Odisha HRD

What to do after B.Tech?

It is a good idea for some to consider pursuing M.Tech (via GATE) after B.Tech and then go for an academic job in engineering colleges. One may also consider doing a Ph.D and going after a faculty job in top institutions. Some of the reasons are:

• IT job market is getting tougher for fresh graduates.
• These days there are uncertainties in IT jobs for even people with experience.
• UGC salary has increased quite a bit. See also this latest PIB.
• There is a lot of demand for M.Techs for faculty positions in engineering colleges across India.
• See also the following piece in Samaja. (I don’t endorse the numbers, or the sentiment behind the trading, but it does give an idea regarding which jobs are stable. This may be useful to people looking for stability.)
• Eight new IITs, ten new NITs, 14 new National Universities and 16 central universities (13 of them new) are opening across India. A large number of faculty positions will be available in these places.

183 comments December 16th, 2008 Author : Chitta Baral

Concept paper being finalized for the proposed 14 national universities

Following is from http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=45702.

The Government proposes to establish 14 National Universities aiming towards world-class standards the 11^th Plan period.  A State- wise list of cities identified or locating these universities is annexed.  A preliminary draft of the Concept Paper on setting up of these universities was prepared by an Expert Committee constituted by the University Grants Commission.  The Expert Committee has held extensive consultations with eminent educationists, academics and policy makers.  The relevant recommendations of the National Knowledge Commission have also been taken into consideration by the Expert Committee while revising the draft Concept Paper. The Concept Paper is, however, yet to be finalized by the Committee.

This information was given by Shri Arjun Singh, the Minister of Human Resource Development in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

1 comment December 16th, 2008 Author : Chitta Baral

NIT Rourkela alumni association organizing seminar in Bhubaneswar

Dear All Alumni of all places,

It is a great pleasure to hereby inform you that NITRAAB is organizing a national level seminar on 21st December 2008 (sun day) at 9.15 a.m. at the hotel SWOSTI PLAZA. The theme of the seminar is INDUSTRIAL RESURGENCE IN ORISSA .

The seminar will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Orissa and many other dignitaries and renowned speakers will grace the occasion. It will also be attended by many of the loved and respected ex- faculties of the RECR/NITR.

In fact this seminar will be the perfect showcase of the newly registered NITRAAB and its activities, with support and help from the NITRAA H.Q. at Rourkela. So as the honourable members of the NITRAA, you are hereby earnestly requested to make this seminar a grand success by attending and participating in it with out fail.

The seminar is arranged on sponsorship basis and hence there shall not be any participation fees.

Since this will be our own fuction, it is needless to say that our presence is essential. The programme for the day will be as follows :-

Seminar- with snacks and lunch:- 9.15 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Dinner and Cultural Programme :- 6.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.

Please attend and make it a success.

Sincerely

Sanjaya K. Mohanty
Co-ordinator
sanjaya58@gmail.com

(Message sent by

Bharati Panda
NIT- Rourkela 1980 (Mech.)
Member / Board of Governors
NIT – Rourkela )

1 comment December 15th, 2008 Author : Chitta Baral

IIT Bhubaneswar to run from Bhubaneswar from 2009: Kalinga Times

Following is from Kalinga Times’ report on it.

The classes of IIT Bhubaneswar, which are now being held at IIT Kharagpur, will be conducted at the latter’s extension centre here from July next year.

The student strength of IIT Bhubaneswar will increase from the present 120 to 240 by July next.

All the 240 students of IIT Bhubaneswar will attend their classes in the extension centre of IIT Kharagpur which will be used as a temporary campus till IIT Bhubaneswar developed its own campus in the city.

… IIT Kharagpur is facilitating establishment of IIT Bhubaneswar as the mentor IIT appointed by the Central government.

The authorities of IIT Kharagpur are now constructing new buildings at their extension centre in the city to accommodate IIT Bhubaneswar till the later develops its own campus.

The process of appointment of teachers and other staff for IIT Bhubaneswar has also started. The process of selecting 30 faculty members was nearing completion, Dr. Damodar Acharya, Director of IIT Kharagpur and Chairman of the Governing Body of IIT Bhubaneswar, told reporters in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

On the other hand, efforts were on to start construction of IIT Bhubaneswar’s own campus next year. A total of Rs 1,000 crore will be utilised for the establishment of the IIT.

Odisha government has already offered land at several locations around the city for the proposed campus for IIT Bhubaneswar. The site selection process will be over within a few weeks.

1 comment December 15th, 2008 Author : Chitta Baral

Rs 80,000/year fellowships for science students under INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research)

Update2: The number 80,000 is inconsistent with the earlier announced number of Rs 100,000/year made in http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=36632.

Update: See also http://www.pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=45626 for the PM’s speech while launching the INSPIRE program.

Following is from a report in Telegraph.

India’s brightest students who choose to pursue science in college will get Rs 80,000 a year under a government scholarship to draw youngsters to careers in research.

The department of science and technology (DoT) today launched the nation’s largest-ever project to wean high-school students away from dreams of studying engineering or medicine towards BSc and MSc degrees.

Students who rank within 10,000 in the IIT Joint Entrance Examination and within 20,000 in the All India Engineering Entrance Examination but still choose BSc will be eligible for the scholarship, announced earlier this year but formally launched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today. Students who clear the central medical entrance exam but opt for BSc will also be eligible.

All students who come within the top 1 per cent both in the 10th and 12th standard exams of central or state boards may also apply for the Scholarship for Higher Education. The department of science expects to offer 10,000 scholarships every year.

Students of Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) and the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), national science talent scholars and Olympiad medallists will also be eligible.

The scholarship will be available from BSc second year till the students complete their master’s. Students of IISER Pune, Calcutta, Mohali, Bhopal and Thiruvananthapuram will receive it this year. So will those of NISER Bhubaneswar.

… The project will also award Rs 5,000 every year to 200,000 students from classes VI to X — picked with help from the schools’ science faculties — for work on a school-level science project. It will provide doctoral fellowships and an assured five-year research career to postgraduate students.

The government will spend Rs 2,100 crore on the scheme in the next three years.

India’s science policy makers have long worried about the migration of meritorious students towards, traditionally, engineering and medicine and, in recent years, management and information technology. “This initiative is important for India from a long-term perspective,” said T. Ramasamy, DoT secretary. “We expect to begin seeing gains from this in about a decade or so from now.”

128 comments December 14th, 2008 Author : Chitta Baral

Current TIFR locations

Following is from a TIFR page.

December 14th, 2008 Author : Chitta Baral

Each Institute for Nano Science and Technology will cost 100 crore: 3 in India

December 14th, 2008 Author : Digambar

Clustering govt. colleges in Orissa

Following are clusters of govt. colleges based on the list at https://www.orissalinks.com/archives/1780. Based on the NKC’s aim of having many small universities, we list some universities that may b e created.

1. Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri (Bhubaneswar university may be made with the following as constituent colleges. CET Bhubaneswar may be added to it.)
   • S.B. Women’s College
   • JKBK College
   • I.M.I.T. Cuttack.
   • B.J.B. College, BBSR.
   • Rajdhani College, BBSR.
   • R.D. Women’s College, BBSR.
   • CITE, BBSR
   • ISMT, BBSR
   • MICM, BBSR
   • S.C.S. College, Puri.
   • Govt. Women’s College, Puri.
2. Jajpur-Bhadrakh (A Kalinganagar University may be made near Jajpur Rd and these colleges may be made constituents of this University)
   • N.C. College, Jajpur.
   • Bhadrak College, Bhadrakh
3. Balasore (These two colleges should be made as constituent colleges of FM University)
   • F.M. College, Balasore.
   • K.K.S. Women’s College, Balasore
4. Keonjhar (A Keonjhar University may be created with the following three and perhaps OSME Keonjhar as constituent college of it.)
   • D.D. College, Keonjhar
   • Govt. Women’s College, Keonjhar
   • B.N. Sanskrit College, Tukuna, Keonjhar.
5. Baripada(These colleges should be made constituent colleges of North Orissa University)
   • M.P.C. College, Baripada.
   • Govt. Women’s College, Baripada.
   • Govt. Sanskrit College, Baripada
6. Dhenkanal-Angul (A University may be made in Angul and these colleges may be made as constituent colleges of that university. IGIT Sarang, may also be made a constituent college of this university)
   • Dhenkanal College, Dhenkanal.
   • Dhenkanal Women’s College.
   • Govt. College, Angul.
7. Berhampur-Chhatrapur-Aska (A South Orissa University may be created and these colleges may be made as constituent colleges of that university.)
   • Khallikote College, Berhampur
   • B.A. College, Berhampur.
   • S.B. Rath Women’s College, Berhampur
   • Govt. Sc. College, Chhatrapur.
   • Niranjan Govt. Women’s College, Aska.
8. Parlakhemundi (A Gajapati university made created with this college as a constituent college of it.)
   • S.K.C.G. College, Parlakhemundi.
9. Phulbani (A Central Orissa University may be created and these colleges may be made constituent colleges of that university)
   • Govt. College, Phulbani.
   • S.M. Govt. Women’s College, Phulbani.
10. Koraput-Jeypore (A Koraput University may be created and these colleges may be made constituent colleges of that university)
    • V.Deb College, Jeypore.
    • Govt. Women’s College, Jeypore.
    • D.A.V. College, Koraput.
11. Bhawanipatna (A Kalahandi University may be created and these colleges may be made constituent colleges of that university)
    • Govt. College, Bhawanipatna.
    • Women’s College, Bhawanipatna.
12. Sambalpur-Bargarh (A Western Orissa University may be created and these colleges may be made constituent colleges of that university)
    • G.M. College, Sambalpur.
    • N.S.C.B. College, Sambalpur.
    • Govt. Women’s College, Sambalpur.
    • Panchayat College, Bargarh.
13. Balangir-Titlagarh (A Balangir University may be created and these colleges may be made constituent colleges of that university)
    • Rajendra College, Balangir.
    • Govt. College, Balangir.
    • Govt. Women’s College, Balangir.
    • Govt. Women’s Jr College, Titlagarh.
    • B.B. Sankrit College, Bolangir
14. Sundergarh-Rourkela (A Rourkela University may be created and these colleges may be made constituent colleges of that university)
    • Govt. College, Sundargarh.
    • Govt. Women’s College, Sundargarh.
    • Govt. College, Rourkela.
    • S.G. Women’s College, Rourkela.
    • Rourkela College, Rourkela.

December 13th, 2008 Author : Chitta Baral

Higher education reforms planned at the prodding of NKC

Following are excerpts from a report in tathya.in.

Orissa has initiated moves to reform its higher education system, thanks to National Knowledge Commission (NKC) initiative.

The Higher Education department has moved to set up two committees in this regard.

Madhu Sudan Padhi, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Higher Education has moved for setting up the committees to take up reforms of the existing universities.

There are 7 universities under the administrative control of the Higher Education department.

As per guidelines of NKC, in order to bring reforms in the existing academic and examination system, Vice Chancellor of Utkal University will be assigned the job.

NKC has advised the State Governments to ask the universities to revise or restructure curricula at least once in 3 years.

Secondly it has said that annual examination, which tests memory rather than understanding, needs to be supplemented with continuous internal assessment.

NKC proposes a transition to a course credit system where degrees are granted on the basis of completing a requisite number of credits from different course, which provides students with choices.

Universities must become Hub of Research, which is totally absent, said a senior officer.

These are the few guidelines and including others on which the VC committee will prepare the “blueprint” for reforms, said he.

Another committee headed by the Secretary Higher Education will look into to structural reforms including governance, setting up small universities and restructuring the under graduate colleges.

Both the committees will present their report by 15 February, which will form the part of the Blue Print for the state, said he.

I think various state-funded colleges should be combined to form local universities. I will elaborate on this in another post.

December 13th, 2008 Author : Chitta Baral

IISERs and NISER leadership comparison

(The following is compiled from various sources including wikipedia.)

December 11th, 2008 Author : Chitta Baral

Prof. T. K. Chandrashekar joins as NISER Bhubaneswar director on Dec 8, 2008.

Prof. T. K. Chandrashekar has joined as director of NISER on Dec 8, 2008. His web page at IIT Kanpur is at http://www.iitk.ac.in/chm/tkc.html. He is coming from a stint as Director of the  National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science & Technology(NIST) (Formerly Regional Research Laboratory) Trivandrum.

His profile obtained from a NISER notice is as follows.

1 comment December 11th, 2008 Author : Chitta Baral

Higher Educational Institutions in Neighbouring Cities of Orissa (Incomplete List)

• Vidyasagar University

• Indian Institute of Technology

• Indian Statistical Institute
• Indian Institute of Management
• Calcutta University
• Jadavpur University
• Bengal Engineering College (upgraded to be IIEST)
• Rabindra Bharati University
• West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences
• Kolkata National Medical College
• Medical College Kolkata
• RG Kar Medical College
• Nilratan Sirkar Medical College
• (plan on upgrading a state medical college to AIIMS like institution)
• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research
• World Class Central University (National University)
• Ghanikant Choudhury Engineering Science and Technology

• Birla Institute of Technology
• Bisra Agriculture University
• Ranchi University
• Central University
• Indian Institute of Management
• Rajendra Medical College

• National Institute of Technology
• MGM Medical College (under Ranchi University)

• Andhra University
• Andhra Medical College (under Andhra University)
• Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (private)
• Andhra Engineering College under Andhra University (upgraded to be IIEST)
• World Class Central University (National University)

• Govt. Medical College Jagdalpur
• A new state university proposed by Chhattisgarh Government

• Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University
• Indira Gandhi Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya
• Hidayatullah National Law University
• Pandit Sunder Lal Sharma Open University
• Pandit JNM Medical College
• Indira Kala Snageet Viswa Vidyalay
• National Institute of Technology
• Indian Institute of Management
• AIIMS like institution
• IIIT (proposed by NTPC and Central Government)
• Medical University (newly proposed by state Government)
• Kalinga University (private, newly proposed)

• Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanad Technical University
• Bhilai Institute of Technology

• Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI) (private, newly proposed)

• Guru Ghsidas University (up graded to Central University)
• Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Science (under Guru Ghasidas Univ)
• Engineering College (under Guru Ghasidas Univ)

1 comment December 10th, 2008 Author : Digambar

UCE Burla unitary university bill to be presented in assembly later this week

It is through the Orissa Cabinet. See http://www.tathya.in/2008/story.asp?sno=2413 and http://www.tathya.in/2008/story.asp?sno=2411. Many thanks to the industries department and especially the unsung SM, who I think did the bulk of the work in the government in such a speedy manner.

Following is a report on the subject.

Continue Reading 15 comments December 9th, 2008 Author : Chitta Baral

Vedanta University Project sets record stratight against unsubstantiated rumors

Following is from a report in Daily Pioneer.

The State Government has allotted 6,000 acres of land, and not 8,000 acres as reported in a section of the media, to the Anil Agarwal Foundation to establish its world-class Vedanta University near the Puri-Konark marine drive.

The land would be used only for the purposes of the university as per the terms of the Government, said a project release on Monday.

The release said the Anil Agarwal Foundation is acquiring land at full market value, well beyond the Government’s land acquisition norms in terms of compensation, ex-gratia payment, rehabilitation and other facilities to the landowners.

Out of the 6,000 acres earmarked for the university, only 1,300 acres constitute the land owned by Lord Jagannath.

The temple trust has agreed to sell the land for the educational mission and the foundation is acquiring it at full and fair market value.

The release claimed that world-class universities like Stanford, Duke and Harvard have land areas of 8,180 acres, 7,200 acres and 4,940 acres, respectively. Vedanta University, 6,000 acres, would be unique with 100,000 students, 10,000 faculty and 95 academic disciplines.

Vedanta would have no control over any land near or far from its site. The Puri-Konark Development Authority and the district administration would make all decisions regarding future developments in the area.

Following are some excerpts from a tathya.in report.

The University will have its own water harvesting and recycling system and there will be no adverse impact on the availability of water for the people of Puri.

… World Class Vedanta University will put Orissa on the global education map and will further enhance the cultural significance of Puri and Konark.

It will provide continuing employment opportunity for several thousands of people in the area.

Vedanta University Project(VUP) has already undertaken many developmental programs in the areas of health, education, livelihood and peripheral development which are greatly appreciated by the local people.

December 9th, 2008 Author : Chitta Baral

Tathya on six deemed university proposals waiting for NOC from the state

Following is an excerpt from a report in tathya.in.

… At least 6 professional educational institutions have applied for No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the State Government for Deemed University (DU) tag.

Those are Vidya Bharati Trust, Bhubaneswar, Krupajal Educational Trust, Bhubaneswar, Nav Dignata Educational Trust, Bhubaneswar, C V Raman Educational Trust, Bhubaneswar, Asian School of Business Management, Bhubaneswar and Ajay Binay College of Architecture, Cuttack.  (Editor’s addition: See https://www.orissalinks.com/archives/1197)

Once they receive the NOC then they will approach the University Grants Commission (UGC) for conferring DU status.

But it seems the Government of Orissa is in no mood to give NOC to these institutions.

Recently held meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary has opined negatively over the issue, said a senior official.

Orissa is having 9 State Universities, 3 Deemed Universities and 1 World Class University and a Central University have been sanctioned by MHRD.

World Class University of Vedanta at Puri, Sri Sri University at Naraj in Cuttack and ICFAI University at Bhubaneswar is also coming up.

In view of the surge of universities in the state, the Chief Secretary Committee has decided not to allow any other professional educational institution for Deemed University status, said sources.

Once they receive DU tag then those will not come under the purview of the Orissa Professional Educational Institution (Regulation & Fee) Act-2007.

… The Committee is of view that providing DU status to professional educational institutions in the state will defeat the purpose of setting up a technology university in Orissa, BPUT.

However all the private educational institutions are making efforts to influence political leadership to favor them with DU tag.

Vidya Bharati Trust(VBT), Bhubaneswar, which runs Gandhi Group of educational institutions has claimed to be the largest educational complex in KBK area of the state.

As the KBK area does not have any university, VBT has justified its demand for DU status.

My thoughts: The two private deemed universities in the state are KIIT and SOA. Both have medical colleges associated with them. The state government should suggest the 6 applicants above that they will get serious consideration for a NOC only after they have an associated medical college, especially in a backward district. This will be a win-win situation for every body.

Orissa needs more medical facilities in most of its districts and even after promising free land and Rs. 5 crore through WODC it is having difficulty establishing medical colleges in WODC districts. Thus if the above 6 applicants establish medical colleges in some of the backward districts in Orissa, then that will help Orissa a lot.

The government is right in being careful in granting NOCs. There are 50+ engineering colleges in the state and not every one of them or too many of them should become deemed universities. By requiring an associated medical college as a criteria for giving NOCs the government will be able to figure out which organization is financially strong and has a bigger goal.

1 comment December 6th, 2008 Author : Chitta Baral

Sambada on Vedanta University and not messing up an opportunity that may not come again in 100-200 years

Thank you Sambada.

Following is a translation of the initial part of the article:

Today in the state assembly two private university bills will be discussed; Sri Sri University bill and Vedanta University bill. Orisssa’s higher education future rests on these two bills. In regards to the first university bill, so far, there has not been any controversy, but for whatever reason the proposed Vendanta University is embroiled in controversies. Opposition to land acquisition for the project, court entanglement, reports in police station, and similar issues have tied down the project. For two years there has not been much progress in the ground. The situation is such that like the Singur Nano project in West Bengal there is apprehension that this world class project may withdraw from Orissa. If that happens Orissa’s dream of being a top higher education location in the world will be shattered. In the past several assembly members have opposed the Vedanta University project. The reason for their opposition! Doubt. There is opposition to the land acquisition in the proposed project area. Few days back there was a struggle in that area. The reason for that was also doubts. May be Vedanta will withdraw from the university project after acquiring the land; May be the people will lose their livelihood; May be Vedanta will renege on its obligations; several such doubts are fueling the opposition. The opposers say that Vedanta plans to loot Orissa in the name of the university. But what is the basis of these doubts and it is not clear how does one loot by establishing a university. This project does not need mines or forests; the government does not need to spend a paisa. It only needs to help in providing land where 15000 crores is aimed to be invested to establish a world class university. Eminent educationalists says that such opportunities come once in 100 or 200 years. If such small issues are used to throw away this opportunity then Orissa’s higher education aim for the next century will definitely become unsure. In reality, states like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are eying the Vedanta University project. The land acquisition problem in Orissa has resulted in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh sending proposals to Vedanta. But planning and design of the project has progressed so far that Vedanta does not want to leave Orissa. Vedanta Chief Anil Agarwal has given $1 Billion (Rs 5000 crores) of his own money to the project and has mentioned this to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The main built-up area of the university will be spread across 2000 acres. The Ayres St. Gross company of the US has designed the master plan of this university. This company has developed the building design for many top universities of the world. Vedanta has decided to establish a medical college and hospital in the first phase.  This college and hospital to be built in 34 acres has been designed by the world famous firm  Perkins and Will. The medical college program will be designed and its equipments will be supplied by Jensen partners. The curriculum of the various colleges of the university and the kind of faculty to hire for such programs have been discussed in conferences organized by Vedanta in Paris and Washington. After all these to doubt that Vedanta will cheat and go away is baseless. Eminent NRO professor CRB says that losing Vedanta will be like kicking a humongous wealth. With IIT, NISER and AIIMS being established Bhubaneswar, if Vedanta University is established it will make the Puri-Bhubaneswar-Cuttack area an heaven for high quality higher education and Orissa’s place in the world will rise significantly. No other industrialist in Orissa has spent that much money on education. If Vedanta wants to spend 15000 crores, why should we throw it away? The top educational institutions in India, the IITs and the IIMs rank 300-400 in the world. Vedanta aims to be in the top 50. He says, if that happnes Orissa will be among the tops in the country. The government should take meausers to resolve the issues related to land acquisition in a war footing. For such a university the sacrifice of the local people should be adequately respected and compensated by the government, he adds.

7 comments December 6th, 2008 Author : Chitta Baral