Each innovation varsity will be one of its kind: Sibal

The 14 new 'innovation varsities' the government has decided to set up will be unique in the context that each university's financial, academic and research structure will be different from the other.

"These universities will be innovative in their governance, in their financial structure, in their academics and research structure, in their content and in every other way," HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said today.

The varsities will be unique institutions which will set benchmarks in academics, and more importantly, in research comparable to the best in the world, he said speaking at the golden jubilee celebration of IIT Delhi.

He said the rational behind setting up these universities is to support innovation and nurture a different mindset among students.

"These universities will deal with the issues and challenges related to hunger, water, poverty and diseases like TB and malaria through cutting age science and technology.

At the same time, there will be emphasis on liberal arts and social sciences," he said.

Earlier, he had also said one of the universities will work on all issues including city planning, water management, urban transport, housing and energy.

He also indicated the government's intention of "taking IIT abroad".

Stating that IITs are already a brand name overseas, he said, even the new IITs will not "suffice" given the burgeoning demand from students.