IIT-B in expansion mode

As part of its expansion programme, the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) plans to enroll 8,250 students by 2014-15, of which 66 per cent would be in post-graduate courses.

"As a result of all-round efforts spanning over two decades, we will achieve our first milestone by 2014-15 when among 8,250 students enrolled, the distribution of under- graduate and PG students would be around 2,700 (33.3%) and 5,500 (66.6%) respectively," IIT-B Director D V Khakhar said at the convocation ceremony here last evening.

IIT-B's student intake has been steadily increasing and compared to 4,310 students on roll in 2001-02, the number has gone up to 5,865 in 2008-09.

 

In academic year 2009-10, the institute implemented the second phase of the 27 per cent OBC reservation by offering admission to 18 per cent candidates from the backward community without reducing general category seats, he said.  

Talking to the media, Chairman of IIT-B's governing body Anil Kakodkar said the preparatory programme for SCs/STs has given good results and "we are sure in a few years time, things will improve and we need not have reservation at all."  

"Once the students gain self-confidence, reservation will not be necessary. Already, a large number of students (from reserved categories) are getting admitted under general quota," he said.   

As many as 1,616 degrees were awarded at the convocation ceremony.  

Khakhar said the institute is committed to retain its leadership position in the field of engineering education in the country.  

Regarding the faculty appointment at its satellite centres at Gandhinagar and Indore, he said, "We are taking professors from Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology at Indore and have appointed 22 faculty members for Gandhinagar."