IMPHAL, May 17: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today drew the Centre`™s attention to set up an Indian Institute of Technology, IIT in the State.
He was speaking at the inaugural function of the Administrative Block, Academic Block-I and laying of foundation stone for the PG Boys Hostel of the National Institute of Technology, Manipur at the institute`™s permanent campus at Langol today.
The Chief Minister was also accompanied by the Union Minister of State, Human Resource Development, Prof Ram Shankar Katheria during the function.
Ibobi said the Centre could upgrade the existing Manipur Institute of Technology, MIT to an IIT.
Upgrading the MIT to IIT level will not be difficult as the MIT has the adequate staff which is well qualified and the State is ready to provide the required land, the Chief Minister observed.
He said the State has been providing required land for setting up of any Central project in the State and will continue to do so.
A reputed institute in the State will be much beneficial, he said elaborating further that, Manipur being a strategically well placed gateway to the South Asian countries, setting up of any such institute will attract many students from the neighbouring countries as well as from other States of the country.
The neighbouring country of Myanmar is still lagging behind when it comes to education and as such setting up of a reputed institute in Manipur will be able to attract many students from the country which will also help in improving the relationship between the two countries, Ibobi added.
Meawhile, Prof Ram Shankar Katheria assured to provide any requirement for the development of education sector in Manipur.
Speaking at the function, Prof Ram Shankar Katheria said he will collect reports on the education scenario in the State and discuss the issue along with the concerned Union Minister.
At the same time, the State government should also apprise the Central government about its requirements to develop Education sector in the State, he said.
The MoS further directed the project manager of the NIT campus construction to maintain proper quality in the construction of the institue so that the building is strong.
There is quite a lot of hope on this institute, he said and added that students of the institute will one day bring much name and fame to the State and country.
The series of Union Ministers visiting the North Eastern States including Manipur is following an instruction of the Prime Minister, he said.
The Prime Minister has instructed the Union Ministers to look into all loopholes which are creating hindrances in developing the region and to help in their full capacities to uplift the region, he continued.
`We are not coming for picnics,` he asserted, continuing further that certain measures and steps will be taken up to develop the region.
Prof Ram Shankar Katheria also lauded the State Chief Minister for initiating the process of setting up the technology institute in the State and the concerned authority, faculty members for working tirelessly.
The function was also attended by chairman, BOG, NIT Manipur, Prof Yagnaswami Sundara Rajan; director of NIT Manipur, Dr S Birendra Singh, faculty members and other government officials.
