Rs 823 cr Science Institute in Orissa gets Cabinet nod

New Delhi, Sep 6 (UNI) The Union Cabinet today approved the establishment of an autonomous National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) at Bhubaneswar, Orissa, at an estimated cost of Rs 823.19 crore.

It also approved the creation of 761 posts in academic, scientific, technical, administrative and auxiliary categories, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

The NISER campus will be completed in four years from the date of acquisition of land. Initially, it will start functioning from the campus of Institute of Physics and its academic programme will start from September this year.

''At this stage, it is expected that the schools in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biological Sciences will be established,'' he said.

The NISER will be an autonomous body under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and will be the first of its kind under the DAE umbrella for undergraduate education in basic sciences and for carrying out research in the frontiers of basic sciences.

The Institute will conduct programmes in science education for bright and meritorious students selected on all-India basis.

UNI