The setting up of an Indian Institute of Technology in Kerala would be taken up by the government at the political and administrative levels in New Delhi, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here on Thursday.
This assurance was given to a group of former IIT-ians led by Professors M. P. Rajan and C.M. Abraham of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) who met Mr. Chandy here. The group has been formed to carry out a sustained campaign for the setting up an IIT in the State.
A concept paper submitted by the group to Mr. Chandy pointed out that IITs are not just better universities or better NITs. They are institutions governed by an Act of Parliament having substantial resources and academic freedom. Over the last 60 years, the IITs have become a global brand; if Kerala is to become a destination for technological investments, it needs an IIT.
Since IITs offer quality improvement programmes for teachers of other engineering colleges, having such an institution in the State would boost the overall academic standard of technical education.
In October, the group plans to hold a one-day brainstorming session, here, to devise strategies for keeping alive the campaign for an IIT.
