BANGALORE: It has been 10 years since the Visvesvaraya Technological University(VTU) was established to impart technical education across the state. Yet the university has not made its mark in research activities.
Towards this end, the university has decided to set up its own research institute on the lines of IIT or IISc.
To draw up a blueprint for its own IIT, VTU had set up a committee under the chairmanship of Goa University former Vice- Chancellor B S Sonde. The committee report - which lists the vision, mission, aims and objectives of VIAT - has been approved by VTU’s executive council, the highest decision-making body.
As per the report, VIAT will be a complementary institution and not compete with the affiliated colleges and other PG departments of the university. Under the current proposal, a main campus is to be established at Muddenahalli in Chikballapur district, the birthplace of Sir M Visvesvaraya. Sub-campuses will be subsequently established in a phased manner in Belgaum, Gulbarga and Mysore.
Summary of the programmes proposed by the committee
- 10-semester integrated technology programmes: These will be integrated M Tech programmes which will be conducted in multiand inter-disciplinary subject areas such as engineering design, energy technologies, bio-informatics, computational fluid dynamics, etc. The first five to six semesters will be conducted at a selected autonomous college of VTU, considered good enough to fill in for VIAT.
- 10-semester integrated technology/ management programmes: These will be integrated engineering- cum-MBA programmes, in which students will do an engineering course for the first five to six semesters, followed by a stint at VIAT. The MBA component will include programmes in management of human resource systems, finance, technology, etc.
- Four/six-semester masters programme: These are post BE or B Tech courses which will include either inter- or multi-disciplinary technical programmes or management programmes. The courses can be done either on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Doctoral programme by research: Post M E/M Tech/MBA or equivalent level, in a number of multi- and inter-disciplinary areas.
Research and development
VIAT will also undertake research and development (R&D) projects sponsored by government agencies such as DRDO, ISRO, UGC and international organisations such as the World Bank, UNDP and European Union. Other activities proposed include setting up of a faculty development centre, staff development centre, distance education centre and community service centre.
Waiting for govt nod
Speaking to Express, VTU Registrar Dr KVA Balaji said that the university’s executive council had approved the Prof Sonde report, and had sent it to the state government for approval.
