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Journalism of Courage
Building brand IIT in a big way,increasing seats in existing IITs rather than starting new ones,liberalising PhD entrance systems,reviewing performance of the directors on parameters like raising resources,consultancy,research and industry collaboration and financial independence of institutes were among issues discussed at the IIT Council meeting in New Delhi.
The Pallam Raju-led HRD ministry has in principle acceded to IITs demand of that instead of getting accredited by National Board of Accreditation,IITs own and arguably superior internal and external review systems be accepted.
IITs feel NBA accredits institutes for a minimum threshold of quality while IITs have far more rigorous and superior quality standards by which they review themselves. Their view is that these should be accepted by NBA and there should not be any further need for getting accredited through NBA mode. NBA will decide if this IIT external review system is acceptable to them. We will soon hold a meeting with NBA,Pallam Raju said. The minister argued this did not amount to exempting IITs from accreditation as the external and internal reviews of IITs to begin from this year would ensure quality parameters are maintained.
Raju said against the backdrop of global academic rankings,it has been conveyed to IITs that they have failed to build IITs as a brand and a concerted effort is needed. Directors have been asked to suggest measures. IITs have been asked to focus on increasing seats,especially post graduate,to ensure more PhDs.
