ITBHUGlobal.org ( alumni.itbhu.ac.in )

does any one has any idea if they are planning to reissue degrees for any previous year batches??

The Roorkee conversion is a precedent. No re-issues of degrees.

Check thisout:

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=37632

any comment ??????

This is a roller coster drive now. I guess, this is the high time to get a final clarification from HRD, otherwise, we will be hanging like this forever.

I do not understand the table data that is at the end of the release. One one side, they are saying that they are not going to open new IITs and IIMs in same states that already have IIT but on the otherside the table says that UP is for new IIT.

The table is a annexure for all requests which were recieved from the states. UP has requested for new IIT and new IIM.

thanks for the clarification.

Hi,
The conversion process for itbhu has not even for once been announced in the parliament... It seems it is yet another farce....

See these links
http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page.asp?relid=37022

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=37684

Surely we can not say that the Minister forgot to mention about IT-BHU in the parliament..
With 8 new IITs , 20 new IIITs, 10 new NITs, the Death warrant of IT-BHU has already been written.
At the best GOI will do is it give IT-BHU a demise in tranquility... Nothing more should be expected out of it.....

I agree...Amnesia so soon in the process is worrisome.

BHU would never let IT-BHU to get separated..and IIT council will never accept is as IIT as it cann't be separated from parent universities. Politicians will never let happen another IIT in UP unless UP is divided which paved way for roorkee. association with IIT-JEE would mean that ISM would also demand IIT tag an what not..nothing faours IT-BHU.

IT-BHU is always nominated only for IIT..it is never accepted as IIT..roorkee was granted IIT witout much of media hype..

Can Yogesh U throw some light on this confusion ?

Hi all,
I urge all to keep the discussion civil. Owing to some offensive posts, we have unpublished some comments and enabled comment moderation, and all comments will be subject to it now.

We still welcome anonymous comments, and constructive criticism is always welcome.

Best wishes,
Animesh
CSE03
Admin Team, ITBHUGlobal.org
Link for contact form

Excerpt:
"If everything goes as per the plan, our institute may become an IIT before the end of next academic year (June 2008-April 2009)."

Dear Sir,
Kindly throw some light as to what does the "as per the plan means". I mean to say that exactly whose plan(s) is this?? Is it the BHU's or the GOI's?
As far as my understanding goes the BHU executive counsel will only come into the picture once the IIT Act comes before the parliament for the Amendment to incorporate IT-BHU as an IIT with "a bit altered" form of Governance, and later when the BHU Act will be amended for separating the IT from BHU's direct administration. It is only after the parliament has actually Amended it that the Executive counsel of BHU will come into the picture (coz the proposal for IIT conversion had already been initiated from BHU only). Even if the GOI comes with such amendment into the parliament it means that in all "practicality" it-bhu WILL CERTAINLY be the next IIT.
So the "as per the plan" should essentially mean the PLAN OF ACTION Of the GOI.... But it is very disparaging on the part of the MHRD to be inflicted by some sort of amnesia when it comes to announcing the IT-BHU to IIT conversion in the Parliament.
Also the enhanced funding from this session onwards even without the IIT tag could be coz of the fact that IT-BHU was slated to become an IIEST from 2008-09 and in that case it would have anyway got that much (approx) funding and as BHU has declined this offer so naturally the GOI would do this much favor as to let its funding be at par with the IIESTs... It may not be a manifestation of the conversion to the IIT status.
Moreover as Prof Panjab Singh retires in May 2008 and a new VC comes to the helm of affairs, the high probability that IT-BHU shall once again be into an era of gloomy days can not be ruled out. If not an IIT then surely the coming perpetual gloomy days will only monotonically lead it into an abysmal ditch. I suppose the death warrant of IT-BHU is getting ready surreptitious day-by-day in New Delhi. Afterall it’s so very convenient for the policy makers to forget a nation building institutions.

My reply is as follows:

1) The plan refers to Govt. of India's Plan for converting IT-BHU into an IIT.
2) There is no fixed order of steps and we do not know the full details. BHU Executive Council may approve the separation before or after the IIT Act is modified in the Parliament.
3) The increased funding to the IIT level will start from the next academic year. It is not connected with our earlier proposal for IIEST. We are out of IIEST discussion. Increased funding for the next year is not necessary linked with modifying IIT Act. For example, 3 new IITs are coming up at Hyderabad, Patna and Jaipur from July this year, although IIT Act is yet to be amemded for these institutes. Some activities can run parallel for execution.

Thanks for asking,

Yogesh Upadhyaya
chemical 1977
yogesh@optonline.net

I am finding it a bit difficult to digest the phrases like "death warrent". I suggest all the ITBHU students/alumni not to use such sentances.

ITBHU is surviving despite all the odds from 70s. The sino-die, the politics, the unsupportive nature of BHU etc and it will survive. Remember, BHU is not a bad university. It is the number 1 university in India as per the report of the scientific adviser of GOI. So even if in the worst case scenario, ITBHU doesn't get the extra 'i', it will survive. Since the recruitment of a lot of new faculty (and some of them are very good), the research fundings are going to improve. We have already been given TBI (which will be to the tune of >6 Crores). We have 4 Center of Advanced Studies and in the near future we can expect more.

Above all when I visited ITBHU this year, I saw a change in the air. I saw that the teachers are now thinking about research. The old teachers who have done nothing since last 10-15 years have restarted their work. The new generation is also working.

The 80% part of the problem is the attitude of students. During the 4 years, only 3-4% students approach teacher for assisting them in research, and most of them do so only to get a "Certificate" not to make contribution. Also currently some students have made institute to come in reports in bad shape. Such things should stop. This complain has been made by some teachers. One teacher has plainly said "I am not going to give any BTech guy a project. Not because they are incompetant, but because they are highly irresponsible. The think that the teachers are fool and they (the students) can get away after doing anything."

My only message is to hope for the best and be prepared to "Convert the worst in the Best".

Yes. I also think that "death warrent" phrase is a little bit unwarranted here.We should avoid using such kind of phrases that undermines the value of our alma-mater. On the other hand, I strongly support the iit conversion. This is a must do thing otherwise our institute will be crushed among mighty IITs. Somebody in the forum mentioned that we have been surviving well from last several decades so this time also, we will survive. I would say "nope", this time, it will not be the case as there will be a dozen of iits and there might be a possibility where we may out of the JEE system as well when they will get enough candidated for JEE. We all know the condition of RECs and state level colleges in India. Honestly,just think about it, had we not associated with JEE for these many years, where would have been now ? Association with JEE has been the single most important reason of our survival so far so think about the scenarion, when we will be converted to iit.Somebody was pointing the -ve attitude of students at it-bhu, I guess, thats not the case. I would equally blame it on teachers as well. In my 4 years at it bhu, I saw very very few teachers who taught us without notes. Most of the teachers in my deptt came with the hand written notes that were created during their own Phd times (my guess). Our comp lab used to have two computers and those were treated like precious diamonds. I remember, most of the teachers were completly computer illeterate. In my opinion, all these things collectively made a non-academic/non-research oriented environment. As far as quality of students is concerned, they are as good as any other iits. They just need right and encouraging environment to grow and conversion to iit will help to build that kind of environment.
My 2 cents ...

To Above Anonymous comment:
I deeply respect the points you have raised. While I have always highly revered my alma-mater, but the issues like 'slow/warrant death' etc are only but the natural eruption of the prolonged neglect of the policy making institutions towards IT-BHU. Also Good or Bad, Survival or Struggle are Subjective criterion and should be looked upon in that way only. While I myself will request one & all to refrain from vitriolic remarks but that something which epitomizes the very ground reality or is a harbinger of that must surely be not discouraged to be put on the records. I would have greatly appreciated you audience if only the subtle difference between being offensive and perceiving the pertinent were contemplated.

To Respected Yogesh Sirji,
While I deeply admire you reply to my queries, I wonder how come 3 IIT (for that matter any new IIT) can be "Established" without making an Amendment into the IIT Act. It is pertinent that the IITs are not a creation of executive but are of the parliament; hence GOI is not in its executive powers an authority to do anything which is lies into the sole purview of the IIT Act. Notwithstanding that what I mean to say is even though the next session of the parliament will convene in July, the new IITs can anyway be established by an Ordinance to that effect. There is no other alternative beside this. If I am strayed kindly rectify me.
Thus here lies an opportunity for IT-BHU as well, If it can manage to secure a palace in that Ordinance.

Thanks a lot Sir,

Dear all,

(1)Please visit campus and try to find out the real story now, about computer facilities etc. We do have good labs, we have now purchased softwares, and things are changing.

(2)You wont believe, but the iit profs are not much different from our teachers. (I stayed in 2 iits for 3 months each). Yes, the teachers who qualified jee are very different from the others.
"Everything that glitters is not gold"

(3) When I joined my company (Shell), I found that the concepts taught to me during my 4 years were of very relevant to what we have in industry. During my internship in a refinery, I was easily able to visualize what is happening and why it is happening because most of the things were discussed in direct or indirect manner.

It is partly true for my case because I took my studies seriously and also worked upon my interpersonal skills and tried to closed the gaps.

I would say that the responsibility is 50-50. We also dont want to get challenged and there are some teachers who dont bother about students. But from my interaction with juniors, the things are chaning now. New teachers are increasingly involving students.

My suggestion is to discuss possible options and contribute our ideas towards how can the conversion process be smoothen. Let us not get disappinted by some odd news.

An INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM INSTITUTUE

Dear All,

I spoke to a professor (closed to our director) about this matter. Yesterday and today there has been a lot of discussion about the issue. Institute has decided to ignite the efforts and is trying its best to get the status before July 08. Also he has said that the decision has been taken at the highest level and it is certain that the conversion will be done.

I hope that it answers all the concerns. Yogesh sir may be in a better position to talk as he has been watching the situation for long.

Can somebody please tell if there will be an adverse affect on the conversion process due to the change of VC of BHU.We've read in news-paper that a new VC has been appointed.

The best way to have Government policy stated is via a question in parliament. Does anyone in the alumini association have contacts with a MP (maybe the Member of parliament from Varanasi) to ask a question to the HRD Ministry regarding status of IT-BHU and how GOI plans to fund the conversion?

@Anonymous from INSTITUTE

If, What are you saying is true, then you should have been more specific about names (yours and that 'angel' professor). Then, this info could have relieved us to a much better extent.

Excerpt:
"the decision has been taken at the highest level"
The decision that my learned friend has pointed out is the "In Principle" decision of the Union Cabinet. What it means it that in principle the GOI holds or agrees to it, i.e it fundamentally believes into the proposal but it has "not yet" taken the FINAL decision. The key word is "yet not materialized in securing the final cabinet orders". Infact even after the final decision also lot of ground will have to be covered because this is a potentially very difficult year for IT-BHU( election years are obviously like that only)

Excerpt:
"Institute has decided to ignite the efforts"
Is it possible to throw some light on this charged statement??? I suppose we are not very clear as to what it means on the ground. What does the IT-BHU directorate "really" mean from it? The purpose or the blue print ?? I suppose in absence of any real blue print the statement "and is trying its best to get the status before July 08" sounds too ambitious. The bottom line is at the end IT-BHU is an educational institute only which at the most can persuade the policy makers in the MHRD. It will certainly not be able to put even an iota of pressure on the GOI. Even the newspapers of UP have not subsequently covered this issue ( after 29th March) to make any real cause for the home state, leave alone making a miniature mass movement or atleast mass opinion favourable for IT-BHU. States like Orissa (for IIT and CU), AP (for IIT), Kerela ( for IIT and IIEST Cochin), West Bengal ( for IIEST Shibpur) and to a good extent Bihar( for IIT and CU) as well are shining examples where certain degree of mass opinion was generated for IIT/IIEST etc.
The best source of help for IT-BHU would have been the Uttar Pradesh Govt. which had earlier written to the GOI for brand new IIT and an IIM. If BHU and its alumni persuade UP govt to follow the cause for "another" IIT in UP ( not necessarily a "brand new one"), then it could really make a difference. It can give a strong argument that even though the UP has almost triple population as compared to many mid sized states it has been almost eluded from the 11th Five year plan of Elite Central Educational Institutes. On top of it, the UP govt may argue that ONLY one Central univ has been granted to UP and that to will be in Greater Noida ( a stone's throw away from New Delhi) which is in the 'Extreme West' of UP. By conferring IT-BHU an IIT status, two anomalies can be sorted out. First the legitimate request for an IIT in UP will be met and secondly from the geographical point of view of a big state like UP an additional central institute will be created in the 'Far EAST' of UP under the 11th Five year plan. For big states location are always an issue. And IT-BHU exactly fits into the frame.
Almost all the states which have been blessed by the new institutes have few things quite common to them. There respective state govt's have put in mammoth effort to fetch the new IITs/IIMS/WcCU etc. IT-BHU has never seriously tried to rope in the good offices of UP Govt for its cause.
Unless something really drastic is not done it could be yet another case of slip between the cup and the lip, which IT-BHU has been so comfortably flirting with since 1973, when it first started the so called movement for IIT, albeit this time, may be the last flirt for our alma-mater.

if you can moderate and edit you do but you must share the essence with all te itbhu alumi who care to know what other think.reember it is not only impotant what you think..it is great to think that you are good but it is also equally important to know what others are thinking and you must do things to correct things which has tarnished bhu image and its prospects. sorry for my offensive remarks but beliwve unles you charge everyone emotionally you can't get things done...success requires passion...

@IF_ONLY

1. UP already has 3 central universities BHU, AMU and Allahabad university, IIT, IIM. Now two of its medical colleges have been chosen to be given AIIMS status. Moreover BHU is a central university and there is no control of UP Government over it. Hence the involvement of the UP Government may not be possible (also the relation of UP Government and GOI are at a downfall)

2. The igniting efforts means to persue the MHRD officials to send an official letter to the institute and to get the ITBHU name in Parliament etc (My view only from what I got from my communication with the faculty member). The reason given will be the JEE counseling as the official communication to institute will help us in getting better ranks.

3. The teachers are saying that it is a final decision which is now to be implemented.

4. Till now we were receiving extra funding for IIEST (we even received the 2nd phase funding also.). But now from July onwards (It is still a guess but faculties are sure about that) we will get the funding related to IIT-Conversion.

Still many things are unclear but there are hopes. The concrete hopes. For the first time in 38 years.

@Anonymous: INFORMATION from INSTITUTE.

My sincere thanks to you for reinforcing the doubts that I had. Now the doubts have been concreted and they seem to be a fact.

1) UP Govt or for that matter any state govt has no "direct" administrative say into any institute which is under MHRD. But anyway do all the states not persuade the Union Govt for granting national institutions to there respective states? Is AP, Orissa not doing this from the past several years? Even IIT-Guwahati was established under the ASSAM Accord.
The essence of my suggestion was to use the good offices of the UP Govt. to further our cause, as it has already seeked a new IIT and a new IIM for the state.
It is ironic that BHU admin never seriously discussed this (either informally or formally) with the state govt. It is pity that from the same state two proposals have been sent to Union Govt. each seeking an IIT. While many readers will rush to put in that how can BHU engage with a state govt when it is a creator of the parliament, I request them to give them few more minutes and recall many parallels when a State govt had rallied hard for an OBJECT which lies into the sole purview of either the GOI or of the parliament. While its true that BHU and UP Govt are entirely at odds when there administrative hierarchy is seen but the crux is that it does make a profound sense if the UP govt has sent a proposal which would have "seconded" the initiatives of the BHU. These are not two mutually exclusive paths. There convergence would have done real wonders to our alma-mater.
I remember one rejoinder from UGC that was sent back to BHU when I was in 2nd year. BHU had sent a copy of the proposal for IIT-BHU to UGC. If that can be sent to UGC which has actually NIL authority either in the affairs of the IIT or as a member overseeing the creation of the new proposed IITs then can the same thing not be done to UP Govt., which as a State has an inherent interest and is a legal party to it. Later UGC simply replied back saying that it has absolutely no authority into it and that it is not a right party to be addressed.

2) As I earlier pointed out IT-BHU "as an educational institute" and its administration in there "formal" capacity can at the max send few letters and Faxes to the MHRD. That’s all is the meaning of the Ignited efforts.

3) As far as the Final decision is concerned the day an ordinance to this effect in IIT Act comes up or the IIT Act is brought before the parliament for incorporating IT-BHU on that day only we can say for sure that it will be surely an IIT.

4) As I earlier pointed out in my query to Yogesh Sir that the extra grant could be an outcome of the impending IIEST status, which after BHU declined, the GOI would have still continued with its financial clauses. But anyway Yogesh Sir has preempted this theory and suggested that the new funding from July08 onwards will be for the pending IIT status.

One of the deliberations from somebody was that best way to unveil the confusion and to really get to know what lies in the minds of the policy makers is to raise the query in the parliament. That’s the best way out. It is in the session also. More so the present MP from Varanasi is an ex- student leader of the BHU.

@IF_Only

1. The time in which BHU/IT-BHU authorities will spend in order to get the UP government to understand the case for IIT-BHU and then to "Pressurize" the central government will be long (min of some months to years) and the time can be utilize in delhi

2. I am unable to recall when did BHU sent a proposal to UGC regarding IIT-BHU and UGC rejected it. I can only remember first S. K. Joshi committee was formed and then the Anantkrishnan committee. And both were the initiatives. Also this is the first time (I mean the last 5 years) when BHU is supporting the IIT cause.

3. Yes, we cant be sure until we get the order published in the gazzet of GOI. But if you recall the original press release, it clearly states that the PM has approved the following proposals, which includes the conversion of ITBHU to IIT. Also the MHRD officials have confirmed it.

4. To ask a question in parliament is a good option. The Varanasi MP Rajesh Mishra may be helpful (but no information if he will support the IIT cause as he was involved in anti IT things during his time in BHU). In any case it will be good to call some faculty members and get the latest information from them.

read this....

http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page.asp?relid=17928

http://www.odishatoday.com/Demand_for_IIT_at_Berhampur_gaining_ground_250408335.html

we should learn from them
they even suggested name for it, we must appreciate the commitment....

Another Perspective on IIT Conversion......

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Seven_going_on_16_its_now_IIT_versus_IITs/articleshow/2986649.cms

Ranking 2008

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEA20080428003016&Page=A&Title=Southern+News+-+Andhra+Pradesh&Topic=0

Here's the complete ranking: IT-BHU is 6th.

http://www.askiitians.com/askiitians/scripts/Top_Engg_College.aspx

Anonymous:

Thanks for forwarding the list of engineering colleges by Ask IITians, in which IT-BHU is ranked 6th.

I wish to add that the list is directly lifted from Dataquest ranking of 2005 engineering colleges, an article on which was published in rediff.com by me and Arvind Gupta with Dataquest permission.

http://in.rediff.com/money/2005/jun/28spec.htm

The new list is prepared (by Askiitians-a coaching class)just by adding IIT-Delhi on the top, which did not participate in Dataquest ranking.

Thanks,

Yogesh Upadhayya

If you read the Press release
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=36955
the 11th plan has approved 8 new iits.

It is my belief that conversion of IT-BHU to IIT is NOT comtemplated under the 11th Five Year plan.

This does not mean that IT-BHU wont be converted. Infact the release says a decision has been taken in principle. The funding mechanism is suspect.

The conversion proposed by HRD Ministry might be a out-of plan spend. I have not found any information yet which provides insight into how this is going to be funded.

This might explain some of the answers which we have seen from the HRD Ministry as most of the questions are related to the 11th plan or NEW IIT's.

@Anonymous: IT-BHU conversion not part of 11th Fv. yr plan.

This is an angle which many were suspecting for some time. I appreciate that you have given some insight into it. It seems that this is the case. Infact in the parliament the other MoS for MHRD have also not mentioned IT-BHU in the the proposed IITs under the 11th five Yr. Plan.
If the above theory holds water, then certainly that's not a thing to cheer about for us. First coz a five yr plan is a development blue print of the country which may be prepared by the incumbent govt at centre but is finally approved by the National Development Council which comprises of the governments of all the states of India. Thus it delivery may not succumb to that level with the change in the govt at center as that of a normal cabinet decision. Secondly, as soon as the uncontrolled beast of the Inflation is abated, the impending 15th General Election may be prematurely given its life.

Thus it becomes all the more important for IT-BHU whose conversion as of now is solely an "in principle" decision of the Cabinet( which is naturally headed by the PM, hence needless to reiterate that the PM has "also" approved it) to get it into the ambit of of the IIT Act latest by the monsoon session of the parliament. Any further delay and the whole process may go upside down.

Yes, also the ministry is currently finding out the ways how the conversion process can be completed in a fast track process. The funding is also is an issue since I have learnt that UGS has categorically stopped the payment of some previously approved new schemes to departments.

All this indicate that the things are moving in a right direction.

Hats off to all who have worked so hard to make this dream true.

@Anonymous
Excerpt:
"the ministry is currently finding out the ways how the conversion process can be completed in a fast track process."

Dear friend, thanks for your valuable info. if it is possible for you to give a possible indepth info as to how you have come to know that the MHRD is also trying "for IT-BHU" to complete the conversion in the FAST TRACK mode. I mean any concrete info from any rejoinder or from IT-BHU directorate???

Excerpt:
"UGS has categorically stopped the payment"

Have they mentioned the reason henceforth for such a drastic decision. have they categorically said that since IT-BHU is at the impending state fro becoming IIT and IITs are directly administered by MHRD and does not come under the purview of UGC so they can not continue the finance???? Something of this kind???

Kindly let the alumnus out here to know more from your understanding. Anyways I once again thanks to you fro your info.

If_Only

Kindly have a look at one of the very significant policy deliberation regarding 11th Five year plan: ( See Page 86, para 4th)

http://planningcommission.nic.in/aboutus/committee/wrkgrp11/wg11_IT.pdf

Infact in the deliberations of the "Eleventh Five Year Plan Information Technology Sector 2007 - 12", a very holistic study has been done for the promotion of the information technology in India and that how India could become a landmark into this arena. In one of the sections where the policy and the future path of the technical education vis-a-vis IT in India is discussed, there IT-BHU "as a sole institute" has been considered 'as a benchmark for potential conversion reference point' ( page 86). From this REFERENCE POINT (viz IT-BHU as an example) onwards the learned committee deduced the possible ways of achieving high quality technical education (via new IITs) in the forth coming years.
Excerpt:
"It is reported that upgrading an institute from an IT-BHU (example) to an IIT requires an incremental investment of INR150-200 crore (US$ 35- 45 million) and establishing a Greenfield IIT establishment requires an investment of INR 500-1000 crore (US$ 110- 220 million)"
It is another matter that the same committee also tried to study the feasibility of converting all the NITs to the IIT level.
These are highly significant documents of Policy making in India under the auspices of Planning Commission. It is a manifestation of those serious contemplation that would have gone down deep into the policy making within whose ambit thankfully IT-BHU has also come. The natural outcome is supposedly the righteous treatment promised this time.
It is also worthy to note that the said committee comprised of learned members like the renowned academician Prof. Sanjay ji Dhande ( Director IIT-Kanpur)

If_Only

Is there new any updates on iit conversion front ?

Dear Annonymous:

Thanks for the query. As per HRD Ministry sources, the conversion thing is still positive. Our alumni association is keeping track on the subject and is regularly in touch with concerned authorities.

By the way, the discussion between you and If_only is very informative and most of your info is on the track.

Thanks,

Yogesh K. Upadhyaya
chemical 1977
yogesh@optonline.net

Let us all understand that the process and official discussions do take some time. The things will pace up again once the semester is over as the senior faculty from institute will travel to New Delhi for discussions.

We should not hope that there will be a new announcement/policy making etc each and every new day. Let us give the things some time to shape up. Till then please contribute any new information that you get. But don't get too excited/disheartened till the final announcement.

The great VC of BHU has finally left....

http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/local/uttarpradesh/4_1_4412059_1.html

His tenure was one of the finest for the BHU as a whole. He made remarkable strides in all areas of development in BHU. Right from the South Campus to the IMS, IT and other faculties.
It was under his administration that IMS was enlisted for getting funds at par with the AIIMS, potential conversion of IT into IIT, and that a very strong case had been presented to the MHRD for creation of an Institute of Science in BHU.
The venerable and redoubtable leader, Prof. Punjab Singh has left us at a very crucial juncture. When the stage was all set and IT was poised to get the long overdue and coveted status, the man who had made it his vision and incorporated the same into the official vision of the Banaras Hindu University has left us.
Let the good work that he started be eventually given the shape that it deserved. We can only pray to the Almighty that the new VC will atleast not hold views contrary to what the Prof. Singh had. His legacy will remain to inspire us.

If_Only

Dear If_only

Sub: Dr. Panjab Singh leaves as VC of BHU

Thanks for forwarding newslink of Jagran newspaper about last day of Dr. Panjab Singh, which I shall post on yahoogropus.

I have a great respect for him. I met him in NJ in Sept. 2007, when we arranged reception for him. I also met him when I visited campus last January. He told me that he prevented IT-BHU of becoming IIEST, as it requires abolition of all 4-yr B Tech program and replace with 5-yr M Tech program. Instead, he succeeded in getting us an IIT status by his close contact with HRD ministry. We will not find such VC in the future.

Yogesh K Upadhyaya
chemical 1977

I hope we will get a VC like him again. His great works will not see any results, if new VC does not have vision like him.

I think one of the MP from Uttar Pradesh (i forgot which place but maybe Mirzapur...)is our alumni of 70's or 80's batch...(He was earlier the BHU's Student Union Leader in his college days)
May be he can raise a specific question about IT-BHU->IIT-BHU process in the Parliament...and the reply by Govt. would give us a better insight into the current scenario as nothing has been said about IT-BHU in particular in the parliament till now....

I still in doubt while making any announcement about XI plan,HRD is not talking about conversion of ITBHU to IIT. Lots of announcement is taking place about XI plan but none of them mention about ITBHU conversion.

http://darpg.nic.in/arpg-website/ChiefSectConf/PPT/HRD.ppt#354,8,OTHER MAJOR INITIATIVES PROPOSED IN HIGHER EDUCATION - II

It is clear now from the ppt available in the above list that we are going to be an IIT. Hats off to all who have worked tirelessly for this achievement. Also a great thanks to Prof. Punjab Singh ji, our former VC, Prof. S. N. Upadhyay, Prof. Dhananjai Pandey and other associated faculty members, Shri Yogesh Upadhyaya and our alumni team for this hard work.

I also suggest the moderators to start an active discussion with institute about the changes that we would like to be initiated.

How much new this ppt is? Was it presnted in parliament by HRD???

This presentation was held at the Civil Services Day, 22nd April 2008 at the Chief Secretaries (of all the States in India) Conference.
In addition to other deliberations, the initiatives in the XI five year plan for HRD was also discussed.
One thing quite notable is that while the NEW IITs are "decided", for IT-BHU its still the proposal.
Other striking issue is that it is still not clear whether conversion is a part of the holistic XI five year plan or is it just a Normal Cabinet in principle decision. As per this PPT it seems it is well within the XI five year plan, but while few queries regarding HRD's new initiatives in higher education field (during XI five year plan) was raised in the parliament, none of the Ministers (of State) for HRD have actually figured-out IT-BHU into its ambit.
Also, it is quite natural that BU must have received some sort of the communique from the MHRD regarding the conversion. May be if anybody knows the insight of it, could share at this platform

If_Only

http://education.nic.in/planbudget/DFG-2008-09.pdf

Latest extract from MHRD site. Detailed Demand for Grants for 2008-2009 does not have any appropriation for IT-BHU conversion.

This does have the allocations for new IIT's.

Note that this plan covers plan and non-plan expenditure.
GOI may propose all it wants but unless it appropriates the monies,IIT-BHU remains a pipe dream.

The above budget link is quite old (before 20th April). Don't worry people, things are going on the right track. You will see the results within few weeks. In the meantime stop the speculations

Anonymous with secret info...
your statement about things going on right track is speculative as well. If you have information about progress in the conversion activity please share with the group...

Why dont current students update us as to whats happening in the institute regarding iit conversion ? It would be great if we hear directly from the Horse's mouth.

Any updates on the issue? Or was it a cruel joke as ever...

The JEE 2008 admission authority has officially announced admission to 3 new iits for the academic year 2008-09.
Visit the following site for more info.
http://www.iitg.ernet.in/jee/

[comment edited for publishing]
WOW.... That was something...
Ok we need the extra 'i' but as of now i don't understand why we are not trying to boost the BHU brand name.
Guys BITS Pilani is an institute which is treated as one of the finest ones in the industry. It stands alone and is doing extremely well.

I am really sad to c that in our struggle of the extra eye we have even closed the one that we have...
We lack the basic confidence.. Most of us post our CVs with a tag line
"Cleared JEE with air ......Blah blah blah blah.."
Do you know what our problem is ... " or we write iit bhu as our isti.. Whats this.
By this attitude we have created such an image that if we do not get the extra 'i' we will be lost.
I understand that we desperately need the 'i' ... But God forbid if this does not happen. What would be the consequences... Slipping AIRS... People joining NITS etc.etc...

Please try to boost the IT-BHU brand.... IIT-BHU will surely happen .... I dont care whether it happens in XI or XXI ...

Lets do our best to promote IT-BHU... No offense but we all know we are ahead of some IITs.. Lets increase the lead...

No need to restart the discussion about IIT v/s non-IIT. It has been discussed endlessly. The results distill down to the fact that whatever we may say, but the the extra ' I ' is still needed for: More funds, Easier brand recognition, More funds, Higher AIR students and again More funds !

The need of an extra I is undebatable.There is no point in discussing about this.Everybody from us should explore every possibility to make this happen. Because if we missed it this time then perhaps it will be too late.

Seems that there is no progress on the issue now...
Even the students in the insti have no idea as to what is happening... I talked to some of them & they said that there was a lot of ho halla at the time of announcement, even the teachers echoed the same...
But today, everyone is just the same.

go through the following link.There is nothing mentioned about converting IT BHU TO an IIT.

http://pib.nic.in/archieve/others/2008/may/e2008052328.pdf

it seems conversion process was a joke nothing else.

It seems, the way we have been pursuing IT-BHU to IIT conversion since last few years, we are just making a mockery of ourselves. The honorable minister had just used the word "proposal" which resulted in lot of speculations. There is no official release from the institute as well. Even a key official from the institute says "This is just a proposal and nothing else".

Anonymous:
Why is there shame to the fact that we aspire for a bigger fund,better faculty and access to high quality students for our alma mater? If the IIT status gets us all that, where is the mockerey in trying for that....
I believe there is mockery in "NOT" trying to better the institute.
The institute does not have much control over the conversion process...hence it cannot release any "official releases" which will put your mind to ease.
The process as explained eloquently by Yogesh U. required the Government to act and drive this process.

INDIA TODAY Ranking 2008

ITBHU has been ranked 9th.

http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&issueid=55&task=view&id=8691&Itemid=1

There is no shame in the fact that we are aspiring for "bigger fund,better faculty and access to high quality students for our alma mater". But the fact, there are regular announcements & nothing happening after that, seems to be the reason for worry. Is it that the government has forgotten its proposal or was it just a gimmick to please the IT-BHU fraternity (after the honorable PM's visit to the recent convocation & being awarded on the occasion), which has been pursuing the GOI for so long.

May be there can be a number of speculations but as of now, nothing seems to be happening!!!!!!

uyouguysare justtaking it too easy...its an iit conversion ,not a chmical reaction which you performin your lab in 1 hour.the conversion process will take approx. one year but the funding has already begun as you(all it-bhu students check their official e-mail id's) can contactour library which has subscribed 5 new e-resources and purchased around 600 textand reference books.
this is just the beginning.
]in the coming monsoon session the act will be passed for this process.since it takes a fixed interval of time,its no use crying over the issue.
in the coming session ,you(all it-bhu students) will see the changes through funding and ultimately around the end of session(april-may2009),you will finally see the board of it-bhu being replaced by iit-bhu.
so,guys chill,stop speculating and just wait and watch........

Another news related to iit conversion (interview of Prof. S. N. Upadhyay ji in Business Standard)

http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=lmnu7&subLeft=8&autono=324259&tab=r

that sounds good....
at least there is some hope left.

Along side the main article the Business Standard has also published the Interview of Prof. S.N. Upadhaya ( dated 28th May 2008, Mumbai Edition)

http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=lmnu7&subLeft=8&autono=324260&tab=r

One thing quite noteworthy from Prof. S.N.Upadhaya's interview has come to the forefront is that the MHRD is considering the nomenclature as IIT-Varanasi instead of the proposed one viz IIT-BHU. It implicitly indicates that atleast with the MHRD the issue of conversion is still ON.

If_Only

The Gujarat Govt has also received the formal node from GOI for setting up the new IIT at GandhiNagar, which is all set to become functional from the upcoming academic year

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/iitgujarat-to-become-a-reality-coming-academic-year/66189-3.html

On a related note, as we saw from the interview of Prof. S.N.Upadhaya in Business Standard, the MHRD may not accept the nomenclature as IIT-BHU, because why in the world the MHRD would care whether the IT-BHU post conversion desires not to severe the umbilical cord with the BHU. It is the relentless petition of the IT-BHU and not of the MHRD to make it an IIT. The onus for a conducive "deal" solely lies upon the IT-BHU. All IITs for that matter are totally independent, so it could be a bone of contention between the BHU Admin and the MHRD, as BHU would gain nothing if it "completely" relinquishes its sole Engineering Faculty. Also the incumbent VC is not as politically poised as what Prof Panjab Singh used to be and that the former neither holds the unanimous goodwill of all the different faculties in this matter. Additionally the issue of the Chairmanship of the Board of the Governors (BOG) of the proposed IIT (BHU or Varanasi?) would certainly be something which could easily bring the whole issue to an impasse. It is hard for the MHRD to accept this 'bizarre' demand of the BHU to double the post of the VC of the BHU with that of the BOG of the proposed IIT (BHU or Varanasi?). The issue may well get into an imbroglio.
Conceivably for the MHRD (1)the actual name of the upgraded IIT and (2)the Post of the Chairman of the BOG of the said IIT as seeked by the BHU, will be something hard to digest. In equal measures for the BHU Admin the issue is something of sanctity, as without the above conditions it would essentially mean a "total" relinquishing of the IT from BHU. In that case BHU as such will be at complete loss. While many of the alumni and present students of the IT will rush to count the immense gain for the IT, but pragmatically speaking for the BHU as a university it has nothing to gain if it fully renounces IT and thus here lies the catch. And thus if the MHRD repudiates the said demand of the BHU then it is quite conceivable that the PROJECT IIT (BHU) will see the death-dust at the high tables of the Executive Council of the Banaras Hindu University.
With the new VC at the helm of the affairs it is not a guarantee that he will show the same amount of enthusiasm as what we have seen in the past 3 years. Lets hope that better sense prevails and atleast the top brass of the IT-BHU should visit the MHRD in person and try to convince the policy makers to the sanctity of there expectation.

If_Only

I hope that the entire conversion process is still on track.Can anyone confirm this for me?

If so,what is the progress of the entire process?