Union Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday said IITs are based on the concept of promoting research and innovation where the students can begin startups on the IIT campus itself.
The Central Government has allocated Rs20,000 crore for promoting research and innovation in IITs, he said.
The foundation of nation's progress is based on developing a sound education system, the Minister said.
The Central Government is laying stress upon quality education. The main motto is quality education for all, he said, while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of IIT, Bhilai, at Shejbahar-based Government Engineering College premises here.
Both Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar jointly lit the lamp and inaugurated the function.
Notably, this is the first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chhattisgarh and 23rd in the entire country. The classes will be held at
the Shejbahar-based Government Engineering College till the Bhilai campus building is completed.
The Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering classes will commence at the outset.
Javadekar also announced in his address that Mining Engineering course also will be launched from the academic year 2018-19 at IIT Bhilai.
He appreciated the efforts of Chief Minister Raman Singh in expanding the scope of Technical education in the entire State. The Central Government is extending all possible help to the State in this regard, he said.
“They (IIT freshers) have passed through one of the toughest examinations in the country and entered the portals of higher learning”, Javadekar said in his address .
The Union Minister expressed hope that the students will bring laurels not only to Chhattisgarh but to the entire country. He stressed upon the need for research and innovation in the field.
Indian youth has contributed a lot in the development of Google, Facebook, Twitter, Windows and WhatsApp although they may not have invented social media, Javadekar said.
Chief Minister Raman Singh in his address said that IIT Bhilai will build the future generations. The main focus is to improve the quality of primary education in the State.
All higher education institutes have been opened since the inception of Chhattisgarh State 16 years ago. Only IIT was missing and that dream has also been fulfilled now, he said.
State Technical Education Minister Prem Prakash Pandey said that IIT for Chhattisgarh was planned in the year 2007 and the dream had been materialised on Sunday.
Chhattisgarh had produced 68,000 engineers till date but today is the Golden Day in the annals of Chhattisgarh's history, he said.
Bhilai is an education hub of the State. The inauguration of IIT will prove to be a milestone, Pandey said.
Notably, there are 118 students (105 boys and 13 girls) in the current academic year at IIT Bhilai. IIT, Bhilai is being mentored by IIT, Hyderabad.