Ever since the central government's announcement about an IIT in Karnataka was made, the politicians have been taking least interest in setting the ball rolling. So taking the onus to themselves, a host of well known educationists, ex professors at the IIT and other engineers came together on Tuesday to draw a roadmap to make IIT Karnataka (namma IIT) the best engineering college in the country.
The former IIT Delhi professor, SS Murthy came up with the suggestion that the site for the IIT must be chosen keeping in mind the cosmopolitan ambience necessary for the institute so that it attracts talent from all parts of the country. Also, for ease of connectivity, the site must not be father than a 2 hour ride from the airport. Speaking on the seminar on 'IIT Karnataka - optimal location and guidelines towards making it world class', he said "If we don't establish the IIT in such a place, then there'll be interference from babus (politicians) wanting to help locals get jobs in the institution,"
He mentioned that while 11 IITs are in the capital cities, 5 are located nearby the capitals. The remaining ones are suffering from lack of resources. To meet the demand of hosting an IIT by different cities, the Prof suggested that one main IIT must be built in the main city whereas 2 sub centres of the premier institute must also be opened in other cities. He said that "This concept is followed in US universities; Uttar Pradesh itself has two IITs,"
Also present at the seminar was BVA Rao, former professor at the IIT Madras. He said that "The first five IITs took help from foreign countries. Namma IIT should be set up without their help. If we bring foreign faculties again, it'll be like allowing foreign varsities to function from our soil,"
He further added that the major objective of the new IITs must be to focus on industrial research.
Tags: Iit
Namma Iit
Iit Bengaluru
Bva Rao
Iit Karnataka
Ss Murthy
Educationists