BHUBANESWAR: In tune with times, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) here has mooted plans to open courses in earth and planetary sciences, computer and engineering sciences soon to meet present-day demands.
This was revealed by Prof. TK Chandrasekhar, director of NISER, at a function held here yesterday to mark the first Foundation Day of the institute.
Chandrasekhar said the construction work for the full-fledged campus of NISER, spread over 300 acre in Jatni, will begin from April, and see commissioning by 2014. He, however, maintained that the current facility at the Institute of Physics (IoP), from where the NISER is operating currently, is sufficient to deliver state-of-the-art research in basic science faculties like biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics. He also informed that the institute has begun the process of hiring faculty to add to the present strength of 50. Besides, it will invite a well-known scientist to hold a colloquium on subjects taught in the institute. He indicated that eminent scientists like Prof CNR Rao, Carla Rubia, Jayant Narilkar and Cutis Callan would visit NISER in the near future.
“At present, 167 students are studying undergraduate courses whereas 36 are pursuing PG studies in the institute,” said Chandrasekhar. Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission of India (AECI), S.Banerjee spoke.