Union HRD Minister lays foundation of new projects at IIT (BHU)

Varanasi: The foundation stone of three new buildings in the Institute, Faculty housing phase-II, Morvi hostel-II for students, and Annie Besant Lecture Complex Annexe was laid by Union Human Resource Development Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ at the Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) on Thursday.

An MoU to run a 21-day induction program for new students at the institute was also signed by the IIT (BHU) and Indian Council of Technical Education (AICTE) in the presence of the minister.

Addressing the function, the minister said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi the government is committed to up-gradation of education through excellent infrastructure in top institutions. “I am happy that IIT (BHU) is doing important work in the development of the area under social entrepreneurship development under its social obligations,” he said adding that IIT (BHU) is working with the Government of Uttar Pradesh in the field of Defense Technology in the field of Precision Engineering.

Regarding the agreement between IIT (BHU) and Indian Council of Technical Education (AICTE), the IIT (BHU) director Prof Pramod Kumar Jain said that a 21-day induction program for new students will be conducted in all AICTE certified educational institutions. Its main objective will be to inform the students about the new environment, help them to adapt to that environment, to establish harmony with their senior classmates and teachers. Also, physical activity, creative arts, cultural activities, extra-curricular activities are also included. The formation of Student Council Services (SCS) will also be a key component in the interest of the students. He said that such programs were first started by IIT (BHU).

IIT (BHU) will be responsible for the development of resource materials in the forms of printed materials/ audio lectures/MOOCs to AICTE for the smooth running of the program. A joint committee of the Institute and council will also be formed which will help and evaluate this program in other educational institutions in the country. Besides, various workshops will also be organized so that teachers of other colleges affiliated to AICTE can also learn to run this program.

The Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University, Prof Rakesh Bhatnagar, Member Secretary of All India Council for Technical Education, Prof Rajive Kumar, Dean, Research and Development Prof Rajiv Prakash, Nitin Malhotra, Dr SK Gupta and were present on the occasion.