IIT News
PanIIT Newsletter
Volume 2, Edition 1, May 2008
DA Event Hyderabad, 14th March 2008
The DA event in Hyderabad was synchronized with the Outreach for 2008 Event at the ISB on evening of 14th March. About 30 DAs attended. Besides routine matters and updates, Prof.MGK Menon chaired a session on trying to understand how PanIITs could be of use to the IIT system. He suggested that PanIIT should involve the IITs proactively and act as a forum for discussion and setting agendas for the IIT system to follow. Ajit Rangnekar, Dean ISB, conducted a lively session on how DAs can contribute to PanIIT.
Advisor Appointed
We welcome Mr. Satya N. Zinda, (IITK Alumnus), appointed as an Advisor in Delhi for all interactions with the Government of India (GOI). As an advisor he will co-ordinate all PIAI interactions with GOI. He is currently dealing with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, which has shown keen interest in PanIIT initiatives to foster entrepreneurship and generate alternate sources of income specifically in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
PanIIT under its mission ‘Nation Building’, has had a round of discussions with the Ministry of Panchyati Raj to identify projects on which the two organisations can work together. A visit to Yavatmal was made and a plan of action worked out. Immediately, mini cotton mills which could give farmers value addition and a source of revenue after the harvest is being implemented. Up to 5 mills will be set up within a year and the process of identifying the sites is on.
India Brand Equity Fund (IBEF)
There has been some dialogue with IBEF who want to associate with global events to project India strongly. PanIIT can assist to provide BRAND AMBASSADORS. IBEF will be ready to finance a book and film on IITs and IITians.
Reach 4 India
Reach4India is making steady progress and hopes top launch a few projects by 15th August. The basket of projects contain a driver finishing school, welding school, rural BPO, Rural Business Hubs in Yavatmal, etc.
Indo US Collaboration for Enineering Education (IUCEE)
Under this initiative, US faculty experts from renowned institutions will be training experienced Indian faculty using latest tools of effective teaching and learning. The Indian faculty in turn will take the lead and conduct similar training workshops for junior engineering faculty in their respective regions and colleges in fundamentals and content. A wide range of research collaborations are expected to originate from the networks formed between Indian and US faculty and as a result enhance the quality and quantity of research relevant to the development of India, and global economies.
Kris Gopalkrishnan inaugurated a workshop on 26th May at the Infosys Campus. Total faculty participating over the 6 week period is about 600. The faculty representatives, mostly from colleges in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat will be participating in the programme. However, 15% of the participants are from the other parts of the country. The two-month workshop includes course specific content, teaching effectiveness and leadership training on how to impart engineering education in order to ensure that students learn.
Montek Alluwhalia Meeting for Vocational Education,
A meeting with Montek Singh Alluwhalia took place where a presentation was made on the emphasis we need to give to Vocational Education & Training. We also gave him comments on the note prepared by CII on Vocational Education, which he had given us for review.
IITians for ITIs
Several alumni have started taking active interest in ITIs near them. Some have joined the ITI’s Institute Management Committees. Interactions with CII have started and are working towards an MOU for PanIIT to act as knowledge partners for CII where their members have partnered ITIs. An MOU is finalized with L&T ECC, for using course content developed by them in specific trades to be used in other ITIs. Jointly with CII, work is progressing on preparing a ‘Blue Book’ to act as guidelines for the operation of ITIs.
Global Conference Chennai 2008
The Global Conference in Chennai 19th to 21st December 2008 is progressing and on-line registrations are in progress. Please register immediately, if not already done. For more details and latest updates visit http://www.paniit2008.org
