Tuesday, February 22, 2011

[Dharwad] Karnatak University to provide land for IIIT

Source: The Hindu

Dharwad: Vice-Chancellor of Karnatak University – Dharwad H.B. Walikar has said that the university was ready to hand over 20 acres of land for the establishment of the proposed Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Dharwad.

Speaking to presspersons here on Monday, Mr. Walikar said the Centre has sanctioned one of 14 new IIITs proposed to be set up in different parts of the country. Earlier, a proposal was mooted to set up the IIIT in Gulbarga but Minister for Higher Education V.S. Acharya, who is the alumni of Karnatak University, has favoured setting up of IIIT in Dharwad. So, the Government sought land for the purpose.

The KUD has submitted a proposal urging the Government to set up the prestigious institute on the varsity premises. And, the Government has been requested to allow the faculty of the proposed IIIT to teach postgraduate students of KUD. According to Prof. Walikar, once the proposal gets Government's approval, the institute would be set up on KUD premises.

Research centre

On the new projects to be launched in the next academic year, he said Rs. 1.5 crore has been earmarked for the construction of Mathematics Research Centre in the varsity which would be named after the former Vice-Chancellor and mathematician D.C. Pavate. It will provide opportunities for students to take up research in mathematics.

Scholarship

Besides, the varsity would launch scholarship programmes for the students taking up courses in basic sciences. A 100 would be provided annual scholarship of Rs. 10,000 each for three years. While the varsity will contribute funds for providing scholarship to 50 students, managements of educational institutions will contribute the rest of the amount. During the second phase, the scholarship programme would be extended to postgraduate science students, he added.

In order to select eligible students for the scholarship, State-level test on par with the CET would be held followed by counselling. Those who secure the first hundred ranks would be given scholarships. And, only students interested to take up B.Sc. with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology (PCMB) combination would be eligible.

Correspondence course

Karnatak University will launch postgraduate correspondence course in mathematics, MBA and mass communication and Journalism from the next academic year. It is proposed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bangalore University to offer M.Sc. in electronic media. An additional MoU with the VTU will ensure faculty development programme for the teachers in basic sciences. In reply to a query, Prof. Walikar said mineral water plant would be set up in every hostel to ensure that the students get clean drinking water.

A plan to distribute meals at Rs. 1 has been mooted and will be implemented soon, he added.

Registrar S.B. Hinchigeri and Prof. A.S. Balasubramanya were present.

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