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June 2009 
ITBHU converted to IITBHU: Chronicle March issue
Posted on Apr 23rd, 2008
by 
Vishnu ...
Vishnu ...
ITBHU converted to IITBHU: Chronicle March issue
100 =) Editorial: IIT Special
120 =) Government announces conversion of IT-BHU to IIT
The recent news (announced on Friday, 28 March, 2008) about the government’s decision to set up a total of 8 new IITs during 11th Five-Year Plan (March 2007 – February 2012) and convert our institute into an IIT has spread like a wild fire. The students and faculty at our campus have overcome with joy and they are awaiting a bright future. The news has also brought cheers to our alumni, administration and to our University.
The Chronicle shares joy with our community. We have planned to celebrate the event with special articles about the news and process for conversion into an IIT. We are publishing several articles to cover the issue. This includes ‘FAQ ‘and ‘What Next’ to give more details about the IIT process. There are articles on “Why IIT” and “published media”.
We have also listed major newspapers which carried the news. More news and discussion can be found on our parent website at www.itbhuglobal.org.
121 =) FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about conversion of IT-BHU to IIT-BHU
(By: Yogesh K Upadhyaya)
The recent govt. announcement to convert our institute into an IIT has filled our hearts with joy. It has also created anxiety about the issue. The Chronicle has contacted the authorities to get the idea about the IIT news and process. We hope our readers will find it useful.
Please note that the information given here is correct at the time of publishing. It may change over a period of months.
________________________________________________________________________
Q-1: What does the govt. announcement say?
The announcement (made on Friday, March 28, 2008) says that govt. plans to convert IT-BHU into an IIT. It is the only institute selected this time for conversion based on the criteria of its long-time association with IIT-JEE exam and quality of standard comparable to IITs.
It says:
“In addition, it is also proposed to convert the Institute of Technology of the Banaras Hindu University into an IIT. Admission to this Institute is already based on the IIT – Joint Entrance Examination.”
Q-2: Is the news real?
Yes, the news is real and there is no doubt about it. In the past, we used to get similar news (about our institute being selected for upgrade), but they were published by few newspapers, showing some sort of possibility. This time the news was carried over by all the major news media. It was also published by govt. Press Information Bureau:
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=36955
The above news was announced by our HRD Minister Shri Arjun Singh in a press conference. He also added that the list of IITs is approved by our Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Our alumni association has independently verified the news with HRD Ministry, our Vice Chancellor and our Director.
Q-3: What will be new name of our institute after conversion?
After completion of all formalities and approval, our institute shall be called “IIT-BHU, Varanasi”. This is to reflect the emotional attachment to our University and our desire to continue collaborating with other faculties (Science, Medical, Management, Law, Agriculture, etc.), as stated by our VC during teleconference with a group of our alumni.
Q-4: Will it be an IIT?
It will be exactly same as other IITs. It will have same funding, same brand image. Except that it will be still a part of BHU. It will have financial, academic and administrative autonomy similar to IITs. It will be part of league of all established and new IITs. It will have exactly same standard of curriculum, same pay scale for faculty, even same logo as that of IITs.
Q-5: What about administration?
The institute shall have the same mode of governance as that of IITs, including the post of Director and Registrar. However, the Chairman of the Board of IIT-BHU shall always be the Vice-Chancellor of the University, while in other IITs he is an outside person nominated by the government. Govt. has already stated that new IITs (including ours) will have administrative structure somewhat different than the existing IITs.
This is because we have emotional ties with our university since the inception of our college in 1919. It is unthinkable that our university can be separated from its only engineering college.
Q-6: What will be the conversion process?
The conversion of our institute into an IIT is a complex political process, involving incorporating it into the IIT Act and also modifying BHU Act. More details is provided in a separate article “IIT-BHU announced, what next?”
Q-7: How long the conversion will take?
As per our information, it will start very soon and it will be over very quickly. As a first step, a bill to support new IITs shall be introduced in the coming monsoon session of the parliament (July-August).
The entire process may take less than a year (according to our VC). This is because general national election is planned for May 2009; and any change in the new govt. at center may change the plan for new IITs.
If everything goes as per the plan, our institute may become an IIT before the end of next academic year (June 2008-April 2009). In that case, students graduating in 2009 will get an IIT-BHU certificate.
Till that time, we shall continue to be known as IT-BHU.
Q-8: Any obstacles or concerns about conversion process?
Since the plan is already approved by the central govt. and the cabinet, we do not see any problems during conversion process. However, we have to watch out for the milestones such as parliament modifies IIT Act.
We also have to wait for approval of separation of our faculty from the university by the BHU Executive Council and modification of BHU Act by the parliament. This rule is also applicable for conversion of Institute of medical Sciences-BHU to AIIMS, which is already announced by central govt.
(http://www.itbhuglobal.org/chronicle/archives/2007/05/#001681)
Q-9: What are the benefits of becoming an IIT?
Benefits of becoming an IIT are too much to list. Please refer to our special article “Why we opted for an IIT status?”
Q-10: What about govt. funding?
With becoming an IIT, we will receive more govt. funding. To begin with, we will start receiving annual funding from the central govt. immediately, from the next academic year (June 2008-April 2009). Currently our institute receives about Rs. 50 crores /yr. From next academic year, it will be at par with other IITs. IITs receive Rs. 110 crores/year on average, apart from Rs. 30-50 crores/yr as research funding.
Besides, we shall also receive funds to improve our infrastructure. The amount is to be decided, but it will be generous.
122 =) Why we opted for an IIT status?
This is question being asked by the overwhelming majority of our community who supports conversion, as well as a small group of minorities who feels that IT-BHU had its own brand image. Let us outline the advantages of becoming an IIT:
a) More govt. funding:
One immediate benefit of becoming an IIT is the increase in govt. support and funding. Our annual funding of Rs. 50 crores /year will increase to IIT level (average of Rs. 110 crores/yr) starting from next academic year (June 2008-April 2009). We will also receive about Rs. 30-50 crores of research grants per year, just like other IITs.
We will also receive generous amount of funding to improve our aging infrastructure. The amount is yet to be finalized. It will help improve our hostels, staff quarters, departments, labs, workshop, lecture halls, libraries, facilities, computer center, internet connectivity, etc.
b) Attracting students:
The academic standard of our college was always at par with IITs. With the official recognition, we will receive more number of students with better IIT-JEE ranks. With more hostels, departments, etc. in place due to planned infrastructure improvement, we can accommodate more students. Currently, we admit about 600 undergraduate (B. Tech) and 200 M. Tech students each year.
c) Attracting faculty:
Currently we have about 280 strong faculty on our campus. We also have very good faculty to student ratio of 1:7, compared to IITs, which have ratios ranging from 1:8 to 1:10. With increased funding due to coming IIT status, we can hire more faculties. For the past two years, we have kept on hold a plan to hire 110 more teachers.
With IIT status and brand name, we will be able to attract the faculty as we need. The existing and new faculty will receive IIT pay-scales, which is higher than current UGC (University Grant Commission) pay-scales. Also, the lowest faculty position in an IIT scheme is that of Assistant Professor (compared to lecturer position in current UGC scheme), giving further advantage to teaching staff.
d) Attracting campus jobs:
Our college already enjoys perfect placement for campus jobs. For the past several years, our TPO (Training and Placement Office) has been able to attract diverge companies for campus interview and provided placement to ALL the students who opted for it. For undergraduates, there is on average two offers per student.
After becoming an IIT, we will see many companies making bee-line to our campus with higher pay-package. We shall then be able to attract diverse and global companies in finance, banking, management, cutting-edge research, etc. We will also witness some direct overseas posting for our graduates.
e) Better brand image and recognition:
With acquiring IIT status, our public image will vastly improve. With the blessing of our parliament, we shall become INI (Institutes of National Importance) and shall receive special govt. funding and support. With becoming a part of IIT league, our prestige will enhance further nationally as well as internationally. This will help our students to get training/internship/study abroad.
f) Improving ranking:
With IIT tag, our magazine ranking will improve. In last year’s rankings by 3 national magazines, we came within top 10 in two of the magazines. Now we will try to come within top 5 or even among top 3 engineering colleges.
With so many IITs (now16 including all announced) coming up and as some of the NITs are also improving their rankings, it would have been difficult for us without IIT tag to come even among top 20 colleges. This would have affected our public image, quality of admitted students, job placement, etc.
123 =) IIT-BHU announced, what next?
This is the first question that comes into the mind of our community after hearing of news. Sine our institute will be converted into an IIT, the govt. steps required are somewhat different than those for brand-new IITs.
Based on the past conversion of Roorkie University to IIT-Roorkie in 2002, we can learn about the possible steps. We have learnt from our authority that the entire process may take less than a year. If we apply business model of project management, we can assume the following chart with % progress of completion:
Step # Step % complete
1 Govt. announce its plan for conversion of IT-BHU into an IIT 20%
2. Govt. modifies IIT Act, 1963 in the parliament 50%
3. BHU Executive Council approves separation of IT from BHU 60%
4. Govt. modifies BHU Act, 1915 in parliament 80%
5. Govt. notifies the institute and university to go ahead for IIT status 80%
6. University and institute complete administrative formalities, inform govt. 85%
7. Govt. announces in parliament about IIT-BHU and sends final notifications
to university, institute, IIT board and state govt. 90%
8. A notice is published in govt. gazette Extraordinary. 95%
9. The institute starts functioning as an IIT. 100%
124 =) Campaign for IIT status in published media
Our struggle for getting an IIT status and due recognition was helped by several people, including our alumni as well as other noted writers, who helped create mass awareness about this sensitive issue. These well-informed and well-documented articles in national news media helped form informed opinion among decision makers, noted faculty of reputed technical institutes and common mass alike. Several of these articles have been considered as classic articles and found well acceptance and used as reference for Google Search, used as citations, posted on Wikipedia and debated across the country.
a) Articles by Yogesh K Upadhyaya (Chemical 1977) in Rediff.com
1) The making of new IITs, March 23, 2005
http://www.rediff.com/money/2005/mar/23iit.htm
2) New IITs: A long Journey ahead, May 25, 2005
http://us.rediff.com/money/2005/may/25iit.htm
3) The march of the new IITs, August 18, 2005
http://in.rediff.com/money/2005/aug/18guest.htm
4) New IITs: A report card, December 27, 2005
http://rediff.co.in/money/2005/dec/27iit.htm
5) The IIT story: IIESTs, 3 new IITs on way, September 28, 2006
http://in.rediff.com/money/2006/sep/28iit.htm
b) Article by Yogesh Upadhyaya and Arvind Gupta (Electronics 1992)
India's top 20 engineering colleges, June 28, 2005
http://www.rediff.com/money/2005/jun/28spec.htm
c) Article by Sanjay Dani (Computer Science 1987)
IT-BHU: A seat at the IIT table?, May 23, 2005
http://www.rediff.com/money/2005/may/23iit1.htm
d) Article by S. S. Vasan, Rhodes Scholar
IIT-Varanasi: a pipe-dream? April 04, 2005
http://www.hinduonnet.com/edu/2005/04/04/stories/2005040400141000.htm
e) Article by Chitta Baral, owner of http://newiits.blogspot.com/
For IIT upgrade, an alternative roadmap, July 11, 2006
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/8266.html
________________________________________________________________
100 =) Editorial: IIT Special
120 =) Government announces conversion of IT-BHU to IIT
The recent news (announced on Friday, 28 March, 2008) about the government’s decision to set up a total of 8 new IITs during 11th Five-Year Plan (March 2007 – February 2012) and convert our institute into an IIT has spread like a wild fire. The students and faculty at our campus have overcome with joy and they are awaiting a bright future. The news has also brought cheers to our alumni, administration and to our University.
The Chronicle shares joy with our community. We have planned to celebrate the event with special articles about the news and process for conversion into an IIT. We are publishing several articles to cover the issue. This includes ‘FAQ ‘and ‘What Next’ to give more details about the IIT process. There are articles on “Why IIT” and “published media”.
We have also listed major newspapers which carried the news. More news and discussion can be found on our parent website at www.itbhuglobal.org.
121 =) FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about conversion of IT-BHU to IIT-BHU
(By: Yogesh K Upadhyaya)
The recent govt. announcement to convert our institute into an IIT has filled our hearts with joy. It has also created anxiety about the issue. The Chronicle has contacted the authorities to get the idea about the IIT news and process. We hope our readers will find it useful.
Please note that the information given here is correct at the time of publishing. It may change over a period of months.
________________________________________________________________________
Q-1: What does the govt. announcement say?
The announcement (made on Friday, March 28, 2008) says that govt. plans to convert IT-BHU into an IIT. It is the only institute selected this time for conversion based on the criteria of its long-time association with IIT-JEE exam and quality of standard comparable to IITs.
It says:
“In addition, it is also proposed to convert the Institute of Technology of the Banaras Hindu University into an IIT. Admission to this Institute is already based on the IIT – Joint Entrance Examination.”
Q-2: Is the news real?
Yes, the news is real and there is no doubt about it. In the past, we used to get similar news (about our institute being selected for upgrade), but they were published by few newspapers, showing some sort of possibility. This time the news was carried over by all the major news media. It was also published by govt. Press Information Bureau:
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=36955
The above news was announced by our HRD Minister Shri Arjun Singh in a press conference. He also added that the list of IITs is approved by our Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Our alumni association has independently verified the news with HRD Ministry, our Vice Chancellor and our Director.
Q-3: What will be new name of our institute after conversion?
After completion of all formalities and approval, our institute shall be called “IIT-BHU, Varanasi”. This is to reflect the emotional attachment to our University and our desire to continue collaborating with other faculties (Science, Medical, Management, Law, Agriculture, etc.), as stated by our VC during teleconference with a group of our alumni.
Q-4: Will it be an IIT?
It will be exactly same as other IITs. It will have same funding, same brand image. Except that it will be still a part of BHU. It will have financial, academic and administrative autonomy similar to IITs. It will be part of league of all established and new IITs. It will have exactly same standard of curriculum, same pay scale for faculty, even same logo as that of IITs.
Q-5: What about administration?
The institute shall have the same mode of governance as that of IITs, including the post of Director and Registrar. However, the Chairman of the Board of IIT-BHU shall always be the Vice-Chancellor of the University, while in other IITs he is an outside person nominated by the government. Govt. has already stated that new IITs (including ours) will have administrative structure somewhat different than the existing IITs.
This is because we have emotional ties with our university since the inception of our college in 1919. It is unthinkable that our university can be separated from its only engineering college.
Q-6: What will be the conversion process?
The conversion of our institute into an IIT is a complex political process, involving incorporating it into the IIT Act and also modifying BHU Act. More details is provided in a separate article “IIT-BHU announced, what next?”
Q-7: How long the conversion will take?
As per our information, it will start very soon and it will be over very quickly. As a first step, a bill to support new IITs shall be introduced in the coming monsoon session of the parliament (July-August).
The entire process may take less than a year (according to our VC). This is because general national election is planned for May 2009; and any change in the new govt. at center may change the plan for new IITs.
If everything goes as per the plan, our institute may become an IIT before the end of next academic year (June 2008-April 2009). In that case, students graduating in 2009 will get an IIT-BHU certificate.
Till that time, we shall continue to be known as IT-BHU.
Q-8: Any obstacles or concerns about conversion process?
Since the plan is already approved by the central govt. and the cabinet, we do not see any problems during conversion process. However, we have to watch out for the milestones such as parliament modifies IIT Act.
We also have to wait for approval of separation of our faculty from the university by the BHU Executive Council and modification of BHU Act by the parliament. This rule is also applicable for conversion of Institute of medical Sciences-BHU to AIIMS, which is already announced by central govt.
(http://www.itbhuglobal.org/chronicle/archives/2007/05/#001681)
Q-9: What are the benefits of becoming an IIT?
Benefits of becoming an IIT are too much to list. Please refer to our special article “Why we opted for an IIT status?”
Q-10: What about govt. funding?
With becoming an IIT, we will receive more govt. funding. To begin with, we will start receiving annual funding from the central govt. immediately, from the next academic year (June 2008-April 2009). Currently our institute receives about Rs. 50 crores /yr. From next academic year, it will be at par with other IITs. IITs receive Rs. 110 crores/year on average, apart from Rs. 30-50 crores/yr as research funding.
Besides, we shall also receive funds to improve our infrastructure. The amount is to be decided, but it will be generous.
122 =) Why we opted for an IIT status?
This is question being asked by the overwhelming majority of our community who supports conversion, as well as a small group of minorities who feels that IT-BHU had its own brand image. Let us outline the advantages of becoming an IIT:
a) More govt. funding:
One immediate benefit of becoming an IIT is the increase in govt. support and funding. Our annual funding of Rs. 50 crores /year will increase to IIT level (average of Rs. 110 crores/yr) starting from next academic year (June 2008-April 2009). We will also receive about Rs. 30-50 crores of research grants per year, just like other IITs.
We will also receive generous amount of funding to improve our aging infrastructure. The amount is yet to be finalized. It will help improve our hostels, staff quarters, departments, labs, workshop, lecture halls, libraries, facilities, computer center, internet connectivity, etc.
b) Attracting students:
The academic standard of our college was always at par with IITs. With the official recognition, we will receive more number of students with better IIT-JEE ranks. With more hostels, departments, etc. in place due to planned infrastructure improvement, we can accommodate more students. Currently, we admit about 600 undergraduate (B. Tech) and 200 M. Tech students each year.
c) Attracting faculty:
Currently we have about 280 strong faculty on our campus. We also have very good faculty to student ratio of 1:7, compared to IITs, which have ratios ranging from 1:8 to 1:10. With increased funding due to coming IIT status, we can hire more faculties. For the past two years, we have kept on hold a plan to hire 110 more teachers.
With IIT status and brand name, we will be able to attract the faculty as we need. The existing and new faculty will receive IIT pay-scales, which is higher than current UGC (University Grant Commission) pay-scales. Also, the lowest faculty position in an IIT scheme is that of Assistant Professor (compared to lecturer position in current UGC scheme), giving further advantage to teaching staff.
d) Attracting campus jobs:
Our college already enjoys perfect placement for campus jobs. For the past several years, our TPO (Training and Placement Office) has been able to attract diverge companies for campus interview and provided placement to ALL the students who opted for it. For undergraduates, there is on average two offers per student.
After becoming an IIT, we will see many companies making bee-line to our campus with higher pay-package. We shall then be able to attract diverse and global companies in finance, banking, management, cutting-edge research, etc. We will also witness some direct overseas posting for our graduates.
e) Better brand image and recognition:
With acquiring IIT status, our public image will vastly improve. With the blessing of our parliament, we shall become INI (Institutes of National Importance) and shall receive special govt. funding and support. With becoming a part of IIT league, our prestige will enhance further nationally as well as internationally. This will help our students to get training/internship/study abroad.
f) Improving ranking:
With IIT tag, our magazine ranking will improve. In last year’s rankings by 3 national magazines, we came within top 10 in two of the magazines. Now we will try to come within top 5 or even among top 3 engineering colleges.
With so many IITs (now16 including all announced) coming up and as some of the NITs are also improving their rankings, it would have been difficult for us without IIT tag to come even among top 20 colleges. This would have affected our public image, quality of admitted students, job placement, etc.
123 =) IIT-BHU announced, what next?
This is the first question that comes into the mind of our community after hearing of news. Sine our institute will be converted into an IIT, the govt. steps required are somewhat different than those for brand-new IITs.
Based on the past conversion of Roorkie University to IIT-Roorkie in 2002, we can learn about the possible steps. We have learnt from our authority that the entire process may take less than a year. If we apply business model of project management, we can assume the following chart with % progress of completion:
Step # Step % complete
1 Govt. announce its plan for conversion of IT-BHU into an IIT 20%
2. Govt. modifies IIT Act, 1963 in the parliament 50%
3. BHU Executive Council approves separation of IT from BHU 60%
4. Govt. modifies BHU Act, 1915 in parliament 80%
5. Govt. notifies the institute and university to go ahead for IIT status 80%
6. University and institute complete administrative formalities, inform govt. 85%
7. Govt. announces in parliament about IIT-BHU and sends final notifications
to university, institute, IIT board and state govt. 90%
8. A notice is published in govt. gazette Extraordinary. 95%
9. The institute starts functioning as an IIT. 100%
124 =) Campaign for IIT status in published media
Our struggle for getting an IIT status and due recognition was helped by several people, including our alumni as well as other noted writers, who helped create mass awareness about this sensitive issue. These well-informed and well-documented articles in national news media helped form informed opinion among decision makers, noted faculty of reputed technical institutes and common mass alike. Several of these articles have been considered as classic articles and found well acceptance and used as reference for Google Search, used as citations, posted on Wikipedia and debated across the country.
a) Articles by Yogesh K Upadhyaya (Chemical 1977) in Rediff.com
1) The making of new IITs, March 23, 2005
http://www.rediff.com/money/2005/mar/23iit.htm
2) New IITs: A long Journey ahead, May 25, 2005
http://us.rediff.com/money/2005/may/25iit.htm
3) The march of the new IITs, August 18, 2005
http://in.rediff.com/money/2005/aug/18guest.htm
4) New IITs: A report card, December 27, 2005
http://rediff.co.in/money/2005/dec/27iit.htm
5) The IIT story: IIESTs, 3 new IITs on way, September 28, 2006
http://in.rediff.com/money/2006/sep/28iit.htm
b) Article by Yogesh Upadhyaya and Arvind Gupta (Electronics 1992)
India's top 20 engineering colleges, June 28, 2005
http://www.rediff.com/money/2005/jun/28spec.htm
c) Article by Sanjay Dani (Computer Science 1987)
IT-BHU: A seat at the IIT table?, May 23, 2005
http://www.rediff.com/money/2005/may/23iit1.htm
d) Article by S. S. Vasan, Rhodes Scholar
IIT-Varanasi: a pipe-dream? April 04, 2005
http://www.hinduonnet.com/edu/2005/04/04/stories/2005040400141000.htm
e) Article by Chitta Baral, owner of http://newiits.blogspot.com/
For IIT upgrade, an alternative roadmap, July 11, 2006
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/8266.html
________________________________________________________________
Access: Public
