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The amendment to the IIT Act, 1961 did not come up in the winter session of Parliament, which was held in December.
The govt. plans to add the names of 8 new IITs and IT-BHU in the list of IITs by amending the IIT Act. Before IIT Act is amended, govt. has to complete all the necessary formalities and ensure that all pending issues pertaining to the institutes under the Act are resolved. For example, locations of new IITs are to be finalized, and finance allocation is to be reconfirmed with Planning Commission.
It is now hoped that govt. will bring the agenda for amending IIT Act in February 2009 session of Parliament. It is expected that the conversion will be complete before the start of next academic session, i.e. latest by July 2008.
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View of our Director Prof. S. N. Upadhyaya in “LiveMint”
http://www.livemint.com/2008/12/14171513/IIT-status-still-eludes-ITBHU.html
IIT status still eludes IT-BHU
The Union Cabinet had approved the setting up of eight new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in Bihar, AP, Rajasthan, Orissa, Gujarat, Punjab, HP and MP at a cost of Rs6080 crores for 6 years period.
Varanasi: Even after five months of the Union Cabinet decision to upgrade IT-BHU to an IIT, the status still eludes the institute as no further step has been taken to give the decision a concrete shape, adding to the deep disappointment of the students and the faculties here.
“We are deeply disappointed at this juncture as no visible steps have been taken to accomplish the Cabinet decision to upgrade the IT-BHU to an IIT and the present Lok Sabha is about to complete its five years’ term,” Prof Siddh Nath Upadhyay, Director of IT-BHU, said.
The Union Cabinet had approved the setting up of eight new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Gujarat, Punjab, HP and MP at a total cost of Rs6080 crores for 6 years period, on 17 July this year.
At the same meeting the Cabinet also approved in principle the taking over of the IT-BHU, a unit of the Banaras Hindu University, its conversion into an IIT and integrating it with the IIT system in the country.
“But since then while the academic sessions commenced in 6 new IITs opened with effect from 23 July this year, even without any formal campus for them, the sprawling lush green campus of IT-BHU has been left out without any visible further step in the direction of upgrading it to the IIT status,” a senior official of the institute said.
“The IT-BHU has not been even officially informed about the Cabinet decision to upgrade it till date,” Prof Upadhyay said.
“We had demanded for an additional estimated fund of about Rs300 crore for the first phase of the upgradation plan of the institute but still waiting for the response of the Union Government,” he added.
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I feel that funding did not stand in the way of seeking excellence or even a brand name during BENCO-College ofTechnology/MinMet/Pharma/Silicate
days or BHU IT days. Perhaps the causes for this need a little deeper introspection.
Thinking that just adding the tag of IIT will add lustre may lead to disappointments in that the different IITs too have a scale/ hierarchy of ranking based on market perception and academic/research output.
Today while buying clothes ,people are keen of brand name ,while Brand Name of a college is itself a much bigger thing .
In INDIA alone ,not many people are even aware of existence of IT-BHU . Moreover large funds and freedom are required to keep our college at par with IIT's. IIT tag thus not only provide a global recognition but , also the money and freedom to utilize it. So TAG matters.
Why we so bent upon getting IIT status? We have our own identity. We should focus on improving the quality of education, labs etc, rather than brand. When govt. is adding so many IITs, we have a golden chance to become exclusive, and to set higher standards of education.
January 13, 2009 2:58 PMLeave a comment
(if you having troubles, try posting your comment on this page or send an email to chronicle @ itbhuglobal.org)Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi 221005, UP
yeah !! why we are so much inclined towards getting IIT tag ?? We should look upon the improvements in our education,facilities,etc ....not only the TAG.and i think adding so many IITs will effect on the IIT's standard too.I heard students there are studying in a class of 400 in a large hall. aah pity !!
January 19, 2009 5:45 PM