The Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry would try to introduce the legislation to give Cochin University of science and technology (Cusat), the status of an Indian institute of engineering science and technology (IIEST) in the winter session of parliament, said HRD minister of state Shashi Tharoor.
Speaking to TOI, the minister said that both Bengal Engineering and Science University ( BESU) and Cusat need legislation to convert to an IIEST and hence the ministry was keen to introduce the bills in the next session of the parliament. “I understand that there is an opposition to the idea from some members of the faculty, but as a university you need to upgrade into a national status,” said Tharoor.
However, the state may not get an IIT in this Plan period, he confirmed. “The IIT for Kerala will in all likelihood not happen immediately as the Planning Commission is not keen on giving IIT to a state that already has an IIM, central university, IISER and will also get an IIEST (Cusat). However, as a MP from the state, he would try to ensure that it gets into the next Plan period, “But my argument is Kerala needs an IIT as the state is an educational hub,” he added. Tharoor said.
Earlier, he presented the Kulapati Munshi award for the best school to Sunitha S, principal, Bhavan’s Varuna Vidyalaya, Thrikkakara. The school received the award for standing first among the 90 Bhavans schools of India on the parameters of scholastic & non-scholastic achievements in the last academic year.