This will provide the information and discussion on different blogs, websites and other pieces of information.
1) From the blog ITBHU to IIT
http://www.itbhutoiit.tk/
Demanding overdue conversion of IT-BHU to IIT
We don't WANT the IIT status, we DESERVE it!
An Appeal
By itbhutoiit
Honorable Sir / Madam,
Subject: Conversion of IT-BHU into an IIT.
This is to draw your kind attention towards a matter of Great National Importance and highest sensitivity in the contemporary scenario.
- Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University established by Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviyaji, the illustrious founder of BHU and a great patron, patriot and visionary is a constituent of BHU and is under the control, guidance and funding of UGC.
- IT-BHU is one of the oldest and foremost institutes in the country in the field of Engineering and Technology, having widest national and international acclaim and worldwide reputation.
- IT-BHU has produced numerous internationally renowned engineers, top class research scientists and world class faculty in different fields of Engineering and Technology.
- IT-BHU has been admitting students though JEE and GATE conducted by the IITs since 1971.
Today, it demands concern that we need to get IT-BHU in the same pool as IITs owing to the following concerns:
- The IITs started taking shape in late 60s and early 70s. It was only till then, that the good institutions were 'treated' as equals or better than the IITs by the Government of India.
- The IITs come directly under the Ministry of HRD while most others Central Universities and Institutes, including BHU come under the UGC. The rules that apply to IITs are different from BHU, including the annual funding, approval of research grants, allotment of projects and pay scale of faculty members.
- In today's scenario of academia, research grant from the Government seems easier to receive, if the proposal is from an IIT rather than from IT-BHU. This also holds true for grants to students/faculty to participate in national and international conferences.
- A fresh faculty member joins the IITs at the pay scale of a Reader in IT-BHU while it takes a Lecturer around 7~10 years in an institute like IT-BHU to reach that pay scale and this dissuades a faculty member to join IT-BHU. The supporting funds which IT-BHU receives are somewhere in between of a quarter to a half of that an IIT receives. This in the end reflects on facilities being made available to faculty and students like - on campus housing, research grants etc.
- The admissions to IT-BHU have suffered as more and more IITs are coming up. This is because students' first preference to join the IITs and then to evaluate the option of coming to BHU, is resulting in students with lower IIT-JEE ranks joining IT-BHU. With IT-BHU converted into an IIT, quality of incoming students would improve. This is proven by higher ranked IIT-JEE students joining IIT-Guwahati and IIT-Roorkee rather than IT-BHU.
Further, the Union Cabinet chaired by Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh (on July 17, 2008) approved in principle the conversion of IT-BHU into an IIT and integrating it with the IIT system in the country. (Ref: Press Release, GOI dated July 17, 2008; http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=40469). But, the recent news report in Daily Telegraph dated February 4, 2009 (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090204/jsp/nation/story_10482942.jsp) mentioning that the Centre is planning to shelve the promised conversion of IT-BHU into an IIT, has resulted in deep agitation among the students and faculty of IT-BHU.
The students no longer find it fine to sit back in the matter and have decided to go for the cause with an all-what-it-takes determination. As it not only affects the 3000 students of the institute but also seriously concerns the people of Eastern UP / Poorvanchal in particular and the nation in general, the matter has assumed urgent national importance. Students of IT-BHU are trying hard to get the matter learned and attended by the nation and have started exploring all possibilities for the same, like holding peaceful demonstrations and sending delegations to meet relevant authorities of the Government.
To emphasize the view point, the dire need of the conversion and to present the spirit of participation, all students of IT-BHU have decided to widely circulate this letter. We hope that this would satisfactorily convey our deeply felt concern and sincere desire of conversion of IT-BHU into an IIT to enable us to hope to grow better as individuals, technocrats, entrepreneurs and engineers and to serve the society in a better manner.
With all due respect, sincerity and understanding, we humbly request you to kindly look into the matter and take forward the efforts in your unmatched capacity and unparalleled motivation for the cause. We all hope to be richly blessed by your indispensable concern and support.
Thanking in anticipation.
Yours sincerely,
Students, IT-BHU
2) Response from R. Chidambaram
R. Chidambaram is a member of Prime Minister's Scientific Advisory Committee, and he also attended IIT Council meeting. He is also visiting professor at the Faculty of Sciences, BHU.
As per Telegraph India Report, Prof. R. Chidambaram opposed the conversion of IT-BHU into an IIT. In this reply given to one of our faculty, he tries to clarify his stand on the conversion issue"
"I supported the conversion of IT-BHU to an IIT in the IIT-Council meeting. I only suggested that, after conversion, the link to the BHU should be retained to the extent possible, so that the students (and the faculty) can have the best of both worlds.
Kind regards.
Sincerely,
R. Chidambaram
3) Press release from BHU
BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY
February 9, 2009
PRESS RELEASE
The Banaras Hindu University has been making desired efforts to get the status of I.I.T for its Institute of Technology (IT).
It is worthwhile to mention that Prof. D. P. Singh the Vice-Chancellor of the University met Hon'ble Shri Arjun Singh, Minister of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India at New Delhi on 7th February 2009 and requested him for the grand of I.I.T. status to the I.T.-B.H.U. The Hon'ble Minister assured him for the same. It is hoped that I.T. -B.H.U will get this status soon.
(Signature)
Chairman
Press, Publication & Publicity Cell
4) The student team from the institute.
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