VISAKHAPATNAM: THE Kharagpur IIT will be the Academic Mentor institute for Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE) which will start classes in the current academic session. VS Shenoy, special officer on behalf of the IIPE, and Prof Sunando Das Gupta on behalf of the Kharagpur IIT signed an MoU on Thursday for mentoring the new institute for three years in Andhra University.
To function from the AU Engineering College, the IIPE will start classes on August 1 with two UG courses of BTech in Petroleum Engineering and Chemical Engineering, using the resources of AU College of Engineering (A) such as the lecture halls, teaching laboratories, library, workshops and other technical facilities. However, the IIPE campus at Sabbavaram will be ready in three years.
On the occasion, Prof Sunando Das Gupta said, “We will play a major role in curriculum development, in providing faculty on temporary basis and the functioning of academics will be advised by the IIT.” “Also once the faculty and UG courses are run in full-fledged manner, we would be likely to involve in joint research in various fields in 1-2 years,” he added.
Joint secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, Sushma Rath said: “A capital investment of `655 crore will be made by the Central government for the 200 acres free land allotted by the state government at Sabbavaram to construct buildings and create infrastructure for the IIPE.” She added that the main aim of the IIPE in the city is to fulfil the demand of manpower in downstream sector by 2020 and in bridging the skill gaps existing today in the fields of oil and gas exploration, refinery, petroleum and renewable energy.
“As the labs and other equipment of the AU can be used by the UG students on part-time basis, we are not introducing PG courses for now but the PG will be likely to get started from next academic session,” she added.
Each course will have 50 students with a fee structure of `1,50,000 per annum. Admissions will be based on JEE advanced. District collector N Yuvaraj was present.