IIT Rajasthan snippets

The French are all set to provide technical knowhow to Rajasthan’s brand new IIT. Corporates such as Airbus will impart training and technological inputs to students at the new institution. “The French ministry of higher education and research is on the verge of signing an MoU with India’s Ministry of Human Resources to help India start its new IIT with the latest French technology,’’ said Jacques Valade, the French ambassador at large for the Asian region. French corporates are willing to back the new IIT. These will include the European Aeronautic Defence and Space company (EADS), which owns Airbus. “Our collaboration with the new IIT will focus on aeronautics, energy as well as newer forms of technology and design,’’ said Valade, adding that India was in need of new forms of energy to meet its requirements. Valade was in Mumbai on behalf of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to enhance the French presence in India’s scientific, industrial, cultural and academic sectors. When asked how soon France would be willing to pitch for the new IIT, Valade’s answer was: “Immediately.’’ The terms of cooperation have not yet been finalised. Valade said that France would be happy to provide faculty whenever required for the IIT. There is a chance the new institution will be in Jaipur. “I have personally spoken to the vice-chancellor of Jaipur University about the new IIT. I asked him if he had a problem with the idea of an institution such as IIT in Jaipur, which would compete with the university. He, however, said he would be happy to have such an institution in the city. According to him, Jaipur University had a large number of students from Rajasthan, while the new IIT would be pan-Indian,’’ said Valade.