'Import of technology must stop'

Kanpur, June 4 (UNI) Chairman, Board of Governors, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K), C N R Rao today stressed the need for developing indigenous technology to meet global challenges.

Talking to mediapersons on the eve of the 38th convocation of IIT-K here, Dr Rao said although India had taken a quantum jump in almost all sectors, import of technology should stop in the greater interests of the country.

''There is no dearth of excellence and government is ready to release more funds for developing indigenous technology.'' Dr Rao said research activities in every branch of science and technology should be done to develop indigenous technology.

He also expressed dissatisfaction on the present state of research at IIT-K. ''The institute, which has 300 faculty members, should produce at least 250 research scholars.'' ''If we achieve technological know-how in different sectors, the question of importing technology will not arise.'' Prof Rao said several small countries like Taiwan and Korea had developed their own technology and stopped importing technology.

''We are much advanced compared to them and can well achieve the goal.'' On the proposed 27 per cent reservation to OBCs, he maintained the issue be decided keeping in mind the various aspects in higher education. The IITians sitting on hunger strike also met Dr Rao and raised their demands.

IIT-K Director S G Dhande said their demands were referred to the Moily committee, even as he suggested the students to withdraw their strike.

Dr Dhande said alltogether 936 IIT-K students would be awarded degrees tomorrow. Union Minister for Science and Technology and Ocean Development Kapil Sibal will be the chief guest.

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