Dear Alumni,
Does not matter where you are, I exhort you to celebrate the INDEPENDENCE DAY of our Alma Mater UCE, Burla. As I am writing this mail, the Orissa University of Technology (OUT) Bill is being debated in the House of Assembly of Orissa. Cutting across party line, everybody is overwhelmingly supporting this. In a matter of hour from now, (1) UCE, Burla loses its identity to a new-born Orissa University of Technology (2) The new-born institute is a Unitary State University whose state funding shall continue while UGC / AICTE shall start coming in; a University where Principal gives way to a Vice Chancellor assisted by a Registrar, a Comptroller of Finance and a Dean of Students Welfare; a University which will have its own Governing Body (3) This University goes beyond the jurisdiction of BPUT Act, 2002.
This is precisely for the last reasons, I called today her Independence Day. As the East India Company had to wind up its baggages after ruling India for 200 years, BPUT loses its control over an independent Orissa University of Technology.
Believe me, and you must do so, everybody in the Secretariat says that they have never seen a bill coming up so fast and so furiously. Shower your thanks on the Hon’ble Chief Minister. Uncharacteristically, he has called for our file to his home to sign it. Because he followed the University Bill so keenly, rest of the state machinaries were on their toes. Place your thanks to Minister Jay Narayan Misra who fought for us since last four years and still advocating it inside the Assembly selflessly. Give your thanks to Industry Minister Sri Biswa Bhusan Harichandan who kept his words. Give your thanks to Hon’ble Speaker who accomodated our bill. Give your thanks to ex-Industry Secretary Mr Aditya Prasad Padhy and present Industry Secretary Mr Ashok Mahadev Dalwai, Deputy Secretary of Finance Mr Das who have followed our files heart-out. Give your thanks to Mr Panda (Deputy Secretary- Industry), Mr Gouda (Deputy Secretary- Steel & Mines), and dozens of Guardians who did extra-ordinary helps. Touch the feets of the Senior Citizens of Sambalpur who rushed to Bhubaneswar with me to meet Chief Minister to plead for IIT status to UCE. Give your thanks to Dr Chitta Baral who inculcated in our minds the idea of State University rather than a Deemed University. But, mere thanks is not enough, just bow down to the students – especially duo called Biswajit Parida & Sharda Nayak, who have been camping in Bhubaneswar sacrificing their examinations.
Future is in our hands. The formative years of the new University requires leadership from a visionary and dynamic Vice Chancellor. Nothing can be more crucial than having a good VC. University needs a VC who unshackles the age-old psyche of the faculties & other staffs, brings new ideas & visions to this University of twenty-first century, designs an action plan to place this University alongside the NITs & IITs, and is ruthless in implementing the action plan.
Yes, we "Did It". And yet, our task is far from finished. The Government Gazzette must come within a fortnight. We have to get the 350 acres of free land which Government has agreed to give. We have to ensure that University becomes 12 (B) elgible in shortest span of time which earns him "eligible for funding" tag. We have to build the e-Learning Centre and other infrastructures which we embarked upon a year back. We have to garner International collaboration, Students exchange program with foreign Universities, expand the University-Industry tie-ups. We must make our University "Orissa’s answer to NITs & IITs".
Well, we are meeting shortly. Possibly on February 8 (Sunday) 2009 when we will lay the FOUNDATION DAY of the new-born University and bid GOLDEN JUBILEE VALEDICTION to 50-year old alma mater UCE, Burla. I promise, that will a day worth remembering.
As I am finishing the mail on an excited note, Minister Mr Biswa Bhusan, Opposition Leader Mr Narsimha Mishra, Mr Satya Bhusan Mishra, Mr Bimbadra Kuanra, Mr Ranendra Pratap Swain have already finished their talks. The mood is extremely upbeat inside Assembly. Discussions have continued for an hour now. I shall give detailed update tomorrow.
And, I am already flying. My feets are surely above ground. I have to buy a good drink. You will agree, I deserved one.
A proud UCEian,
Ashesh Padhy
December 17th, 2008
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 11th 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.
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SI.No.
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Name of the State
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Name of the City
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1
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Andhra Pradesh
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Visakhapatnam
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2
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Assam
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Guwahati
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3
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Bihar
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Patna
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4
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Gujarat
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Gandhinagar
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|
5
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Karnataka
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Mysore
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6
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Kerala
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Kochi
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7
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Madhya Pradesh
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Bhopal
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8
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Maharashtra
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Pune
|
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9
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Orissa
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Bhubaneswar
|
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10
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Punjab
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Amritsar
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11
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Rajasthan
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Jaipur
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12
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Tamil Nadu
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Coimbatore
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13
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Uttar Pradesh
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Greater Noida
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14
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West Bengal
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Kolkata
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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.
December 16th, 2008
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.
December 15th, 2008
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.”
December 14th, 2008
(The following is compiled from various sources including wikipedia.)
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IISER Kolkata
Director: Prof. Sushanta Dattagupta, Physics
- Ph.D. (Physics), Brookhaven National Laboratory, St. John’s University, New York, 1973
- M.Sc. (Physics), Calcutta University, 1967
- B.Sc.(Physics Honours), Calcutta University, 1965
- Lecturer in Physics, Presidency College, Kolkata (1968-69)
- Post-Doctoral Fellow, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh (1973-75) & Senior Research Associate, University of Alberta (1975-76)
- Scientific Officer, Materials Science Laboratory, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam (1976-81)
- Reader, School of Physics, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad (1981-86)
- Professor, School of Physical Sciences, JNU, New Delhi (1986-99)
- Dean, School of Physical Sciences, JNU, New Delhi (1987-89 & 1993-95)
- Director, S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Salt Lake, Kolkata (8 Feb. 1999 to 8 Apr, 2005)
- Director, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata (2006 -)
- Honorary Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (2003 – )
- Honorary Professor, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (2005 – )
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- Elected Fellow, Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore (1992)
- Elected Fellow, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi (1994)
- Elected Fellow, The National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad (1995)
- Elected Fellow, The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World, (TWAS) (1999)
- Elected Fellow, West Bengal Academy of Science & Technology (2000)
- Young Scientist Medal, Indian National Science Academy (1977)
- Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, tenured at the Institute for Solid State Physics, Juelich, Germany
(1984, May-July 1985, December 1987, January-June 1997, 2002 and 2003)
- Research Fellow, Indian National Science Academy (1987-89)
- Associate, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy (1985-91)
- Senior Associate, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy (1992-1997)
- Visiting Associate, Darwin College, Cambridge University (May-July 1993)
- Bibharani Devi Prize of Calcutta University (2002)
- DAE Raja Ramanna Award of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (2002)
- Sisir Kumar Mitra Medal and Lecture of the Indian Science News Association (2004)
- Distinguished Lecturership Award for 2005-2006, Materials Research Society of India
- Swamy Atulananda Endowment Award Lecture, Ramakrishna Mission (2005)
- L.A. Meera Memorial Lecture (2005)
- Meghnad Saha Memorial Award of the National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad (2005)
- C.V. Raman Birth Centenary Award, 93rd Indian National Science Congress (2006) [ Photograph ]
- Visiting Fellow under the Distinguished Scientist Visitors’ Programme of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel (2007-2008)
- J. C. Bose Fellowship of the Department of Science & Technology, India (2006-2010)
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IISER Pune
Director: Prof. K. N. Ganesh, Chemistry
1967-1972 B.Sc and M.Sc (Bangalore University)
1972-1977, Ph.D (Delhi University)
1977-1980, Ph.D (Cambridge University, UK)
1981-1987, Scientist, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad 1987-2006, Scientist, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune
1994-2006, Head, Division of Organic Chemistry (Synthesis), NCL, Pune ()
Since July 2006, Professor and Director, IISER Pune
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1985: Science Academy Medal for Young Scientists, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi.
1993: Fellow, Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore
1998: CSIR Bhatnagar Award in Chemical Sciences
1999: Fellow, Indian National Science Academy, Delhi
2004: Silver Medal, Chemical Research Society of India, Bangalore
2005: TWAS Prize in Chemical Sciences
2005: Elected Secretary, Biomolecular Chemistry Division, Sub Committee, IUPAC
2006: JC Bose Fellowship, Department of Science and Technology, India
2006: Fellow, Academy of Sciences for Developing World (TWAS), Trieste
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IISER Mohali
Director: Prof. N. Sathyamurthy, Chemistry
He completed his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from Annamalai University. Sathyamurthy moved to the United states to where he obtained his Ph.D degree at Oklahoma University in 1975. He further carried out postdoctoral research in nobel laurate J.C.Polanyi’s lab. After that Sathyamurthy joined Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur as a lecturer in 1978. Sathyamurthy became professor in 1985.
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Fellow, Third World Academy of Sciences, Trieste, Italy 2005 |
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IISER Bhopal
Director: Prof. Vinod K. Singh, Chemistry
B.Sc. 1978 D.A.V College, Azamgarh
M.Sc. 1980 Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Ph.D. 1986 M. S. University Baroda (Supervisor:Dr. Sukh Dev)
(Malti-Chem Research Centre, Nandesari)
Post doctoral:
* University of British Columbia, Canada 1986 – 1987(Advisor: Professor J. P. Kutney)
* Harvard University, U.S.A 1987-1990 (Advisor: Professor E. J. Corey, Nobel Laureate)
Director SPA Bhopal
06.10.08 – present
Umnag Gupta Chair Professor
IIT Kanpur
June 1, 2007 – present
Professor
IIT Kanpur
September 2001 – to-date
Associate Professor
IIT Kanpur
May 1997 – September 2001
Assistant Professor
IIT Kanpur
December 1990 – May 1997
Senior Scientist
Neurogen, USA
March – December, 1990
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* Umang Gupta Chair Professorship (June 1, 2007 – to-date)
* Vigyan Ratna Award of U.P. (2006-2007)
* Ramanna Fellowship (2006)
* Bhagyatara Award (2006)
* Fellow, Indian Academy of Sciences (2005)
* Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (2004)
* Prof. R.D. Desai 80th Birthday Commemoration Award (2004)
* Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, India (2004)
* CRSI Bronze Medal (2003)
* Rajib Goyal Prize (2002)
* Prof. N. S. Narsimhan Endowment Award (2002)
* Swarnajayanti Fellowship Award (1998) |
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IISER Tiruvanthapuram
Director: Prof. E. D Jemmis, Chemistry
Eluvathingal D. Jemmis was born in Chevoor, Kerala and educated at the village school. After obtaining B.Sc. (University of Calicut; University College, Trivandrum and St. Thomas College, Thrissur) and M.Sc. ( Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur) Jemmis moved to Princeton University in 1973 to work with Prof. Paul von Rague Schleyer. During the formal Princeton years moving along with his supervisor, Jemmis spent a semester at the University of Munich (Fall, 1974) and four semesters at the University of Erlangen-Nuernberg (1976-77). After several collaborative projects with his supervisor and Professors Lee Allen and John Pople, a Ph.D. degree was received from Princeton in 1978. A two year postdoc at Cornell University (Prof. Roald Hoffmann) followed. In 1980 Jemmis joined the then fledgling School of Chemistry,University of Hyderabad where he became a Professor in 1990. After 25 years in Hyderabad, Dr. Jemmis accepted an invitation from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and joined the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry of IISc.
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Jemmis was elected Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore (1992), the Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi (1998), the National Academy of Sciences, India, Allahabad (2003) and the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World, Trieste, Italy (2004) and received many awards and honours (see biodata for details) including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR, New Delhi (1994). Dr. Jemmis was awarded the J. C. Bose National Fellowship of the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, in 2006. |
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NISER Bhubaneswar
Director: Prof. T. K. Chandrashekar, Chemistry
B.Sc. : 1976, Mysore University, Karnataka
M.Sc. : 1978 Mysore University, Karnataka
Ph.D. : 1982 Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (Supervisor: Prof. V. Krishnan)
Post-Doctoral : University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA 1982-1984
Res. Associate : Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA 1984-1986
1986 July – 1987 March Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, I.I.T.Kanpur
* 1987 April – 1991 February Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, I.I.T. Kanpur
* 1991 March – 1995 November Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, I.I.T.Kanpur
* 1995 November – 2003 Nov Professor, Department of Chemistry, I.I.T. Kanpur
* 2003 December onwards Director, RRL, Trivandrum
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1 McKnight Fellowship, Michigan, USA, 1984 – 1986
2 Homi Bhabha Award for Excellence in Research – 1993
3 Alexander Von Humboldt Fellowship: 1993 – 1994
4 Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad – 1996
5 Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore – 1999
6 CRSI Bronze Medal for Significant Contributions in Chemistry – 2000
7 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in Chemical Sciences for the year – 2001
8 Fellow of Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi – 2002
9 Professor P. Ray Memorial Award, Indian Chemical Society, Kolkata – 2002
10 Chemito Award – 2003
11 J.C.Bose Fellowship for the year – 2006
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December 11th, 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.
December 11th, 2008
Medinipur (closer to Balasore/Mayurbhanj)
Kharagpur (closer to Balasore/Mayurbhanj)
Howrah/Kolkata (closer to Balasore/Mayurbhanj)
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Indian Statistical Institute
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Indian Institute of Management
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Calcutta University
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Jadavpur University
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Bengal Engineering College (upgraded to be IIEST)
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Rabindra Bharati University
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West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences
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Kolkata National Medical College
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Medical College Kolkata
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RG Kar Medical College
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Nilratan Sirkar Medical College
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(plan on upgrading a state medical college to AIIMS like institution)
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Indian Institute of Science Education and Research
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World Class Central University (National University)
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Ghanikant Choudhury Engineering Science and Technology
Ranchi (closer to Sundergarh/Keonjhar)
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Birla Institute of Technology
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Bisra Agriculture University
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Ranchi University
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Central University
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Indian Institute of Management
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Rajendra Medical College
Jamsedpur (closer to Sundergarh/Keonjhar)
Vishakhapatnam (closer to Rayagada/Koraput/Gajpati/Malkangiri)
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Andhra University
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Andhra Medical College (under Andhra University)
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Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (private)
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Andhra Engineering College under Andhra University (upgraded to be IIEST)
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World Class Central University (National University)
Jagadalpur (closer to Koraput/Malkangiri)
Raipur (closer to Nabarangpur/Kalahandi/Nuapada/Balangir)
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Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University
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Indira Gandhi Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya
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Hidayatullah National Law University
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Pandit Sunder Lal Sharma Open University
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Pandit JNM Medical College
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Indira Kala Snageet Viswa Vidyalay
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National Institute of Technology
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Indian Institute of Management
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AIIMS like institution
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IIIT (proposed by NTPC and Central Government)
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Medical University (newly proposed by state Government)
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Kalinga University (private, newly proposed)
Bhilai (closer to Nabarangpur/Kalahandi/Nuapada/Balangir)
Durg (closer to Nabarangpur/Kalahandi/Nuapada/Balangir)
Note: Naya Raipur-Raipur-Bhilai-Durg can be a Metro area
Bilaspur (closer to Bargarh/Sambalpur/Jharsuguda)
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Guru Ghsidas University (up graded to Central University)
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Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Science (under Guru Ghasidas Univ)
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Engineering College (under Guru Ghasidas Univ)
*Fake universities declared by UGC in Chhattisgarh are not counted.
December 10th, 2008
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 December 9th, 2008
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
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.
December 6th, 2008
See details at its web page http://www.aiph.ac.in/. See also this press release.
December 6th, 2008
Following is from the architect’s brief.
Continue Reading December 4th, 2008
Following is from http://www.mohfw.nic.in/EoI_FOR_PC.htm.
Continue Reading December 4th, 2008
Following is from http://www.mohfw.nic.in/PMR.htm.
Continue Reading December 4th, 2008
Going through the NISER call for tenders for providing consultancy for the academic and residential townships, available at http://www.dcsem.gov.in/Page/Tender.htm, I have the following suggestions to the advisory specs mentioned in that document.
1. The whole campus should be universally accessible. (For too long public spaces are designed in India without taking into account people with disabilities.)
2. Research labs in NISER should have the space to accommodate all students in the 4th and 5th year of their integrated M.Sc program. In other words, when students are in their 4th and 5th year they should be required to be part of a research lab, and thus the research labs should have space to accommodate them.
3. Instead of just a cafeteria, most US universities have a "Student Union" which has multiple eating places, bank (with ATM), post office, book store, entertainment options (such as chess, pool, etc.), etc. Some even have a movie theater. The student union should be a one stop place where students (and faculty) can not only eat but also transact other necessary businesses.
4. There should be plan for designing the landscape of the campus as a combination of a botanical garden (with trees labeled with their botanical name and their place of origin) and science based sculptures. Local industries may be approached for sponsoring part of this.
5. Finally the whole design should be such that there is room to expand. Otherwise 20-30 yrs down the road, NISER will suffer the same problem that IISc is facing now in terms of lack of room to grow.
December 3rd, 2008
(Following is from http://www.dcsem.gov.in/page/pcdtbrp3.pdf)
RESIDENTIAL TOWNSHIP
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SN
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Description
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Area per Unit
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Units consid ered
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TotalArea Sq.m.
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(A) HOSTEL Complex
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|
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1
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Double occupancy rooms with common toilet (600 students)
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40
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300
|
12000.00
|
|
2
|
Single occupancy common toilet
|
22
|
400
|
8800.00
|
|
3
|
Single occupancy common toilet -Phd
|
22
|
300
|
6600.00
|
|
4
|
Single occupancy attached toilet Phd
|
25
|
600
|
15000
|
|
5
|
Post doc staff
|
36
|
150
|
5400
|
|
|
|
47800.00 sq.m.
|
|
|
(B) Residential Accomodation for Faculty/Staff
|
|
|
(i)
|
Director E3
|
350
|
1
|
350.00
|
|
()
|
E1 (deans)
|
255.73
|
4
|
1022.32
|
|
()
|
E (prof/senior-prof/registrar)
|
189.61
|
72
|
13652.00
|
|
(iv)
|
D (asstt.prof./seniornon-teaching sta)
|
94.27
|
144
|
13574.00
|
|
(v)
|
C
|
67.17
|
75
|
5038.00
|
|
(vi)
|
B
|
55.04
|
75
|
4128.00
|
|
(v)
|
A
|
44.37
|
75
|
3328.00
|
|
(v)
|
Flatlets (transit camp)
|
36.00
|
45
|
1620.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
42712.32 sq.m.
|
|
|
(C) OTHER AM ENITIES
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Day care centre
|
|
|
1500.00
|
|
2
|
Primary School
|
|
|
860.00
|
|
3
|
Higher secondary
|
|
|
2200.00
|
|
4
|
Hospital 20 bed
|
|
|
2500.00
|
|
5
|
Shopping
|
|
|
840.00
|
|
6
|
Community Centre
|
|
|
500.00
|
|
7
|
Guest House
|
|
|
3000.00
|
|
|
Total Residential As per Report 102000.00 sq.m.
|
101912.32 sq.m
|
December 3rd, 2008
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