Space science institute to be set up: Cabinet

New Delhi, Apr 26 (UNI) The Cabinet today gave its approval for the setting up of Indian Institute of Space Science&Technology (IIST) to meet the severe shortage of highly talented graduate and post-graduate scientists experienced by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

IIST will be set up with an initial investment of Rs 270 crores and annual recurring cost of Rs 40 crores, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters.

Pending development of the regular campus of the Institute, the courses will commence from the academic year 2007-08 itself in an alternate campus in the premises of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.

The campus and other infrastructure facilities will be completed within 24 months. To enable close interaction with ISRO, the Institute will be located close to Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in Thiruvananthapuram.

The Institute will have an intake of 150-200 students per annum.

The entire expenses of the course will be supported by ISRO in the form of scholarships and assistantships. All the high performing students coming out of this Institute would be absorbed into ISRO stream.

The setting up of Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, similar to the IITs, will provide high quality undergraduate and postgraduate education in Space Technology and Science and Post Graduate and research programmes in Space Science and Technology and integrated Masters in Space Science with customized curriculum meeting with the high technology requirements of ISRO mitigating the problem of acute shortage of quality human resources for ISRO.

UNI