Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar today inaugurated the first campus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Jammu. The institution and the campus will be built over 500 Acres of land at Jagti, Nagrota. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said with the opening of IIT Jammu will fulfils the long pending demand of the people that will transform the region as an educational hub and the institution would become a flag bearer of the intellectual capacity of the country.Congratulating the students who made it into IIT Jammu, the Minister stated that IITs are recognized world over as premier institutes of academic excellence, adding that they are the privileged ones who will foster the ambitious ‘Make in India’ programme.Calling upon the students and the faculty of IIT to promote research and innovation culture, the Minister said that the government has contemplated various programmes to give impetus to the research in various fields. He said government contemplates to start IIT power programme for providing free coaching and guidance to the aspiring IIT students which shall greatly help students in fulfilling their dream of entering these premier institutes. “The focus of the government is on quality education and all stakeholders shall partner in this endeavour to take the country on the zenith of technical and academic brilliance” said the Minister .
The Minister also announced Rs.100 crore for setting up of research infrastructure in NIT Srinagar, besides upgradation of institutes of higher and technical education in the state.Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State in Prime Minister Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that opening of premier institute like IIT marks a new chapter in the development of the state and a step close to a vision to promote Jammu and Kashmir as a new education hub. He said IITs hold the repute of one of the finest institutions imparting quality education and Jammu campus should also strive for this excellence for carving a niche for itself. He said thrust needs to be given on creating an identity of the institution for which he suggested that exclusiveness holds the key so that students pursue career in the emerging fields enhancing their employability quotient.
While congratulating the students on making it to the IIT Jammu, Dr Jitendra Singh exhorted them to be the torch bearer of the Start Up India campaign and said that these are the privileged ones to be the architect of the new India.He also stressed upon the faculty to cultivate a sense of esteem in students for their field so that they strive for excellence in the courses they pursue and carry out new innovations.He said that setting up of IIT was an ambitious project and students should be provided good facilities and conducive environment free from any disturbance.On the occasion Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh said both Central as well as State governments have taken various historic initiatives for developing education sector. He said with the inauguration of IIT, a foundation has been laid for making Jammu an education hub. “With the starting of the classes in IIT Jammu, a foundation has been laid for making Jammu an educational focal point of the country and various other prestigious institutes like IIM, AIIMS, IIMC are also coming up which will definitely give a new identity to the state in addition to being a beautiful tourist destination,” he added.
Deputy Chief Minister assured the students and their parents that adequate steps will be taken to provide conducive environment with all facilities in the campus .Minister of State for education, Priya Sethi while extending her best wishes to the people and students on the occasion said that setting up of IIT in Jammu along with five other IITs was a landmark decision which will produce quality and technical manpower that will help to contribute immensely in the growth and development of the country.Speaking on the occasion, Member Parliament, Jugal Kishore Sharma congratulated the people of the State and also expressed gratitude to the HRD Ministry for providing all support for establishment of IIT Jammu.Among others who were also present on the occasion included, Member Parliament Shamsher Singh Manhas, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Choudhary, Additional Secretary MHRD, Mr. R Subrahmanyam, Director IIT Delhi Prof. V. Ram Gopal Rao, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Commissioner/Secretary Higher Education, Sarita Chauhan, IGP Jammu, Danish Rana and large number of people.