Does Mysuru’s proximity to Bengaluru, the IT capital, and the city’s emergence as the next IT hub go in its favour for establishing the proposed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)?
These factors were in fact prominently emphasised when the site selection committee recently visited the city to study the proposal for setting up the premier institute.
Infosys has set up the largest technical training centre here and is one of the biggest corporate universities in the world. It can train nearly 13,500 trainees at a time, and has all modern facilities.
Moreover, the State government has extended full support for developing quality education, Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha had told the committee.
Wipro has established its Global Service Management Center (GSMC) in Mysuru. In the area of Bio-Technology, Mysuru is emerging as an important player with around 13 companies operating from here.
The industrial sector is also playing a key role with the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) setting up six industrial areas in and around Mysuru. They include Belagola, Belawadi, Hebbal (Electronic City), Hootagalli, Nanjangud, Thandya.
Some of the major industries located in Mysuru are BEML, Nestle, AT & S, ITC, J. K. Tyres, Wipro, Jubiliant Organosis, Reid & Taylor, L & T, Infosys, TVS, Falcon Tyres etc, according to Ms. Shikha.
Though one of the team members had reportedly said in Raichur that all three locations had turned out to be first-rate locations for setting up the IIT, some experts here feel that Mysuru had more advantages than other two locations.
Sri Jayachamarendra College of Engineering Principal Shakeeb Ur-Rahman told The Hindu the city’s proximity to IIT, Madras, and IISc, Bengaluru, are also its big advantage when compared to two other locations – Dharwad and Raichur.
Also, the National Institutes of Technology (NIT) at Surathkal, Kozhikode and Tiruchi are also not very far from Mysuru. The feeder institutes make a difference, he explained. “When IIT Hyderabad was opened, the IIT Madras was its mentor. Similarly, IIT Madras can play a similar role if Mysuru gets the IIT,” he suggested.
Proximity to Bengaluru, the IT capital, is of course a major advantage that improves Mysuru’s chances for getting the proposed institute, Mr. Rahman said.
‘City’s proximity to Bengaluru works in Mysuru’s favour’
