IIPH funding sources

A Rajya Sabha report gives some idea about the funding for IIPHs. Following is an excerpt from that report.

The Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) is a Public Private Partnership created for capacity building in Public Health Education, training and research. Considering the public health challenges that India faces, the demand for Public Health Professionals far exceeds the availability of adequately trained Public Health manpower. PHFI seeks to address this concern. Therefore, in the next 5-10 years, the PHFI would over the next 5-10 years help in creating around 2000 plus Public Health Professionals annually. This would be through establishment of world class Schools of Public Health  (IIPH); strengthening of existing Schools of Public Health in the country. PHFI would also help establish standards in Public Health Education by enabling the formation of independent accreditation system. 

The Government of India is contributing Rs. 65 Crore approximately one-third of the initial seed capital required for kick-starting the PHFI and for establishment of two Schools of Public Health. The remaining amount (approximately Rs.135 crore) is being raised from outside the Government, namely, Melinda & Bill Gates Foundation (Rs.65 cr.) and from high net-worth individuals. PHFI is managed by an independent Governing Board that includes 3 members from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfares viz. Secretary (H&FW); DG ICMR and DGHS. Shri T.K.A. Nair Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr. M.S. Ahluwalia, Vice Chairman, Planning Commission; Smt. Sujata Rao, AS&PD, NACO, Ministry of Health; Dr. Mashelkar, DG CSIR are also members of the Governing Board. The presence of the officials from Government would ensure that the decisions taken in PHFI are in consonance with the objectives for which PHFI has been supported by Government of India. It is expected that all members of the Governing Board would ensure the functioning of the Foundation as a professional organization and with complete transparency.

In the yahoo article http://in.news.yahoo.com/070628/48/6hhzm.html it is mentioned that the cost of IIPH in Gujarat is 140 crores of which the Gujarat government will contribute 25 crores.

October 21st, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral

PHFI and the new IIPHs (Indian Institutes of Public Health)

Following are extracts from the web pages of the Public Health Foundation of India (http://www.phfi.org/home.asp).

Background:

What is public health?

Public health has often been defined as a science dealing with the determinants and defense of health at the population level, while clinical medicine deals with multiple maladies and their remedies at the level of the individual patient.

Public health aims to elucidate and influence the social, cultural and economic determinants of health as well as to study and structure health systems as efficient channels for health services delivery. Public health thus is a discipline built on an academic tradition of inquiry involving research, teaching and professional practice to prevent disease and promote health in populations.

Why a foundation for public health?

As India experiences a rapid health transition, it is confronted both by an unfinished agenda of infectious diseases, nutritional deficiencies and unsafe pregnancies as well as the challenge of escalating epidemics of non-communicable diseases. This composite threat to the nation’s health and development needs a concerted public health response that can ensure efficient delivery of cost-effective interventions for health promotion, disease prevention and affordable diagnostic and therapeutic health care.

These health challenges urgently require capacity building for health research, policy development and analysis, programme development and evaluation, health systems organization, models of health care financing and operationalized scientific research.Education and training in public health needs to be inter-disciplinary in content so that the pathways of public health action are multi-sectoral. Public health education must include subject areas like epidemiology, biostatistics, behavioral sciences, health economics, health services management, environmental health, health inequities and human rights, gender and health, health communication, ethics of health care and research. The interventions proposed need to be evidence based, context specific and resource sensitive.

About Us:

The Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) is a response to redress the limited institutional capacity in India for strengthening training, research and policy development in the area of Public Health. It is a public private partnership that was collaboratively evolved through consultations with multiple constituencies including Indian and international academia, state and central governments in India, multi & bi-lateral agencies and civil society groups in India.

The mission of PHFI is to benchmark quality standards for public health education; establish public health institutes of excellence based on these standards; to undertake meaningful public health research; and to advocate for public policy linked to broader public health goals.
…

Charter:

The PHFI is working towards building public health capacity in India by:

* Establishing 5 -7 new institutes of public health over the next 6 years;
* Assisting the growth of existing public health training institutions/departments and facilitating their evolution into major institutes of public health;
 …

Career:

Directors: Indian Institutes of Public Health (Hyderabad, Delhi and Gandhinagar)

The Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) is seeking three dynamic and enterprising public health experts as Directors of its upcoming Indian Institutes of Public Health (IIPH) at Hyderabad, Delhi and Gandhinagar. The first IIPH is to come up by July 2008 and the other two will begin operations in 2009.

Following are excerpts from an yahoo article that gives an idea of the cost involved in making an IIPH.

THE Gujarat government has decided to set up an Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) under the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) project, initiated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last year.

This will churn out healthcare professionals and also to establish a strong national research network of public health, assisting in the growth of existing public health training institutions.

The State Cabinet, in its meeting on Wednesday, had cleared a proposal to allot 50 acres of government land for the Rs 140-crore IIPH at Chiloda near Gandhinagar. The institute has proposed a deemed university status.

An abridged version of an memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the PHFI and the state government had been signed during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January, 2006, for setting up of the institute.

The work on the institute is expected to begin in a month or so. When ready, the institute will offer degree courses, including a two-year master course in public health, one-year diploma in public health management and a three-year BSc course in public health.

For students from Gujarat, 10 per cent seats will be reserved for the Master Public Health (MPH) courses.

One-year diploma in public health (DPH) and other short-term courses will also be designed specifically for government servants and a subsidised fee structure for such candidates will be worked out.

… The official said the institute will also offer several short-term programmes in regard to in-service training in public health issues.

The setting up of the institute will certainly help the state in getting resource support and further strengthen health services for all sections of the population.

Of the estimated project cost of Rs 140 crore, Rs 80 crore will be used for construction, Rs 10 crore for learning resources and Rs 50 crore to cover operating deficit in the first 3 to 5 years.

Gujarat’s share will be Rs 25 crore, while the Public Health Foundation of India will provide the rest of the funds for the institute, the official added.

A newkerala.com article dated Sept 26th 2007 mentions that the fourth IIPH will be in Shillong, Meghalaya. A PIB release of last year mentions that there will be an IIPH in Mohali, Punjab. Hence, the five announced for IIPH will be in Hyderabad, Delhi and Gandhinagar, Shillong and Mohali.

84 comments October 21st, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral

On the new NIPERs

Following is an excerpt from a report in http://www.siasat.com/.

After Hyderabad, the National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) would commence operations at Ahmedabad, Hajipur (Bihar) and Kolkata this year, Arun Ramanathan, Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Fertilizers, said.

NIPER at Hyderabad, the second in the country after Mohali in Haryana, was inaugurated on Friday on a sprawling 150 acres of the sick Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited (IDPL).

Full-scale operations

Mr. Ramanathan told reporters after the inauguration that the four institutes would take up to two years to commence operations on a full scale. The establishment cost of each of the institutes would be Rs. 200 crore but it would be lesser here as the existing building of the R&D centre of IDPL was utilised for accommodation.

Answering a question, the Secretary also said the Centre was yet to identify a consultant to determine the roadmap for successful functioning of NIPERS in public-private partnership.

In the case of Hyderabad, there was no need of their presence in the initial stages as the State Government had donated the land and the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) offered to be mentor organisation, providing its lab facilities and faculty, Mr. Ramanathan added.

Trained manpower

He also said the Centre decided to start six NIPERs in the country at Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Hajipur, Kolkata, Guwahati and Rae Bareli during the Eleventh Five Year Plan. They planned to provide highly trained manpower for pharma industry which recorded the second highest growth rate after Information Technology. Manpower, however, was a major bottleneck for the pharma industry.

… The Hyderabad NIPER commenced its academic activity with an intake of 40 students in three post-graduate courses.

A joint counseling of four of the new NIPERs, that were initially mentioned in 2006, is at http://www.niper.gov.in/distbu_seats.htm. Earlier this year Guwahati and Rae Bareli got added to the list.

October 21st, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral

NISER Bhubaneswar: Tender Watch

Following are the latest tender related documents from http://www.dcsem.gov.in/Page/Tender.htm.

Earlier tender related news is at https://www.orissalinks.com/?p=214. Some of the links from that page do not work any more.

October 21st, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral

AIIMS clones in Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, Raipur, Patna, Rishikesh and Jodhpur: Tender watch

Latest from http://www.mohfw.nic.in/tenders.html:

• http://www.mohfw.nic.in/EoI_FOR_PC.htm. (EOI for project consultants – August 2007)
• Space Requirement for Six AIIMS Institutes
• Query and addendum of Design DPR for 6 AIIMS like Institutes
• Query and their reply with addendum of EPC Developer for 6 AIIMS like Institutes

Some earlier documents:

• RFP for EPC contractor for Housing Complex for Six AIIMS like Institutes
  • Volume 1 (a) Notice Inviting Bid (b)Instructions to Bidders (c) Terms of Reference (d) Evaluation Process and criteria.
  • Volume 2 (a)Conditions of contract.
  • Volume 3 (a) Client’s Requirement (b) Surveyed Site Plan (available with HLL)
• RFP for Design DPR Consultants for Six AIIMS like Institutes
  • Volume 1 (a) Notice Inviting Bid (b) Instructions to Bidders (c) Terms of Reference (d) Evaluation Process and criteria.
  • Volume 2 (a) Conditions of contract.
  • Volume 3 (a) Client’s Requirement (b) Surveyed Site Plan (available with HLL) (c) Geotechnical investigation report (available with HLL) (d) Zoning Plan. (available with HLL)
• Addendum / Clarification for EOI for design consultancy for 6 AIIMS like Institutes

Even earlier documents: (Reported in https://www.orissalinks.com/?p=93)

• EOI for providing comprehensive consultancy for 6 AIIMS like institutions (February 2007)
• EOI for setting up housing complexes at Bhubaneswar, …(February 2007)

Much earlier: (Reported in https://www.orissalinks.com/?p=79 )

• RFP for providing Consultancy Services for setting up 6 AIIMS like Apex Healthcare institutes
• Issue of RFP for Architectural Competition for six AIIMS under PMSSY Project (Drawing 1/Drawing 2/Drawing 3/RFP Document/Architects’ Brief) / Reply to Bidders’ Query / Amendment to RFP)

1 comment October 20th, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral

Arjun Singh at odds with the PM, Planning Commission and the Knowledge Commission?

Our earlier report https://www.orissalinks.com/?p=746 supports this to some extent. Following is  from an article in merinews.com written by Ashok K. Jha.

This government, …, had constituted a knowledge commission under Sam Pitroda who, encouraged by Rajiv Gandhi, had set up Centre for Developments of Telematics and C-Dot in the early eighties, which proved a catalyst for the Telecommunication Revolution that we are witnessing today. Many prominent personalities are also the members of this commission. After months of brainstorming and research the commission recommended its suggestions to the government.

 

But there are some politicians in our country who accord their personal ego and interests above country’s welfare and progress. Many analysts feel that there are some ministers in this government who embody that description.

 

Human Resource Minister, Arjun Singh kept ignoring the recommendations of the commission for reasons best known to him only. But recently, the minister hesitatingly met the Knowledge Commission Chairman, Sam Pitroda for a few minutes and heard him out. It is speculated that the minister might have been asked to mend his ways and cooperate with the Commission.

 

Arjun Singh was not impressed by the recommendatation of the commission and deliberately chose to ignore the suggestions of the commission until the Prime Minister himself took up the matter and declared the road map that his government intended to follow in accordance with the recommendations. Prime Minister had announced from the ramparts of the Red Fort that very soon every state would have a central university and the number of premier engineering and management institutes would be increased. He also said that in order to impart technical training at the grassroot level, thousands of technical institutes would be opened and the private sector will also be encouraged to participate.

 

But the fact is that there is a shortage of technical professionals and the situation will continue to look grim unless some drastic measures are implemented speedily. Manpower has become an asset for India and this will play a greater role in the future as the world population is ageing whereas the youth constitute greater percentage of India’s population.

 

The world has become a global village now and if India is not able to match its pace with the rest of the world, then, very soon it will be another story of opportunity missed.

 

Arjun Singh does not seem to care a bit and is not willing to act unless it results in some kind of a political dividend for him.

 

It might sound amusing as he might himself not remember when he won any election last. In fact, in spite of being beaten in elections repeatedly, he became a minister only for his consistent loyalty to the Gandhi family. He should have realised his limitations and spent his energy in keeping his benefactors in good humour. Strangly, he became ambitious and started tinkering in everything like his predecessor, Murli Manohar Joshi used to do.

 

Whatever developmental strides India is making now is due to its ‘knowledge workforce’ and to gain the much aspired momentum, our education system needs to be drastically changed. But what would be the result if the minister himself starts obstructing all such initiatives on the ground that any such move would not yield any political dividends for him? The Prime Minister should act firmly now otherwise there are many politicians who can’t foresee beyond personal interests. They must be made to realise and mend their follies in the larger interest of the public they are elected to serve.

1 comment October 20th, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral

Business India B-School ranking

The following is from http://www.mbauniverse.com/innerPage.php?id=ne&pageId=660. 

78 comments October 20th, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral

IBN Live: Location decisions on the remaining 4 IITs and 6 IIMs to be after 11th plan is finalized

Following are excerpts from an IBN live report. (video)

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked the HRD ministry to put at abeyance all decisions regarding location of eight IITs and seven IIMs till a formal mechanism is evolved. In an explicit direction to the HRD ministry, the PMO wants locations of these top institutes be put on hold till the 11th Plan is finalised. National Development Council will meet on the December 9 this year to put its stamp of approval on the plan of the expansion planned. The HRD ministry has already circulated a bill to establish 16 central universities and location of four IITs and one IIM have been fixed.

October 20th, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral

Master plan for Vedanta University wins AIA Baltimore design awards

Baltimore Sun writes that the master plan for Vedanta University, designed by Ayers Saint Gross,  wins the 2007 AIA Baltimore design awards. The award celebration will be today, Oct 19th 2007, at 6:30 PM  at Stewart’s Building, 230 Lexington Street at Howard in Baltimore, MD. (The AIA Baltimore design award web page says that: "Award-Winning projects will be on display at the Baltimore City Hall Rotunda November 13 – December 7, and thereafter with all entries, in the AIABaltimore Gallery through the end of the year.") 

The Ayers Saint Gross web page now also has the Vedanta University Humanities building listed under "On the boards" category. About the Humanities building, it says the following:

The Humanities Program was written by Ayers/Saint/Gross Inc. in April 2007.  The building was programmed as 11,731 gross square meters with 7,273 net assignable square meters.  This is based on an enclosed, conditioned shell in accordance with standard U.S. methods of calculation.

October 19th, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral

All India PMT conducted by CBSE: information on on-line application (16th Oct to 26th Nov)

The following is excerpted from http://www.cbse.nic.in/welcome.htm. Please go to that site for up-to-date information. The information below was copied on October 19 2007. Its possible that the CBSE site may have updated information.

Click here to download Information Bulletin
Important Information at a Glance
1.	Please read the instructions and proceed carefully before you start filling the application form.
2.	Examintion Fees
CATEGORY FEES GENERAL Rs. 400/- SC/ST Rs. 200/-
3.	Application can be submitted Online during 16.10.2007 (10:00 AM) to 26.11.2007 (05:00 PM)
4.	After successful submission of On-line Application Form, an Application Number along with confirmation page will be generated.
5.	Candidates are advised to take printout of confirmation page and paste his/her two recent photographs (as given in point 6 below), sign in the specified box and send this confirmation page along with Demand Draft by Registered/Speed Post  to "The Deputy Secretary (AIPMT Unit), Central Board of Secondary Education, Shiksha Kendra, 2, Comunity Centre, Preet Vihar, Delhi 110 301" for further processing so as to reach on or before 28.11.2007. Application received after the last date will not be accepted.
6.	Photograph : Firmly affix two recent good quality color passport size photograph (taken on or after 1.9.2007) with gum/fevicol (not to be pinned or stapled) in the space provided for it in the Application Form, one duly attested by the Principal/Head of the institution/Gazatted Officer. Before affixing the photograph, candidate must write down his/her Name and Application Number on the back of the both the photographs with ball point pen only. The photograph must indicate clearly the name of the candidate along with the date of taking the photograph. Photographs should be without cap or goggles. Spectacles are allowed. Polaroid photos are not acceptable. The photograph of the candidate should be attested by the Principal/Head of the Institution or Gazetted Officer in such a way that part of the signature is on the photograph and remaining part of the signature is on the application form. Attestation should be done on the bottom part of the photograph so that the photograph is not defaced. Candidates not complying with these instructions or with unclear photograph are liable to be rejected. Candidates may keep 6-8 identical photographs in reserve for use at the time of entrance examination/Counselling/Admission.
7.	Before the dispatch of the application form, kindly insure that the form is complete in all respect.
8.	Candidates submitting applications online are required  to attach Demand Draft of required fee (In favour of “Secretary CBSE Delhi”, payable at Delhi). to mention his/her Application No., Name, and Address on the back of the Demand Draft to retain a photocopy of confirmation page for future reference. to retain a photocopy of the Demand Draft sent. to retain the original receipt issued by the post office for having dispatch the Application Form The processing of applications will begin only after receiving confirmation page and Demand Draft.
8.	Eligibility and Qualifications:  He/She has completed age of 17 years at the time of admission or will complete the age on or before 31st December of the year of his/her admission to the 1st year MBBS/Dental Course and is an INDIAN NATIONAL. The upper age limit for All India Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Entrance Examination is 25 years as on 31st December of the year of the entrance examination. Further provided that this upper age limit shall be relaxed by a period of 5 (five) years for the candidates of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward Classes. The number of attempts which a candidate can avail at All India Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Entrance Examination shall be limited to Three (03) uniformly for all the candidates. The candidate must have passed in the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English individually and must have obtained a minimum of 50% marks taken together in Physics, Chemistry and Biology at the qualifying examination. In respect of the candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward Classes the marks obtained in Physics, Chemistry and Biology taking together in qualifying examination be 40% instead of 50% for General candidates. Those who are taking plus two examination in 2008 can also appear for the entrance test provisionally subject to their fulfilling the canditions later.
Procedure for filling the Application Form
	Please go to http://www.cbseaff.nic.in/aipmt08/online/instruction.aspx and follow instructions and links from there.

59 comments October 19th, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral

The engineering and MBA system in Karnataka: lessons for BPUT

An article in Deccan Herald elaborates on the practice that is being followed at the various engineering colleges and MBA institutions and their technical university. I do not know the detailed process at BPUT, but it seems BPUT is stricter in some ways. Following are some differences that I came across between the Karnataka system and BPUT.

• According to the above mentioned article In Karnataka admission under management quota is done by individual colleges making up their own merit list. Under BPUT, this year admission to management quota is also through common counseling and one has to take the Orissa JEE. BPUT is even having a second JEE so that the leftover seats in the colleges can get filled.
• In Orissa many of the colleges do not have heavy political connections.

Some questions that I hope some students in engineering colleges can answer are as follows:

• How does the internal system of marks work in Orissa engineering colleges under BPUT?
• How good or bad is the grading?

Dear Readers: Please make other comparisons.

5 comments October 19th, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral

Some details on the proposed 16 central universities

The following is from a report in Hindustan Times.

The government has chosen hybrid model of Indian and American universities for the 16 new Central Universities to be opened in the next five years.

The administrative model would be similar to Jawaharlal Nehru University, whereas the academic model is inspired by American universities. In a comprehensive project report submitted to the HRD ministry, Educational Consultants India Limited (EDCIL) has said that each university should teach at least 10,000 students.

Of these, 80 per cent of the students will get residential facilities. The report was prepared after deputy chairperson of Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, proposed expansion and reforms in higher education to PM Manmohan Singh earlier this year.

Taking the suggestions into account, the EDCIL has proposed that the new Central universities will have six-year integrated courses with two-year post-graduate course and four-year doctoral programme, a mark difference from the present practice in Indian universities. The requisite of MPhil, after two years of post-graduation, for doctoral course has been abolished in the structure for the new universities.

“The concept is similar to the one in American institutions where the stress is more on research,” said Chairman and Managing Director of EDCIL Anju Banerjee. In addition to conventional, arts, social sciences, science and engineering courses, the new universities will also offer professional courses in architecture and fashion, nano-technology, bio-informatics, paramedics and information technology. However, medical colleges have not been proposed to be part of these universities.

Banerjee also said that they have also provided an option of mobility of students from one stream to another. The new universities would have semester system of education, continuous evaluation and assessment and a common admission system. “We have already circulated a Cabinet note for a uniform law for all these 16 universities,” a HRD ministry official said.

Taking a cue from American universities, the concept of schools has been recommended, like School of Engineering and School of Science. Each school would be headed by a Board of Studies to provide autonomy to each section within the federal structure of the university.

However, the overall administrative structure is similar to the JNU model with the new universities not being affiliating. The 150-page report being given final touches by HRD ministry also proposes a lower student teacher ratio of the international level to improve quality of education.

However, University Grants Commission scales have been proposed for the faculty.

October 19th, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral

Briefs on the IIT in Orissa issue at the Resident Commissioner’s website

The following is from http://rc.orissa.gov.in/index3.asp?linkid=53&sublinkid=209. It was prepared by the industries department in late February 2007.

BACKGROUND OF IIT PROPOSED IN ORISSA

1 Central Government was earlier considering upgradation of a few selected existing institutions to Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) level. On the proposal of the State Government, it was agreed to consider upgradation of one institution in Orissa.

2 It is learnt that the Government of India has now proposed to establish three greenfield IITs under the 11th Five-Year Plan. Originally, Orissa was included in this proposal, which was also announced by Honourable Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development (HRD) Shri M.A.A. Fatmi on 28th August at Patna. However, recent new reports state that the greenfield IITs will be set up in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan, while Orissa has been excluded.

3 The original choice of Orissa was one that had received State wide support and created enthusiasm. The recent news of it being shifted elsewhere has caused widespread disappointment.

4 Separately, the Governing Body of IIT Kharagpur has approved a full fledged campus in Bhubaneswar by upgrading its existing extension centre, entailing an investment of Rs. 800 – 900 crores. The proposal is awaiting the clearance of Ministry of Human Resources Development (MoHRD), Government of India (GoI).  The State Government has offered 300 acres of land free of cost for this project.

5 Honourable Chief Minister of Orissa Shri Naveen Patnaik has written to Honourable Prime Minister of India for considering Orissa as the location of one of the greenfield IITs and for expediting the MoHRD sanction to branch campus of IIT Kharagpur.

RATIONALE FOR TOP PRIORITY OF ESTABLISHING AN IIT’S IN ORISSA

1 Orissa is today poised to emerge as the mining, metals, manufacturing and power generation hub of the country with investment proposals amounting to over Rs. 400, 000 crore.  Out of this, over Rs. 30,000 crore investment has already materialised, creating employment opportunities, direct and indirect, for about 30,000 persons.

2 The State has also made considerable headway in promoting technical institutions at ITI, diploma and degree levels, which provides the required critical mass to support institutions of higher learning of the level of an IIT.

3       Orissa has the highest concentration of engineering colleges in eastern India and with the current rate of growth, it is expected to be amongst the top States in the country in the very near future.

4       In recent years Orissa has developed a large number of new (mostly private) engineering and MCA colleges and an IIT that grants M.Tech and Ph.D degrees will significantly help in improving the faculty quality of the Orissa engineering colleges, as their faculty can more easily pursue a higher degree at the IIT and can collaborate with IIT faculty. If India were to maintain its growth, India’s engineering colleges have to improve their faculty quality drastically and the new IITs should contribute to that.  As one of the emerging hubs for technical education in the country, Orissa greatly deserves an IIT.

5       The vibrant growth in the industrial sector and the technical education sector in the State provides enormous potential for industry and institution linkages, which includes research development activities. Establishment of an IIT in Orissa will greatly facilitate in intensifying this process, which is of critical importance to make the industry globally competitive.

6       Today, Orissa is playing host to the biggest ever FDI projects in the country such as POSCO and Arcelor Mittal steel projects. The presence of such strong industrial players will definitely provide required synergy for an IIT level institution to realize its full potential. Many of the existing & upcoming industries would be able to leverage the presence of an IIT to boost Research & Development (R&D) activities, and they are also very keen to forge varied forms of partnerships with the IIT.

7       Government of India is requested for establishment of a greenfield IIT in Orissa, which would go a long way in supporting the rapid industrial growth in the State by producing highly qualified technical and managerial personnel as well as the much needed R&D support.

8       State Government while recommending the proposal has also conveyed its willingness to provide 300 acres of land free of cost for the prestigious project of IIT Kharagpur to have a full campus in Bhubaneswar with a final intake capacity of 5000 students. MoHRD, GoI is requested to expedite the approval of the same as well.

9       Orissa finds itself at the bottom of per capita funding through MOHRD, which is not at all justified. The establishment of a greenfield IIT in Orissa along with full branch of IIT Kharagpur shall help in improving this unbalanced and skewed position.

October 19th, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral

A second JEE examination by BPUT

The following is from http://www.jeeorissa.com/newsfiles/news_37.htm.

9 comments October 18th, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral

Another BPUT JEE Counseling session for outside state candidates: 22nd and 23rd October 2007

The following is from http://www.jeeorissa.com/newsfiles/news_38.html.

JOINT ENTRANCE EXAMINATION-2007, ORISSA

COUNSELLING-CUM-ADMISSION FOR VACANT SEATS OF MCA/ENGINEERING/MBA/PHARM/ARCH. COURSES

FOR OUTSTATE (OSGE) EXTENDED MERIT LIST CANDIDATES ONLY

Some seats of different Engineering/MCA/MBA/Arch./Pharmacy courses in private colleges are lying vacant after 4^th   phase counseling. As per Govt. order No. 15737, Dated 17.10.2007 the next phase counseling-cum-admission process for  OUTSTATE (OSGE) EXTENDED MERIT LIST CANDIDATES ONLY for the 25% of remaining vacant seats of private colleges will be held as per schedule given below. The detail vacant seat position will be published in our web site www.jeeorissa.com at the end of 4^th phase counseling i.e. 20.10.2007 evening. The result of these extended merit list candidates in different courses are also available in our web site. Candidates are advised to verify their result and print out the rank detail from web site and accordingly come for counseling as per schedule.

Venue:            OUAT Conference Hall (Swaminathan Hall)

Schedule of Counselling-cum-admission

Session Timing- Reporting Time: Session 1- 8.15am; Session 2 – 11.30am; session 3 – 3pm.

All Candidates are required to bring the following documents to the counselling: (i) Print out of the Down loaded Rank card (for extended merit list candidates) along with JEE admit card or original JEE rank card  (ii) All certificates and mark-sheets starting from 10^th standard with one set of Xerox copies of each, (iii) SLC/CLC in original (iv) Certificate from the head of the Institution last attended (Appendix V in JEE Counselling-cum-admission Instructions available in our website: www.jeeorissa.com,) (v)  Two Bank drafts of Rs.16,000/- and Rs.200/- in favour of “JEE-2007” payable at Bhubaneswar (vi) For architecture candidates NATA score card is compulsory failing which he/she will not eligible for taking admission.          

Chairman JEE-2007, Orissa

1 comment October 18th, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral

RSP expansion and adoption of ITIs in Sundergarh district by RSP

Following is from http://rc.orissa.gov.in/index3.asp?linkid=30&sublinkid=232.

Shri S.K.Roongta, Chairman, SAIL along with Shri B.N.Singh, M.D. Rourkela Steel Plant called on the Chief Minister at Orissa Bhawan. They briefed the Chief Minister about the expansion plans of Rourkela Steel Plant.  He intimated that it has been decided to increase the capacity of Rourkela Steel Plant from 2.1 million tonnes to 4.5 million tones hot metal with an approximate investment of Rs 10,000 Crore. He agreed to the suggestion of the Chief Minister to adopt the existing ITIs of the Sundergarh District and also launch Mobile Medical Vans for each block of the Sundargarh District to deal with the common medical ailments like Malaria. Chief Minister also asked the Chairman, SAIL to take up afforestation in the periphery area of the RSP in a big way.

October 18th, 2007 Author : Chitta Baral