PM likely to lay foundation of Mohali science inst on Sept 27

Chandigarh, Aug 26 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to lay the foundation stone of a science institute at Mohali, near here, on September 27 to promote higher learning and research in science and technology.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal said suitable site for the Rs 500 crore institute has been selected in Mohali. The total requirement of land for this project is 200 acres.

The proposed science institute at Mohali will be the fourth such institute after Banglore, Kolkata and Pune.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the Mohali institute would have academic programmes in major areas in Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences and Computer Science. In addition to these programmes, the institute would admit post Doctoral fellows.

When fully established, the institute will have a total student strength of 2,055 in the Integrated M.Sc. programme and in the doctoral and post doctoral programme.

Mrs Bhattal, who also holds the portfolio of Minister of Higher Education, visited the Bangalore institute recently where she had a meeting with the management and faculty members.

The objective was to study the basic structure and academic atmosphere of the first Science Institute of India.

Professor P Balaram, Director of the institute and Prof N Balakrishnan, Associate Director and all faculty members, welcomed the Deputy Chief Minister and made a presentation about the history and working of the institute.

UNI VKJ JS PA RK1910