhampur Berhampur (KIB) Pvt.
• Koustav Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar (KIT) Pvt.
• Maharaja Institute of Technology,Bhubaneswar Bhubaneswar (MIK) Pvt.
• Modern Engineering & Management Studies Balasore (MEM) Pvt.
• Modern Institute of Technology & Management Khurda (MIM) Pvt.
• Vignan Institute of Technology & Management Berhampur (VIT) Pvt.

The above 17 colleges include 11 colleges in the Bhubaneswar-Khurda-Cuttack area, 3 in Berhempur area, 1 in Balasore, 1 in Jharsuguda and 1 in Rayagada. This takes the total number of engineering colleges, that admit students via BPUT JEE,  to 58. It does not include ITER, KIIT, NIT Rourkela, IIIT Bhubaneswar, IIT Bhubaneswar, CIPET and Agricultural Engineering at OUAT.

36 comments July 19th, 2008

Orissa to push for the centrally funded IIIT to be in Berhampur: Dharitri

This is a very good and sensible decision by the state; hopefully the central govt. will not create issues with it.

Add comment July 12th, 2008