Odisha HRD

UCE Burla gets conditional nod to be made to a state university

Following is a report from someone who attended the meeting.

Yesterday we (students + alumni + faculty) had a satisfying meeting with CM. salient points –

(1) Ordinance shall be moved to amend BPUT Act to delist UCE as Constituent College of BPUT

(2) CM agreed to move an Act to convert UCE as an Unitary State University subjected to condition given below

(3) CM asked his officials to examine how much acres can be given to UCE

(4) CM said he will look into our claim for Rs 300 crore infrastructure fund which includes Central Funding of 1/3rd.

CM asked what are the benefits of State University. We talked about 12(B) grant from UGC. We talked about an independent Governing Body who can augment the courses/students/faculty/research. We gave examples of BESU & CUSAT.

 

This was contested by VC and Industry Secretary Mr Aditya Padhy. They said that –

(a) UGC fund is very small – may be to the tune of Rs 1 to 2 crore a year. 

(b) Guindy College is affiliated to Anna University, Pune Engg College is affiliated to Pune University and yet they are quality college. Why UCE wants University status, and resisting affilitaion to BPUT.

(c) Deemed University status is no inferior to State University as both get UGC grant against 12 (B) and get nearly same grant.

(d) Indian Institute of Science is Deemed University and yet the best institution.

(e) After Revensaw became University, the situation has not improved. They are still struggling for faculty & fund. VC said he is Revensaw’s Seante Member and knows the conditions better than all of us.

Though CM agreed our demand for State University, he asked us (as well Industry Secretary) to prepare a note with examples of other institutions as to how State University will help UCE to grow. Report should contain references to the growth of some Unitary State Universities (in addition to BESU & CUSAT) including Revensaw University. Report has to be submitted within a week.

6 comments September 25th, 2008

UCE Burla Students’ dharna reported in various newspapers

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

Students of University College of Engineering (UCE), Burla, launched their three day hunger strike from today staging silent sit-on dharna in front of the administrative building of the college.

The students are demanding Unitary University Status for the oldest engineering college of the State, on the lines of Ravenshaw University, transfer of 400 acres of government land adjacent to UCE campus, hike in annual grant to UCE to Rs 15 crore and special infrastructure development grant of Rs 100 crore spread over three years. The students had launched a stir in October demanding upgradation of UCE to IIT with support from the Alumni Association of the college and locals.

But with the State Government deciding to house the IIT at Jatni, they are now demanding declaring the college as an Unitary University.

The students had apprised the Chief Minister of their demand vide a petition on August 2 and set August 21 as deadline to fulfill the demand.

But with no communication from the office of the Chief Minister for a dialogue over the issue, they resorted to hunger strike. … A delegation of students will be leaving for Bhubaneswar and will try to get an audience with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Governor MC Bhandare.

7 comments August 24th, 2008

UCE Burla students write to CM to make it a unitary university

Following is the copy of the letter that was sent to me:

Sri Naveen Patanaik ji
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Orissa

Sub: State Govt’s response to our demand for “Unitary University” status to our college.

Respected Sir,
In our letter dated 2nd August, 2008, we had requested you to consider the followings:

1) Pass an Act in State Assembly to declare UCE as a “Unitary University” (like Revensaw Univ.)
2) Transfer the free Government land of 400 acers adjacent to UCE campus to UCE.
3) Hike the annual grant to UCE to Rs 15 crore.
4) Give a special “Infrastructure Development Grant” of Rs 100 crore to UCE spread over three years.

We painfully recall that in 2004, our college was the choice of State Government for becoming “IIT”. But, when center agreed to give “IIT”, it was shifted to Jatni. You have written MHRD for making UCE an “NIT”, but we see least possibility of this as the new NITs will go to the states which don’t have NIT now. Therefore, “Unitary University” is the only feasible route for upgrading UCE. We have sought an appointment with Hon’ble Chief Minister, but unfortunately we are not heard.

The students of UCE have never fought for their self. We never come out in support of any such strike by other BPUT  students demanding withdrawal of year-back system or so. Our fight is for the prestige and ‘swabhimaan’ of our college. If we are not assured of fulfillment of our legitimate demand by 21st of Aug,08. we will be constrained to take any step that may be required to fulfill it. We will be forced to come out to street and paralyze entire Sambalpur region including the Railways & National Highways. The people across the civic society, student unions of other institutes & political parties have already come forward to participate in our agitation. If this does not attract to notice , we will march to Bhubaneswar and ‘gherao’ the State Assembly and seek explanation from the representatives of people who will assemble there. Yet, we believe, such moments will not come; you will definitely fulfill our legitimate aspiration.
Warm regards,

Students, UCE, Burla

Copy to: Sri Jayanarayan Mishra, Hon’ble Minister of commerce & Transport
Sri Prasanna Acharaya, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Sambalpur Constituency
Sri Kishore Mohanty, Hon’ble Speaker, Orissa Assembly
Sri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Deogarh Constituency
Smt Pramila Bohidar,MP Rajya Sabha
Sri Sanatan Bishi,Hon’ble Health Minister
Sri Surender Lath, MP Rajya Sabha
The Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Northen Division, Sambalpur
The Collector & District Magistrate, Sambalpur
The Incharge, Police Station, Burla
Superintendent of Police, Sambalpur
Vice-Chancellor, BPUT
Industry Minister, Govt. of Orissa
Industry Secretary, Govt. Of Orissa
Principal, UCE Burla

—————————–

This is a just demand. When and if the students get a chance to meet the CM and/or the govt.officials they must request that UCE Burla must be molded in the model of CUSAT, BESU (both are state universities) and the plan in Maharastra and UP to have state funded universities at the level of an IIT. Besides the demand mentioned in the above letter, to make UCE Burla really a top institution some additional steps need to be taken. For example: 

• It should be allowed to hire faculty from all over India (not just from Orissa or Oriyas); and have the payscale of NITs and IITs.

• Its seats should be doubled but a significant percent (say 30% or perhaps 50%) should be open to all India admission either through AIEEE or IIT JEE.  Because of the doubling of the seats students of Orissa will not lose out.
• In other words, mold it like an NIT or IIT and it will one day be picked to get that level. (This is the same strategey that was done with, say, Institute of Physics, which was made like a central institute, and after some years, it was picked up by the central govt. Similarly, CUSAT takes students from all over India.)

1 comment August 22nd, 2008

UCE Burla has submitted its Deemed University application

Its listed in http://www.ugc.ac.in/notices/proposals18-7-08.pdf. Its proposal number  F. 9-41/2008-U.3(A) was received 9th July, 2008.

2 comments August 12th, 2008

UGC recommends 735 additional universities; actions that Orissa needs to take

Following is from a report in Economic Times.

To increase the enrolment rate in higher education, a UGC committee has suggested starting an additional 735 universities in the country during the 11th Plan ending 2012.

The UGC committee, comprising Prof Duraisami of Madras University and Prof Sudhansu Bhusan of National University of Education Planning and Administration, has said that more universities will be needed to increase gross enrolment rate — the percentage of youths in the age group of 18-24 years in higher education — to 15 per cent from the 10 per cent at present.

The committee, set up to suggest reforms on the affiliation system and monitoring of education in 11th plan, has worked out a formula of 20,000 students per university to achieve the target. As per this criteria, the requirement would be 735 universities in the country by 2012, the report said.

"We will study the report and make a final suggestion to the state governments for starting the new varsities," UGC Chairman Prof Sukhadeo Thorat said.

At present there are 388 universities in the country. The committee’s report assumes significance in view of the estimation of National Knowledge Commission last year, when it said that at least 1,500 universities are needed to make India a knowledge society.

The enrolment ratio in higher education is abysmal 10 per cent in India. It is less than eight per cent in states like Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Uttarakhand.

Orissa’s population is 36,706,920, while India’s population is 1,129,866,154. So Orissa’s population is 3.24% of India’s population. So if India’s universities need to increase to a total of 388+735 = 1123. Then Orissa’s share should be 3.24% of that, which is 36.4. Considering Orissa at less than 8% is behind the national average of 10% in terms of enrolment ratio, Orissa will need to have at least 45.5, or say 46 universities. (This is based on using the 8% number for Orissa. It is actually a little over 6 for Orissa. So another 10 may be needed. But for the 11th plan lets stick with the number 46.)

• The exisiting universities in Orissa are (13): Utkal, Sambalpur, Berhampur, NOU, FMU, OUAT, KIIT, SOS, Culture U, Ravenshaw, Sri Jagannath, NIT RKL, BPUT.
• The new universities that are under construction are (8): WCCU, KBK Central, Sri Sri U, Vedanta U, ICFAI, Jagadguru, National Law U, Orissa Open University
• Some institutes that are operating or under construction and that could become universities are (4): IIIT Bhubaneswar, IIT Bhubaneswar, NISER Bhubaneswar, AIIMS Bhubaneswar
• Some institutes that may be opened and become universities are (3) : IIIT Berhampur, BITS, NID
• Some colleges that have applied for deemed university status are (8): Krupajal, CEB, ASBM, Gunupur, Koustuv, Hi-Tech, CV Raman, UCE/OIT.
• So the state needs to make at least 10 more universities.
  • One should be made in each of the undivided 13 districts which do not have a university yet. The 13 undivided districts are: Puri, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Baleswar, Sambalpur, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Koraput, Phulbani, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Ganjam and Mayurbhanj. Among them the five districts of Balangir, Kalahandi (Bhawanipatna), Phulbani, Dhenkanal (Angul) and Kendujhar do not have a university nor any new one has yet been announced. So the state should establish 5 universities, one each in each of these undivided districts.
  • CET Bhubaneswar should be made to a university.
  • A comprehensive university should be established in Rourkela.
  • A Bhubaneswar-Cuttack metropolitan university consisting of all government colleges in the Bhubaneswar and Cuttack area should be made.
  • Berhampur medical college should be made to a unitary health university.
  • A health university encompassing all of Orissa, with possible head quarters in Naraj should be made.
• During the 12th and 13th plan at least the undivided districts which do not have two universities should get their second one (8): Those would be Baleswar (Bhadrakh), Balangir (Titlagarh), Kalahandi (Nabarangpur), Koraput (Malkangiri), Phulbani (Boudha), Dhenkanal, Kendujhar (Joda) and Mayurbhanj (Bangiriposi).
  • In addition universities may be established in major population centers without an university. These places include (5): Rayagada, Kalinganagar, Paradeep, Parlakhemundi, Jharsuguda,
  • And in districts which do not yet have a university (5): Bargarh, Deogarh, Kendrapada, Nayagarh, Nuapada, Sonepur.

If someone thinks that the above is too many, then they should compare the number of universities in California, whose population,at 36,553,215, is around the same as that of Orissa. However, Orissa’s area at 155,707 sq km is less than 40% of California’s area of 410,000 sq km.

9 comments August 10th, 2008

Other Engineering college clusters in Orissa

Berhampur:

1. Gandhi Institute of Industrial Technology Berhampur (GII) Pvt.
2. Kalam Institute of Technology, Berhampur Berhampur (KIB) Pvt.
3. National Institute of Science and Technology Palur Hills, Berhampur (NST) Pvt.
4. Roland Institute of Technology Surya Vihar, Berhampur (RIT) Pvt.
5. Sanjaya Memorial Institute of Technology Chandipadar, Berhampur (SMT) Pvt.
6. Vignan Institute of Technology & Management Berhampur (VIT) Pvt.
7. IIIT Berhampur (planned)
8. Parla Maharaj Engineering College (planned) 
9. Rahul Institute of Engineering & Technology Thatadapalli Village, Kotharsing (P.O.) Konisi Tahasil, Berhampur, Ganjam (D. T.) Orissa (planned)

Rourkela-Sundergarh:

1. Padmanava College of Engineering Rourkela (PCE) Pvt.
2. Purushottam Institute of Engineering & Technology Mandiakudar, Rourkela (PIE) Pvt.
3. Sundargarh Engineering College sundargarh (SUN) Pvt.
4. NIT Rourkela
5. Rourkela Institute of Technology At P.O. Kuarmunda, District : Sundergarh Pin 770039 Orissa (planned)

Balasore-Bhadrakh:

1. Balasore College of Engineering & Technology Balasore (BCE) Pvt.
2. Bhadrak Institute of Engineering & Technology Barapada, Bhadrak (BIT) Pvt.
3. Modern Engineering & Management Studies Balasore (MEM) Pvt.
4. Satyasai Engineering College Balasore (SAT) Pvt.
5. Vijayanjali Institute of Technology At Gadabhanga No. 4 P.O. Khantapara, District : Balasore 756043 Orissa (planned)

Gunupur-Rayagada:

1. Gandhi Institute of Engineering & Technology Gunupur (GIT) Pvt.
2. Gandhi Institute of Science and Technology Rayagada (GIR) Pvt.
3. Institute of Advanced Computer & Research Rayagada (IAC) Pvt.
4. Majhighariani Institute of Technology and Science Rayagada (MIT) Pvt.

Sambalpur-Baragarh-Jharsuguda:

1. Black Diamond College of Engineering & Technology Jharsuguda (BDC) Pvt.
2. Padmashree Krutartha Acharya College of Engineering Bargarh (PKA) Pvt.
3. University College of Engineering Burla (UCE) Govt.

Angul-Talcher:

1. Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology Sarang (IGT) Govt.
2. Adarsha College of Engineering At Saradhapur, P.O. Kumurisingha Dist : Angul, Pin 759122 Orissa (planned)

Koraput-Jeypore:

1. Gopal Krushna College of Engineering & Technology Jeypore (GCE) Pvt.
2. Samanta Chandra Sekhar Institute of Technology & Management Semiliguda, Koraput (SCS) Pvt.

Others:

1. Jagannath Institute of Technology & Management Paralakhemundi (JIP) Pvt.
2. Orissa School of Mining Engineering Keonjhar (OSM) Govt.
3. Seemanta Engineering College Jharpokharia, Mayurbhanj (SEC) Pvt.

9 comments August 3rd, 2008

CM writes to HRDM to make UCE Burla an NIT

Following is from a report in Pioneer.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday wrote a letter to the Union Ministry of Human Resources, demanding that Burla Engineering College be accorded National Institute of Technology (NIT) status. In his letter to Union Minister of HRD Arjun Singh, the CM said the institution which was established in 1956 in an area of 200 acres, is one of the premier engineering institutes of the State. The institute provides facilities for nearly 500 students.

Following is from Dharitri.

Following are excerpts from a report in Pragativadi.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday urged the Union Human Resources Development ministry to accord National Institute of Technology (NIT) status to the Burla Engineering College. 

… It may be mentioned here that there was a vociferous demand for converting the Burla Engineering College to Indian Institute of Technology soon after the Centre’s announcement to set up an IIT in Orissa.

Later, a delegation of the Old Students’ Forum, led by Sambalpur MLA and commerce and transport minister Jayanarayan Mishra had met the chief minister and submitted a memorandum to this effect.

But the state government later expressed its reluctance in this regard as it wanted the IIT location near Bhubaneswar.

The chief minister, however, urged the Centre to accord the NIT status to the premiere engineering college.

Justifying his contention, Patnaik said that the college has been providing education in nine subjects including the BTech while it has got the necessary infrastructure facility for MCA, IT and other IT related courses.

Considering the fact that the college has the reputation of imparting quality education, the chief minister said that there should be no difficulty to accord NIT status to this college.

It may be mentioned here that the former Regional Engineering College at Rourkela has already been accorded with the NIT status.

This is a good step as there are plans to have 10 more NITs during the 11th plan.

2 comments August 3rd, 2008

Orissa offers land for NID and makes a new proposal: Samaja and tathya

1 comment July 29th, 2008

IIIT in Berhampur and NID in Orissa back in the radar

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

The chances of a National Institute of Design (NID) in Orissa seems bright, thanks to the initiative of Subas Pani.

… During his recent visit to the state he advised the officials of the Government of Orissa to allot land free of cost for a NID at Bhubaneswar.

And accordingly intimate the Government of India to set up the NID in Orissa, advised he.

Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission is favoring the idea of another NID in the country.

Dr.Ahluwalia has also responded positively, when Naveen Patnaik raised the matter with him on the event of proposed NID being shifted to Bhopal. …

While Orissa Government along with leading IT companies has set up an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) at Bhubaneswar, another IIIT offered by the Government of India may be set up at Berhampur, Dr.Pani suggested.

Accordingly a piece of land may be acquired there and intimated to the Centre as soon as possible, said Dr.Pani.

9 comments July 9th, 2008

Eleventh Plan HRD distribution across states

Following is excerpted and corrected from http://darpg.nic.in/arpg-website/ChiefSectConf/PPT/HRD.ppt. (See also https://www.orissalinks.com/?p=1043.)

 * Not funded by MHRD.

 So Orissa could get 18 colleges (in 18 districts) and 11 polytechnics. Each of these colleges would be supported by GOI by upto Rs. 2.5 Crore or one-third cost with the balance being met by the State Government or Private participation.

May 15th, 2008

Tamilnadu plans to establish ten new universities

Following is an excerpt from a report in chennaionline.com.

Tamil Nadu Government proposed to establish as many as ten Universities, including the World Class University, sanctioned by the Centre during this year, Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi announced in the state assembly today.

Replying to the debate on the demand for grants for his department, he said all the ten universities, including three sanctioned by the centre, would be established during this year itself, which was a record in the history of education in the country. …

The World Class University would be established in Coimbatore, he said, adding apart from this, the centre has also sanctioned a Management University, to be established in Tiruchirapalli and Central University in Mr Karunanidhi’s home town, Tiruvarur, he said.

The minister said after the National Knowlege Commission presented its report, suggesting that the number of Universities in the country should be raised to atleast 1,500 in the coming years, Tamil Nadu took the cue and decided to establish seven Universities this year.

Accordingly, the 168-year-old Presidency College, which produced scholars like Sir C V Raman, S Chandrasekar and Mathematician Srinivasa Varadan, would start functioning as unitary type University from the academic year 2008-09.

The other unitary type Universities to come up are the Kumbakonam Men’s Arts College, which was described as the Cambridge of South India along with Kumbakonam Women’s college, the 156-year-old Coimbatore Government Arts College, along with Women’s Arts college and Queen Mary’s college, the first college to be established for women, he said.

So it looks like the IIM in Tamil Nadu will be in Trichy.

May 6th, 2008

Andhra Pradesh to have a world class university in Kadapa: Orissa should have one in Rourkela

Update 1: It looks like my assumption below that the university at Kadapa is a state one was wrong. As per Times of India, the AP government just decided to change the venue of the world class central university from Vizag to Kadapa.

Update 2: Later reports mention that the AP government did not ask the center before making the Kadapa announcement and the central govt. may not agree to shift the location from Vizag to Kadapa.

Initial post:

Following is an excerpt from newpostindia.com.

The meeting also decided to set up a world-class university in Kadapa, the home district of the chief minister, for which the government will allot 700 acres of land.

In this regard, one may note that the central government had announced that it will establish a world class central university in Vizag. I assume the Andhra Pradesh Government is talking about a different university (state funded) for Kadapa.

The Orissa government should follow Andhra’s example and besides the central govt. funded world class university in Bhubaneswar and another central university in KBK, the Orissa government should establish a world class university in Rourkela via state funds or PPP.

5 comments May 5th, 2008

DRDO labs in India: http://www.drdo.com/labindex.shtml

The following list is from http://www.drdo.com/labindex.shtml. See also http://www.ugc.ac.in/inside/drdo.html.

Following is the list at also http://www.ugc.ac.in/inside/drdo.html.

1. ADE- Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bangalore

2. ARDE- Armament R&D Establishment, Pune

3. ASL- Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad

4. CAIR- Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Bagalore

5. CFEES- Centre for Fire, Explosives & Environmental Safety, Delhi

6. CVRDE- Combat Vehicles R&D Establishment, Chennai/Avadi

7. DARE- Defence Avionics Reseach Establishmnet, Bangalore

8. DARL- Defence Agricultural Research Laboratory, Pithoragarh

9. DEBEL- Defence Bioengineering and Electrochemical Laboratory, Bangalore

10. DEAL- Defence  Electronics Applications Laboratory, Dehradun

11. DESIDOC- Defence Scientific Information & Documentation Centre, Delhi

12. DFRL- Defence Food Research  Laboratory, Mysore

13. DIPR- Defence Institute of Psychological Research, Delhi

14. DIPAS – Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences, Delhi

15. DLJ – Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur

16. DLRL – Defence Electronics Research Laboratory, Hyderabad

17. DMRL- Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad

18. DMSRDE- Defence Materials & Stores R & D Establishment, Kanpur

19. DTRL – Defence Terrain Research Laboratory

20. DRDL – Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad

21. DRDE – Defence Research & Development Establishment, Gwalior

22. DRL- Defence Research Laboratory, Tezpur

23. FRL – Field Research Laboratory, C/o 56 A.P.O.

24. GTRE – Gas Turbine Research Establishment, Bangalore

25. HEMRL – High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

26. IAT – Institute of Armament Technology, Pune

27. INMAS – Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Research, Delhi

28. IRDE – Instruments R& D Establishment, Dehradun

29. ISSA-  Insttitue of Systems Studies and Analyses, Delhi

30. ITM-  Institute of Technology Management, Mussoorie

31. LASTEC- Laser Science & Technology Centre, Delhi

32. LRDE – Electronics and Radar Development Establishment, Bangalore

33. MTRDC – Microwave Tube R&D Centre, Bangalore

34. NMRL – Naval Materials Research Laboratory, Ambernath

35. NPOL – Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi

36. NSTL _ Naval Science & Technological Laboratory, Visakhapattanam

37. PXE – Proof & Experimental Establishment, Chandipur, Orissa

38. RCI – Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad

39. R&DE – Research & Development Engineers, Pune

40. SASE – Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment, Chandigarh

41. SAG – Scientific Analysis Group, Delhi

42. SSPLDA- Solid State Physics Laboratory, Delhi

43. TBRL – Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh

44. VRDE – Vehicles research & Development establishment, Ahmednagar

58 comments April 23rd, 2008

Ministry of Sc. & Technology (DST and DBT) Labs in India: None in the DST list are in Orissa

The following list is from http://dst.gov.in/autonomous/autonomous_index.htm. Orissa does not figure in that list. In 2005 Orissa was trying for one. See https://www.orissalinks.com/?p=948. But nothing seems to have happened since then. (Orissa does have the "Institute of Life Sciences" which is funded by the Department of Biotechnology, which is under the Ministry of Science of Technology.)

• Agharkar Research Institute, Pune
• Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational-Sciences, Nainital
• Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow
• Bose Institute, Kolkata
• Centre for Liquid Crystal Research, Jalahalli, Bangalore
• Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata
• International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials, Hyderabad
• Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore
• Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Mumbai
• Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore
• National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories, New Delhi
• Raman Research Institute, Bangalore
• S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata
• Sreechitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Thiruvananthapuram
• Technology Information, Forecasting & Assessment Council (TIFAC), New Delhi
• Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi
• Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun

The Department of Biotechnology labs are listed in http://dbtindia.nic.in/institutions/instmain.html. They are:

1. Centre For DNA Fingerprinting And Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad (http://www.cdfd.org.in)

2. Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development  (IBSD), Imphal, Manipur (http://www.ibsd-imphal.nic.in)

3. Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar ( http://www.ilsc.org)

4. National Institute Of Immunology, New Delhi (http://www.nii.res.in )

5. National Centre For Plant Genome Research (NCPGR), JNU, New Delhi (http://www.ncpgr.nic.in)

6. National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), Gurgaon (http://www.nbrc.ac.in)

7. National Centre for Cell Sciences, Pune (http://www.nccs.res.in )

April 23rd, 2008

CSIR labs in India

The following list is from http://www.csir.res.in/External/Heads/aboutcsir/lab_directory.htm.

101 comments April 23rd, 2008

Foundation stone laid for National Tribal University in Madhya Pradesh: Original idea most likely came from Orissa CM

The idea  for a central tribal university was suggested by Orissa CM, on 24th October 2005, which the HRD minister had appreciated. Following is an excerpt from the press release issued by Orissa government at that time:

… In addition to this, Shri Patnaik also requested for establishment of a Central University for the KBK Region, which is one of the most backward regions in the country. He pointed out that there was a heavy concentration of the scheduled tribe and scheduled caste population in this region, which has a literacy rate below 50%. Shri Patnaik stated that setting up a Central University in the KBK region would go a long way in encouraging higher education among tribal population. He added that the university could also set up specialized centres for tribal development related studies, as tribal development was one of the biggest challenges facing the country today. Shri. Arjun Singh appreciated the rationale of having a Central University in the KBK region and sought a formal proposal in this regard from the State Government. He assured that this would receive high priority whenever the Central Government considers setting up of new central universities.

Orissa MPs also pursued it and we had sent detail proposal on it to the planning commission and HRD ministry and the PM. The similarity between the above goals and the goals of the tribal university in MP (given below) suggests that the HRD minister Mr. Arjun Singh might have stolen the idea of a central tribal university to his home state. We wrote to the Swaminadhan committee that recommended the setting up of a tribal university and also to MHRD regarding the timeline, but no response was given.  If the idea was indeed stolen, then it is a pity as such opportunistic behavior by the HRD ministry would discourage states from suggesting ideas.

Even though Orissa has been given a central university (other than the world class university), Orissa should continue pursuing its goal for a separate tribal central university for two reasons:

• The tribal university that Orissa wants in its KBK+ region was supposed to have multiple campuses like the one in Amar Kantak.
• It should have a significant percentage of seats reserved for tribals.

In any case, following is the PIB from http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=37584 about the foundation stone laying.

      A new chapter was added today in the field of higher education and research facilities for the tribal population in the country when Union Minister of Human Resource Development Shri Arjun Singh laid the foundation stone of a new Central University namely Indira Gandhi National Tribal University at Amarkantak in Anupur district, Madhya Pradesh.  The objects of the University shall include, inter-alia, promoting studies and research in tribal art, culture, tradition, language, custom, medicinal systems, forest based economic activities, including special studies in the flora and fauna, and advancements in technologies relating to natural resources of the tribal areas. It shall make special provisions for the promotion of educational, economic interests and welfare of the members belonging to the Scheduled Tribes.

Speaking on this occasion, Shri Arjun Singh said that this is an historical occasion and a moment of pride for the entire nation.  He said that this University will go a long way in providing new direction to the youth in tribal areas in meeting the challenges of the future through education and learning. This University will have live contact and coordination with other Central universities, tribal research institutions and other higher learning and research organisations and will make use of the available knowledge from every part of the country and the world to meet its solemn objectives. He said that it is necessary to have scientific temperament, aptitude for research and respect for human values and a true faith in science and knowledge.

 Shri Singh pointed out that the University will be developed into world-class institution of learning.  The jurisdiction of this University will extend to the whole country. The Minister said that University will be fully funded by the Central Government through the University Grants Commission like other Central Universities. The Minister said that it is necessary to have special attachment towards the local community and special focus on the development of the local tribal areas with full dedication and commitment so as to fully meet the objectives of this University. 

Referring to the inadequate participation of tribal community in higher education, the Minister said that it is a matter of serious concern as the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) is only 6.61 compared to the national GER of  11.6. The GER of girls from the tribal population is even lower which is 4.69. He said that low access to higher education for the tribal youth puts them at disadvantage in higher studies. The Minister said that there is high concentration of tribal population in North Eastern states and in the area comprising parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Gujarat. While North Eastern States have at least one Central University in each State, there is no Central University especially catering to the population in the other tribal concentrated areas.

The Minister said that the University has been named after late Smt. Indira Gandhi in recognition of her deep contribution and commitment for the welfare of tribals.  He said that present University will meet this requirement and will have the right to open regional centre and campus in desired areas. The Minister said that the Regional Campuses to be opened will be named after the great personalities of the concerned area like Veer Narain Singh, Goondadhur, Birsa Munda etc. so as to pay nation’s tribute to them.

He said that universities are generally established in big metros or urban areas and there are advantages of locating the universities in such areas. But the true flavour of the tribal University will come only if it is located in the midst of tribal areas. The very purpose of the establishment of this University is to make it a prime mover for development in the tribal areas hitherto neglected. He said that the seat of the University has been chosen to be a Central point in the tribal areas stretching between Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra.  He said that Amarkantak is a great pilgrim centre as well as source of the two important rivers of the country namely Narmada and Sone.

Shri Arjun Singh thanked the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, for ensuring adequate land and proper facilities of electricity and water for this prestigious project.  

The Minister hoped that the University will soon select all its managing authorities. He pointed out that the Act of this University has a special provision to ensure adequate representation of Scheduled Tribes in various bodies of the University. The Minister said that though in 11^th Five Year Plan, the Central Government is opening several institutions in the field of higher education like IITs, NITs and Management Institutions, but this tribal University will have a pivotal role among them in higher education. The Minister called upon everybody to contribute for the development of this great institution of learning.

The messages of Her Excellency Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister, and Smt. Sonia Gandhi, UPA Chairperson were also read out on this occasion. Dr. S.N. Subbarao, noted Gandhian and founder of National Service Scheme presided over the programme.  Shri Vijay Shah, Minister for Forest and Scheduled Tribe Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Smt. Jamuna Devi, Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Shri Suresh Pachauri, former Union Minister, Shri Charan Das Mahant, former Minister in Government of Madhya Pradesh, , Shri Dalpat Singh Parastay, Member of Parliament (Shadol Constituency), Shri R.P. Agrawal, Secretary, Dept. of Higher Education in the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India were among those present on this occasion.

AKS/HB/VL/GK 

3 comments April 20th, 2008