Arjun Singh lays foundation stone of IIT Punjab 0 comments
Ropar (Punjab): Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister, Arjun Singh, laid the foundation stone of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Ropar (Punjab) today.
On this occasion, the HRD Minister said, "IITs are our national pride and owe their existence to the scientific temper and disposition of our first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Making India the knowledge hub of the world was a cherished dream of Pt. Nehru."
The IIT at Ropar is part of the 8 new IITs that have been established in the country by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) during the XI Plan.
The Government of Punjab has offered 513 acres of land at Ropar, which is about 40 kms from Chandigarh and has excellent road and railway connectivity.
IIT Ropar is currently being mentored by IIT Delhi.
Three engineering disciplines have been started, namely Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from the 2008-09 academic session.
The intake of students this year was about 40 in each of these disciplines. However, the classes from the ensuing academic session 2009-10 will be conducted from the temporary campus being setup at Women's Polytechnic, Ropar and as soon as the buildings of the campus are ready, the classes will be moved to the new campus.
"I am happy that Punjab is getting its due share. It has already got the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) at Mohali, National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training & Research, Chandigarh and Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Sangrur", Arjun Singh said.
He also said, "The MHRD has decided, in this plan period, to have in the State, one Central University, one National University, assistance for setting up seven Polytechnics in those districts which currently do not have a Government Polytechnic and also assistance for establishing 13 degree colleges having GER lower than the national average."
Posted by Sakina Khatoon
