S. Niranjan Reddy, Vice-Chairman, Planning Board submitted representation to the Chief Minister & Chairman of Planning Board for setting up of new RGUKT (IIIT) Campus in Telangana State.
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The concept of Rural IIIT of the State government is the most promising initiative to bridge the gap of deprived opportunities to the meritorious and talented rural youth for higher education. One of the hallmarks of this institute has been promotion of gender equality in a co-education residential setup as more than 50% of the enrolled students for admission are girls. It is a rare feat and an exemplary feature which has only been possible in these institutes in the entire nation that too from countryside, since girl child is hardly seen profitable for investment in their education. Indeed, the low economic cost for students with almost zero fees for professional education with the latest pedagogy (and IT infrastructure) and bare minimum cost for food and accommodation with other amenities is a boon for the rural girl child and economically deprived strata of the countryside. In most of the cases, the scholarship aid of the state government adds to reduce the cost more significantly and zeroes the economic setbacks and hindrances. And we are very proud to state that IIIT Basar has become a beacon of great hope and fervor in the entire state of Telangana. In this regard, the initiative taken by the government of Telangana to establish another IIIT campus in ‘Wanaparthy’ District only adds more hope and enchantment to the lives of the rural hinterland.
IIIT (RGUKT) was established with an aim to provide professional technical education (6 years integrated B.Tech Program) of international standards with the latest pedagogy to the rural meritorious youth of the state in 2008. It is in close symphony with the dream of the Chief Minister to provide KG to PG education model. All it needs is an establishment of a well maintained school associated to the university under the aegis of the State Government. It is one of the best models of higher education interventions to uplift the poor and economically backward strata of the rural hinterland. The rural institute predominantly with a rural background of students will eventually have ramifications for economic and technical interventions in the rural areas. Being equipped with the best laboratory facilities and elite faculty, it will eventually make inroads to achieve research achievements in various technical frontiers under the aegis and support of the State Government and has the potential to emerge as a regional centre of excellence in a rural backdrop. Moreover, the catering of higher education needs will bring recognition of good governance From this perspective, the government may look into the possibilities of establishing three new IIITs in the southern (proposed Wanaparthy region), eastern and western Telangana regions, as there is a huge demand (for admissions) and deep aspirations of the Telangana people for the establishment of these institutes.
The State government may kindly consider the below mentioned arguments and rationale for the establishment of new IIITs in Telangana state:
- Every year, the demand and competition among the rural talented students of Telangana for admissions is escalating.
- There are limited seats & many talented students are missing opportunities.
- In the erstwhile AP, RGUKT BASAR was one among the three IIITs. But after bifurcation, ANDHRA established 3 new campuses in addition to the existing 2, wherein many students of rural Andhra got opportunity, whereas Telanaga has ONLY ONE and many talented students are missing their opportunities.
- One may consider establishing new campuses in other regions of Telangana state as it will generate local employment and education.
- After formation of TS, the emphasis was highly focused on EMERGING INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT WHICH REQUIRED QUALITY ENGINEERS. THERBY, THERE IS A NEED FOR BEST CANDIDATES with sound conceptual knowledge wherein quality education is paramount and most of the rural students can avail such high quality engineering education with establishment of more RGUKT/IIITs in the state.
- Despite students scoring 10/10 in their 10th standard, they are unable to get the seat due to limited seats. For example, in 2017 admissions: 1907 students got 10 out of 10 GPA but they were not able to get out of 19071 applications. Similarily, according to the recent statistics of 2018 admissions, RGUKT Basar have 24,441 valid applications, where nearly 3000 students scored 10 out of 10 GPA.
- The demand for RGUKT is increasing drastically after bifurcation of the state because many students of RGUKT secured AEE, power sector jobs and many also got placed in reputed MNCs and other government jobs. The absorption of passing out students being more than 80% strongly reflects the demand and aspirations for more such IIITs to be established.
- The government is incurring enormous expenditure for reimbursement in many private engineering colleges but the outcome has been very poor in terms of student knowledge, skills and placements. On contrary, even if some allocation of the same expenditure is diverted for creation of IIITs, it will be more fruitful and justify the rationale and intervention of government reimbursement scheme of fees.
- TS govt in its pursuits of meeting the demands of high quality education has increased 500 seats to BASAR CAMPUS. However, the increased seats are much meager as compared to the number of aspirants.
- In the recent past, the parents have also urged their demand to set up few more IIITs in the state. Hence, their demand and voice of concern should be addressed and considered. Even some of the newspapers have published demands from several student unions from different districts for IIITs in their respective districts, as setting of IIITs will have multifarious advantages. It would be a wise decision if the government can consider setting up 3 more IIITs in the new districts of Telangana to bestow importance to the regions and the government can also envision for establishing them in the name of Telangana renowned engineers.
- The uniqueness of this university is eminent in the state of the art laboratories, infrastructure and high quality teaching staff drawn from premier institutes of the country and has made an indelible mark for its success and rising aspirations among the people of Telangana. Similar approach for talented pool of faculty and infrastructure or as deemed fit by the State Government may be exercised for the new IIITs.
- Since the core objective of IIIT Basar is to impart education in the upcoming technologies like solar technology, biotechnogy, green technologies, rural technologies etc. Hence, its contribution to the society would be contemporarily immense and futuristic.
Considering the above facts and arguments, I request the Chief Minister to kindly consider the plea of establishing three more IIITs. As the state of Telangana is unfolding from a cocoon stage into a marvelous butterfly under your esteemed leadership, this unique educational institute may also expand its horizons under your leadership to make a strong impetus and an indelible milestone in the establishment of a golden Telangana.
