Sibal says IITS should play key role in technical ed

Talking on the importance of encouraging research, Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal on Saturday asked the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to lead by example in this respect and benefit technical education in India.

Talking on the importance of encouraging research, Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal on Saturday asked the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to lead by example in this respect and benefit technical education in India.

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Sibal, who was the chief guest at the IIT Delhi convocation, said, “Great research universities around the world are visible not just through their quality graduates but as knowledge creators and technology developers. It is this transition that is expected of IITs.”

“The great challenge before the IITs is to act as a catalyst in the growth of quality technical education in the country,” he added.

He, however, said that the lack of qualified faculty is a “missing link” in the growth story.

“Significant effort is required to reach out and train faculty, in both teaching and research, in other institutions as well. Here existing IITs have a major role to play,” he said.

About 1,420 students will be awarded degrees at the convocation ceremony of IIT-D this year, which is being be hosted over the weekend.