We can surely add five more IITs without diliting the quality or compromising on the exclusivity of IITs. We have got ways to go before we reach anything even remotely approching saturation of IITs. For one thing the face of IITs are changing as they are increasingly opening up to industrial research and reducing dependence on Govt aid. With the manufacturing and R&D companies on the raise there is increasing need for more basic and initial research to move to universities. The existing 7 IITs will not be able to handle the increased demands of the industry. "In 2002, in comparison with the 2.3 per cent of applicants who won admission to the IITs, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which are among the most selective undergraduate institutions in the U.S., admitted 10.5 per cent and 16.2 per cent of their undergraduate applicants." There is lot of room for growth and the the decision of Govt to open 5 more IITs is very welcome. -sds
Yes we do need more IITs because it would create more opportunities. India needs to justify the young talents that go waste because of the meagre number of seats available in IITs. Who says that the ones who never got through IIT examinations, don't deserve to be there? Very talented students get knocked out because of the sheer intense competition. We need more seats to let those talents get what they deserve. The entire concept of the exclusiveness of the IITs is maddening because it is entirely insane to conclude that mere 3500, from a billion derserve honor and proper livelihood. More opportunities would be a small step we ought to take to bring about academic justification in our nation. I have infinite respect for talent and believe in its deserved appraisal.
RE:IIT's
by shalini on Oct 20, 2003 07:35 PM Permalink
its great that government is increasing the number of IIT but what about the primary and secondary schools in the villages where in many schools dont have proper rooms and toileting facilities for students.Primary and secondary educational facilities are the need of the hour..
No doubt there is always need for quality education in India. Instead of setting up brand new colleges and call them IITs, it is better to select some reputed institutes already established and bring them in as IITs. For example, RECs, BITS Pilani (no Mesra) etc.
This move highlights the typical indian mentality of making students work ("rote") hard to become engineers or doctors only. Why doesn't the govenrment spend the same money to upgrade the infrastructure in the country, or to improve other educational and vocational institutions that do not have the same glitter as IITs? Leave the IITs the way the are. And the RECs are doing a great job on their own too. Spend the same money to upgrade the primary and secondary education institutions in the rural areas and give the students there a chance to make it too !!!
RE:More IITs
by Prian on Oct 21, 2003 05:07 PM Permalink
I guess each of these 'other' great institutions have their own pride and really wudn't want to be labelled IITs. Especially BITS Pilani which has its own system of admission and has a totally 'holistic' approach to education. I mean each has its own personality and wudn't want 2 b clubbed together.
