In a desperate move to generate funds in the cash-strapped International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Nuzvid, the State government may increase the number of “self-financed” seats in the new academic year.
One of the three autonomous institutes functioning under the Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT), the IIIT Nuzvid is reeling under severe fund crunch. While reports point to the possibility of paucity of funds forcing the Government to reduce the number of seats in the institute, sources in the institute assert that the Government was determined to maintain status quo under any circumstance, as any alteration in the lofty ideals associated with the institute would mean defeating the purpose of setting up the education centre.
The deferment of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination for a few subjects in the strife-torn Hyderaabad is said to have given the Government some more time to spell its final stand on the crucial issue. Representatives of the institute have sought an appointment with Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, who is expected to spell out the Government's stand on the issue in a couple of days. Even as a fresh batch of students geared up to appear for the SSC exams, the Government jostled with the grim scenario of dearth of resources for these three institutes. Established in 2008, the objective of the RGUKT is to cater to the educational needs of meritorious rural youth who are deprived of facilities their peers enjoy in an urban set-up. Sources in the IIIT Nuzvid feel that the Government may opt for an increase in the number of self-financed seats. Last year, the institute had admitted a few students from outside the State in this category. Moving a step further this year, the Government may extend the facility of self-financed seats to students of Andhra Pradesh as well, it is learnt. In the last batch, 10 students from outside the State were admitted in this category and they were made to pay a fee of Rs. 1 lakh a year. Since it has proved to be an effective way to generate funds, the Government may opt for it in a bigger way this year, the sources explain. Meanwhile, the IIT Nuzvid has also put in place a new norm this academic year, which makes it mandatory for admission-seekers to produce a certificate of having studied in a government-run school for the four preceding years in a row. “This is to check any possible malpractice,” explains Ibrahim Khan, Director of the institute.
The institute can accommodate 2,000 students. Of the 2,000 seats, 15 per cent are reserved for State-wide meritorious students..
