12 Mar : Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi aims at development of Green Energy technologies-solar, hydro, geothermal and bio-mass in next five years besides integrated mountain development, construction of roads and railways, disaster management, agricultural and food processing technologies fruit and vegetables and material for electronics and electrical engineering under proposed research and development activities. This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister in a meeting with Prof. Timothy A Gonsalves, Director IIT, Mandi and Shri S. Samuel, Officer on Special Duty, Administration held here today.Chief Minister said that IIT Mandi was a dream project to realise the objective of making Himachal Pradesh a hub of world class vocational education wherein IIT Mandi, NIFT, ESI Medical College and Central University would by playing pivotal role. He said that State had been prompt in identifying suitable land at Kamand near Mandi to the full satisfaction of the Central team where self contained IIT campus was coming up speedily. He said that IIT classes had already been started at Government Degree College Mandi and additional accommodation had also been made available in the town so that classes were conducted conveniently.
Prof. Dhumal said that it was due to the consistent pursuance that the vocational education Centre of par excellence had come up in the State where students from different parts of the country were studying. He said that the institute would be producing professionals of world standard and a high quality academic atmosphere was being created. He said that the State was pursuing the Centre to upgrade Bhuntar airport with night landing facilities.
Chief Minister said that IIT Mandi aims to be a leader in technological education, creation of knowledge and new innovations globally. He said that in coming two decades the institute would emerge as a centre of world class study, where selected inter-disciplinary focus area would be on research and development. He said that institute would be competent to address real world problems including local, national and global. He said that the institution would be ensuring all round development of students by giving them exposure to real world problems. It would be ensured that high calibre professionals were produced to earn name and fame for the institute and the country as well.
Prof. Dhumal assured the Director that the State would not be lacking in any manner to facilitate the functioning of the IIT and all possible efforts would be made to provide multiple facilities within the camps. He said that additionally the approach road to Kamand would also be improved and other problems would also be resolved on priority.
Dr. Timothy A Gonsalves apprised Chief Minister that IIT Mandi would be one of the 25 Research parks being set up in the country where exhaustive research and development would be carried. He said that the IIT would be fully functional by year 2013 while workshops etc. would be made operational by May this year and some batches by next year. He urged Chief Minister to extend help in achieving the objective of completing the campus by the targeted period. He thanked Chief Minister for all the assistance IIT had been receiving from the State Government.