Odisha HRD

Bihar and Andhra Pradesh IITs to start classes in temporary locations in 2008?

Following are excerpts from a report in Hindustan Times.

Bihar and Andhra Pradesh have got an edge over Rajasthan. Both states will get IITs of their own from the next academic year.

The HRD Ministry has informed Bihar and Andhra Pradesh that admissions to the two new IITs will start in temporary campuses, while the ministry sets up new campuses.

The new campus will be built around 100 kilometres from Patna in Bihar and Isnapur in Medak district of Andhra Pradesh. The campuses will be built in an area of 500-600 acres at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore.

In a letter to the chief secretaries of the two state governments, the HRD ministry has asked for makeshift campuses so that enrolment of students can start.

“Only a few students for limited disciplines will be admitted in the first year and temporary campuses will be linked to an existing IIT,” a ministry official said.

1 comment January 27th, 2008

Arjun Singh on Devious mode: Tathya.in

Following is  from http://tathya.in/.

It has been proved time and again that Arjun Singh has no love for Orissa.

The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister has always been unkind to the state, which is lagging behind on education front among other states.

And he is nicely talking to Naveen Patnaik and made him feel that the Centre is all out for Orissa to dole out largesse.

Chief Minister Mr.Patnaik and HRD Minister Mr.Singh had a meeting on 24 January at New Delhi.

Mark the words of Mr.Singh:

Orissa had a very good case for setting up a Central University in the KBK region.

There are strong possibilities of setting up of an IIT or IIM in Orissa in view of industrial growth.

Chief Minister returned happy and took no time to issue the Press Release.

But insiders in the MHRD and educationists are reading between the lines.

There are two types of Central Universities (CU).

One is regular CU of which 16 are to be set up in 11th plan with an investment of Rs.300 crore each.

Another World Class Central University (WCCU) of which 14 are to be established during next 5 years with an investment of Rs.1000 crore each.

Mr.Singh is hinting towards the regular CU in KBK with an investment of Rs.300 crore.

But Orissa deserves a WCCU in coastal Orissa and CU in KBK or vice versa as the level of investment in higher education in Orissa is much below than the other major states like Maharastra and Madhya Pradesh.

Similarly Mr.Singh said Orissa deserves an IIT or IIM.

But the state is demanding IIT, IIM and IIIT for last so many years and the Minister HRD is playing hide and sick game over the establishment of these institutions.

In order to establish an IIT, MHRD spends Rs.1000 crore and for an IIM it provides Rs.150-200 crore.

To be very frank, Mr.Singh is fooling the state so far setting up the higher institutions of learning in the state, alleged a senior mandarin.

And the pathetic part of the story is we believe him, which will end up in receiving pea nuts in the name of largesse of Centre, cautioned … Professor Chitta Baral of Arizona State University.

So the State Government must come out with Vision Document for the Centres of Higher Learning including a WCCU, Cu-KBK, IIT, IIM and IIIT in the state, said Dhirendra Kar, a leading NRO.

These demands to be harped time and again with the UPA Government till it is achieved, said he.

January 25th, 2008

Engineering Lectures from IITs and IISc in YouTube.

The link is http://www.youtube.com/profile_play_list?user=nptelhrd.

(Thanks to Abi for the pointer.)

January 25th, 2008

Orissa govt’s press release on the CM meeting the HRD minister; CM’s earlier letter to the PM

Following is from http://rc.orissa.gov.in/index3.asp?linkid=30&sublinkid=320.

Shri Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Orissa met the Union Minister, Human Resource Development Shri Arjun Singh today and requested for setting up of a Greenfield IIT in Orissa during the 11th Five Year Plan period. Since Orissa is on the verge of rapid industrial upsurge not only in the industrial sector but also in technical education sector, the state provides enormous potential for research and 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. Further, the Chief Minister urged the Union Minister, Human Resource Development for establishment of a Greenfield Indian Institute of Management in Orissa. Given the current industrial boom in Orissa, it is necessary to bring in professional culture and management. The IIT shall be the incubation centre for quality managerial professionals required for the various sectors of the economy.

The Chief Minister also demanded for setting up of a Central University in the KBK region which could educate the youth in traditional and modern disciplines. Since the quality of human resource holds the key to the development of any region, there is an urgent need to set up a top class multi-disciplinary Central University in the KBK Region covering disciplines such as basic sciences, humanities, law, medicine, agriculture, horticulture etc. Besides, the Central University in KBK would also indirectly help in combating left wing extremism in the region.

The Union Minister, HRD indicated that Orissa has a very good case for setting up of a Central University in the KBK region. He added that there is a strong possibility of setting up of an IIT / IIM at Orissa because of the unprecedented industrial growth witnessed by the State. He indicated that decision in this regard will be taken by the Union Government soon.

Comments: There is a big difference between an IIT and an IIM in terms of investment and budgets.

The 7 IITs had a budget of 683.5 crores in 2006-07 and a budget of 1553.70 crores (taking into account the expansion plan) for 2007-08 while the 6 IIMs had a budget of 74 crores in 2006-07 and a budget of 144 crores for 2007-08.

The new IITs are to be made at a cost of 1000 crores each (over a period of 5-7 years) while each IIM will cost 100-150 crore. ( http://www.livemint.com/Articles/2007/09/03002345/IIMK8217s-past-still-point.html)

So we must watch out and make sure that Mr. Arjun Singh and the UPA govt. at the center does not try to cheat Orissa by giving only an IIM.

The state’s first demand is an IIT and only then an IIM. The CM has categorically stated that in his last letter to the PM. (See below)

If Orissa is given only one of them then it is an IIT that has to be given. Otherwise, it will be the UPA govt. and Arjun Singh cheating Orissa.

(Prior to this the CM also wrote to PM in May 2007 and January 31st 2007. The CM also met Arjun Singh on October 24 2005 (press release) on KBK Central University, on September 29 2006 on IIT Kharagpur branch campus and around May 16th 2007 on a greenfield IIT. So this was hist 4th meeting with Arjun Singh on IIT and KBK Central University issues.)

January 24th, 2008

Fakir Mohan University, Balasore has “funded by UGC” tag

It received this tag in 2005. Following is from http://www.fmuniversity.org/index.htm.

The Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Balasore, Orissa was established by the Govt. of Orissa under Section 32 of the Orissa University Act, 1989(Act 5 of 1989)and it was notified vide the Government’s Notification No. 973 dated 3rd July, 1999. The University has also been duly recognized by the UGC Under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act vide the Notification No.F–9–1/2000 (CPP–I) dated 11 Feb.2000 and it is declared eligible to receive Central Financial assistance under sec 12(B) of the UGC Act 1956 vide notification No.F.9-1/2000(CPP-1)dtd-23rd Dec-2005.It has also been accredited by the Association of Indian Universities.

I am told North Orissa University in Baripada also has received this tag. I could not find any documentation of that (in the Internet) though.

2 comments January 24th, 2008

CM meets HRD Minister Arjun Singh on IIT, IIM and KBK Central University

Update: Also covered in other papers (Statesman, Pioneeer, New Indian Express, Pragativadi, etc.) and sites such as odisha.in.

The first report has come out in Kalinga Times. Following is an excerpt.

Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh on Wednesday assured that the Centre would soon take a decision on Orissa government’s demand for the setting up higher institutions of learning in the State.

Orissa had a very good case for setting up of a Central University in the KBK region, Singh indicated when Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik called on him in New Delhi.

Singh also said that there was a strong possibility of setting up of an IIT/IIM in Orissa in view of the industrial growth being witnessed in the State, according to an official release.

Patnaik demanded for the setting up of an IIT, an IIM and a multi-disciplinary Central university in the KBK region in view of the current industrial boom in the State. An IIT should be established in the State during the 11th Five Year Plan period, he said.

Samaja’ coverage on this is as follows:

January 23rd, 2008

Ravenshaw to have its own FM radio

Following is an excerpt from a report in New Indian Express.

CUTTACK: ‘Good morningggg! Cuttack.

This is 96.0 RavenshawRadio’, would exhort a cheerful, invigorating voice gently nudging denizens out of their sleep – in a few months time.

The first campus radio of the State has begun to take shape at the Ravenshaw University and would go on air before the start of the next academic session.

Basically, a campus radio with community content, the FM service would have a coverage area from 7 to 10 km reaching out to the entire population of the Millennium City.

The radio station would be a fully student-run entity, under supervision of faculty members, broadcasting programmes not confined to education only but on diverse topics related to the community and Cuttack City. ‘It would be essentially an infotainment bouquet.

The students would be doing programmes on studies, campus news as well as other social issues, information on developments and happenings in the city, cultural events along with transmitting entertainment content like music. The students would conceptualise, produce the content and host, jockey, report and newsread,’ said Vice-Chancellor Devdas Chotray.

The FM Facility has already obtained the licences from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the project installation would be executed by Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL). Joint General Manager of BECIL J P Nathani and his team are visiting the university on Wednesday in this connection.

The premier college of Orissa would join a few select institutions of the country like Anna University of Chennai, University of Pune, Goa University, IGNOU, Jamia Millia University and Karnataka State Open University in having their own FM radio service. …

9 comments January 23rd, 2008

Educational development Index: PIB

The following are excerpts from http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=34807.

The EDI is developed keeping in mind four broad parameters of access, infrastructure, teacher and outcomes related indicators. The index takes into account 23 variables for calculating EDI. These variables are for Access (Percentage of habitations not Served, Availability of Schools per 1000 Population and Ratio of Primary to Upper Primary Schools/Sections), Infrastructure (Average Student-Classroom Ratio, School with Student-Classroom Ratio greater > 60, School without Drinking Water Facilities, School with Boy’s Toilet, School with Girl’s Toilet), Teachers( (Percentage of Female Teachers, Pupil-Teacher Ratio, School with Pupil Teacher Ratio > 60, Single- Teacher Schools (in schools with more than 15 students), Percentage of Schools with 3 or less Teachers, Teachers without Professional Qualification), Outcomes (Gross Enrolment Ratio – Overall, Scheduled Castes : Gross Enrolment Ratio, Scheduled Tribes: Gross Enrolment Ratio, Gender Parity Index in Enrolment, Repetition Rate, Drop-out Rate, Ratio of Exit class over Class 1 Enrolment (Primary stage only), Percentage of Passed Children to Total Enrolment, Percentage of Appeared Children passing with 60 per cent and above Marks).

January 22nd, 2008

Prof. Srikant Patnaik, formerly of UCE Burla and Fakir Mohan University starts a management college: ad in Samaja

Update: The institute home page is at http://www.interscience.in/.

January 22nd, 2008

IIT Chennai to help science education in Schools: Lesson for Orissa

The following is an excerpt from an article in Hindu. I hope some schools in Orissa will take similar steps.

… IIT Chennai, one of India’s foremost engineering college has now tied up with number of schools to enhance high school science education in the country.

"The way science is taught in our schools leaves much to be desired. Our children get programmed to answer questions in examinations without being able to relate the concepts to the real world around us. There is too much focus on scoring marks than on understanding, " Dr. T S Natrajan of IIT-Chennai told PTI.

Though IIT has introduced a number of initiatives like the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) to enhance the quality of engineering education in the country by developing curriculum based video and web courses, Natrajan points out that new ‘Science Enrichment Program’ is first direct initiative of the institute for betterment of school education.

"This is my personal initiative and the institution is backing me completely for this. I wonder what kind of science is taught in the schools when students have to go for coaching classes in preparation for specialised entrances exams," he says.

Under the new programme, IIT Chennai will provide consultancy and develop Science Enrichment Program for classes Five to Twelve in Physics and Chemistry. This will include planning and developing problem based worksheets and activities which will make science fun and easy for children.

It also includes training the science teachers to improve their skills as well as understanding using some of the best materials and getting advice from eminent professors from IIT.

The program aims to develop Science Enrichment Materials which would include designing hands-on and computer based activities in Physics and Chemistry based on the CBSE syllabus from class 5 to 12 for implementation in the classrooms.

January 22nd, 2008

Updates on NISER Bhubaneswar

During my visit to Bhubaneswar, I met various people involved with NISER. Following is a quick update.

• Apparently the cabinet approval of NISER had a condition that said "subject to finance ministry clearance." Apparently that clearance has not come yet and its delay is guessed to be  due to the difference between the IISER and NISER budget amounts. Its expected any day. But that clearance has some role in NISER not being able to hire a director and hire regular faculty. On the other hand DAE has its plate full with the atomic energy agreement and negotiation between India and US, so perhaps it is not moving at the speed as it should. I think Orissa government and people of Orissa should push DAE on this.
• The first batch just finished their first semester. I was given the impression that the professors are teaching very diligently, have made the syllabus quite tough and are driving the students quite hard.
• The land has not yet been handed over to NISER by the Orissa government. I am told there is no big problem but it is just moving slow. The NISER folks are a bit unhappy at this tardy pace because they would like the full campus to be built as soon as possible. I hope the ad means that there has been some movement, since I met them.
• Several new buildings have been made and are being made in IOP campus to accommodate NISER classes until its own campus is done. The construction of these buildings have been quite fast.
• Currently, in the absence of a director of NISER, the  director of IOP is in charge. The main persons helping him are Prof. Jnana Maharana, Prof. D. P. Mohapatra and Prof. P. C. Das. Prof. Das is in charge of the M.Sc integrated program. Prof. Mohapatra is making sure that the buildings are made in time, the labs are equipped in time, etc. so that the classes can go on in time.
• Following are some of the temporary teachers who are teaching the stduents.
  • Biology: Prof Rabi Nayak of IISc Bangalore is on leave from Bangalore and is the leading person. He has a new laboratory for his research and teaching at IOP. Other names that were mentioned to me were Prof. Anita Roy , Prof. K. M. Das and Prof. Chaini. I am told Prof. Santosh Kar will be teaching for a month in 2008 and some faculty from Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar will also teach.
  • Chemistry: Prof. Anadi Das (retired, Utkal) is in charge and is helped by Prof. Chandrasekhar Panda (retired Berhampur U, Ph.D IIT Kanpur) and Prof. M. Mohanty
  • Physics: Prof. N. Barik (formerly from Utkal University), Prof. Ansari (retired from IOP), Prof. Minaketan Panda (formerly at NEHU) and Professor Pathak (from IOP)
  • Mathematics: Prof. Padhee (formerly from Berhampur University, PhD IIT Kanpur) and Prof. P. C. Das.

January 22nd, 2008

Some progress on NISER land acquisition and transfer; Samaja ad for security agencies to guard the periphery

Update: See also http://www.iopb.res.in/niser/NISER-EOI-security.pdf.

January 21st, 2008

Instructor wanted ad in Samaja by OP Jindal Institute of Technology and Skills in Angul

1 comment January 20th, 2008

Rtapalli Vidyapitha: NRI funded free residential school for poor and meritorious students

See details about them at:

http://www.shraddha.org/
http://www.shraddha.org/RtaPics/Advertisement-08.pdf
http://www.shraddha.org/RtaPics/Brochure2008.pdf

For info call Rutpalli Vidyapitha at: 0674-2743063

The last date of application is February 5th and test is on 17th February, Sunday.

3 comments January 19th, 2008

Google India Women in Engineering Award

The following is from http://www.google.co.in/jobs/womeninengineering/award/index.html. (Thanks to Abi for the pointer.)

Google has one overarching mission: to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. With a user base in the millions, Google’s point of distinction is anticipating needs not yet articulated by our global audience, then meeting those needs with innovative products and services that set new standards.

Therefore, Google aspires to be an organization that reflects the globally diverse audience that our search engine and tools serve. We believe that, in addition to hiring the best talent, the diversity of perspectives, ideas and cultures leads to the creation of better products and services. This diversity of employees and partners serves as the foundation for us to better serve our diverse customers and stakeholders all over the world.

As part of Google’s ongoing commitment to encouraging women to excel in computing and technology, we are pleased to introduce The Google India “Women in Engineering” Award to recognize and reward deserving women students in Computer Science and related majors, and inspire them to become active participants and leaders in creating technology.

The awards are based on the candidates’ academic background and demonstrated leadership. A group of female undergraduate, graduate and PhD student finalists will be chosen from the applicant pool, and award recipients will receive an award of INR 75000 via cheque.

Other Links:

• Eligibility Criteria
• Apply Online
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Terms and Conditions
• Photo Album

January 18th, 2008

Vedanta University Campus among 2007 AIA Baltimore Design Award Winners and Jury Comments

The following is from http://www.aiabalt.com/0_committees/0_DesignAwards/DesignAwards.htm.

Vedanta University Master Plan –UNBUILT
Orissa, India
Ayers/Saint/Gross
Contact: Adam Gross, FAIA, 410.347.8500

“The scope and scale of this proposed university master plan is impressive. The conceptual thought to develop this complex program has been handled well. The design process makes it comprehensible. The unusual integration in India of the arts and humanities with science and engineering has been carefully planned with the use of radial and grid systems. It is well thought out and not contrived.”

January 15th, 2008