India's 'Sincere' Bid For Scientific Excellence

New Delhi, May 17 (UNI) Expert recommendations aimed at excellence in scientific education and research ''are being implemented sincerely,'' a Parliamentary panel was today stated to have been told.

The assurance was given by Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh in the Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry yesterday, an official statement said.

The Consultative Committee deliberating on science and technology education was told that expert findings were already ''under implementation.'' The expert group was appointed under Prof M M Sharma in March 2005 to suggest ways to enhance the excellence of universities in scientific research and training.

It was empowered subsequently to monitor implementation of its recommendations.

It recommended filling up a large number of faculty position long vacant and creating 1,000 Research Scientists positions at Lecturer, Reader and Professor levels.

It also recommended setting up 10 Basic Sciences-- Physical, Chemical, Life, Material and Mathematical-- networking centres in universities across India to promote collaborative research and offer access to advanced facilities and training.

The Minister told Members that a third Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research established at Mohali would admit students this academic year, while two more such institutes at Bhopal and Thiruvanantapuram set up this year.

Members were told about three new Indian Institutes of Technology planned to be set up in Bihar, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh during the eleventh Five Year Plan.

Also on cards, they were told, were two new schools in Planning and Architecture at Bhopal and Vijaywada and 20 new Indian Institutes of Information Technologies.

Members raised issues of access to and quality of technical education, web-based learning, nano technology, besides science and technology education.

They were told by HRD officials that the government planned to set up 65 polytechnics giving each a onetime grant of about Rs 12 crores in ''especially identified districts which do not have any polytechnic at present.'' Assistance will also be given to 177 existing polytechnics to upgrade infrastructure, they said.

Also on cards was introducing double shifts in polytechnics subject to certain conditions proposed by an All India Council for Technical Education.

New land requirement norms are also proposed for establishing a new polytechnic.

Members were also told that 225 video and web based courses have been developed under the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning for use by engineering colleges.

The Ministry has also proposed a National Mission for Education using Information and Communication Technology to interlink higher learning institutions through broadband and develop e-content to be supplied through Edusat, Internet and Cable TV.

Encouraged by the success of World Bank assisted Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme, the Ministry planned to approach the Bank for a second phase.

UNI