The Government has passed the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) Bill in the Rajya Sabha (RS). The bill has proposed to grant a national recognition to 5 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs). The Union Education Minister, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said that these Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) can now emerge a strong base in the field of Information and Technology (IT). The Union Education Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank declared that there are 25 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) operating in the country. Out of 25 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), the Central Government runs 5 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs). The other 15 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) are running under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
What does the Bill say?
As per the new amendment bill, there will be more 5 IIITs operational institutes in the country. All the five institutes will get the tag of national importance. The five new operational institutes will be opened in Surat (Gujarat), Bhagalpur (Bihar), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Agartala (Tripura) and Raichur (Karnataka). All the five IIIT institutes will hold the legal right of providing Diploma, Degree and PhD courses to the candidates.
The new bill has decided to amend the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIIT) Act of 2014 and IIIT (Public-Private Partnership) Act 2017.
What will be the benefits?
- The BJP MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa had asked the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the Union Education Minister, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank to put in the name of IIIT Agartala as well. A large number of students from northeast India usually have to move out/ come to the other parts of India for higher studies.
- V Vijayasai Reddy from the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), otherwise known as, Youth Labour and Farmers Congress Party said that the government must bring more Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) institutes. The introduction of more institutes such as Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) will help the students and youth to get jobs and employment. These institutes should provide qualitative education to the students as it will bring out more employment opportunities. The recent scenario of India has reflected that it is highly important for the ruling party to establish more institutes in India. The introduction of more institutes like Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) will strengthen the education of the country.
- The YSRCP RS member V Vijayasai Reddy also requested the government to establish a new IIIT in Vishakhapatnam along with Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) bench. The city of Vishakhapatnam will be a better place for setting up the new IIIT campus. India must be an international global hub for the students.
- The member of the Janta Dal (United)/ JD (U) RCP Singh recommended that the government must standardize Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs). It will help the institutes to grow further and boost more confidence amongst the students.
Major Concerns
- The member of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) K Ravindra Kumar showed some major concerns over the fees and expenditures of the courses in the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs). The majority of the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) institutes run under the model of Public-Private Partnership. The students bear the cost of all expenses.
- The major concern is about the poor children who have to bear the cost of private institutes like Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) and so many. Many deserving students are not financially fortunate. It is not easy for the poor meritorious students to bear the cost and hefty prices of these Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) institutes. The charges of Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) institutes are discriminatory towards the poor students.
- There is a principle issue of the procedure and provision of qualitative education amongst the students. The students need qualitative education to create, produce and get employment. It is extremely important that the students must be creative and ensure critical thinking in the modern industry. The new problems need a new solution and that can only be possible with the help of a creative solution. The students need to approach the problems creatively to ensure permanent solutions.
What is the focus of today’s industry?
- The Union Education Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank expressed that all the institutes must prioritize technology in the current scenario. Technologies help to provide consistency and productivity amongst the students. The students must be technologically upgraded and advanced.
- The establishing of more standardized and regulatory technical institutes and technical faculties will help the students to create employability and be more ‘Atmanirbhar.’ With the introduction of new- field careers and new-age career possibilities and growth, the students have realized that technologies have no limitations and boundaries in the coming years. The students must learn skills instead of rote learning. The bill has also noted the significance of all the states in northeast India.
- The Government of India (GOI) has contributed 50 per cent to the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs). The state governments invest and take care of the rest of the amount that holds for 15 per cent and 35 per cent.
- Today, more than 1000 students from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries collaborate with the research works in Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs).
What is the current situation?
Presently, the authorities have registered all the five Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) institutes under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. Currently, these institutes do not have the power to grant degrees, diplomas and certificates to the students.
Some Achievements
- Recently IIIT Naya Raipur has started the application process for the admission of the B Tech program of 2020. The students have to apply online by going on to the official website. The admission procedure is open until October 15, 2020.
- Similarly, the students of IIIT- BBSR have produced a low-cost device to help out the patients struggling with the coronavirus/ COVID-19. It is the first ventilation device that has helped the patients to breathe easily during their treatment.
Education is a fundamental part of the improvement of students and learners. All the state governments and the Central Government must join hands towards bringing better education to the students.
