Bhubaneswar: The foundation stone of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bhubaneswar has been laid down here at KANSAPADA ( Khudupur-Taraboi Road ) near Jatni Block Office, Khordha.

Arjun Singh, Union Minister of Human Resource Development (MHRD), who had to lay down the foundation stone of the IIT, could not attend the ceremony due to some unavoidable reasons.

The new IIT, Bhubaneswar is part of the 8 new IITs that have been established in the country by the MHRD in 2008 during the XIth plan. Orissa is also to get a new Central University under the Central Universities Ordinance, 2009 which was promulgated by the President of India on 15.01.2009.

IITs are the national pride of India. The first IIT came into existence in 1951 at Kharagpur in eastern region .

IIT Bhubaneswar is one of the new IITs to become operational with 120 students in July, 2008, which is being mentored by the IIT Kharagpur.

IIT Bhubaneswar will offer science based engineering graduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes of international standard in various disciplines.

The Central Government has taken several initiatives during the XIth plan in respect of new institution building. These include setting up of 30 new Central Universities, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, eight new IITs, seven new Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), five new Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), two new Schools of Planning & Architecture (SPAs), 10 new National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and 20 new IIITs.

The Government has provided a nine fold increase in the budgetary outlays for the higher education during the XIth Plan as compared to Xth Plan.

Capacity building in the diverse fields of basic science, engineering and technology, architecture, management will empower besides providing opportunities to the youth.

It has been decided to launch a massive National Initiative for Skill Development under which it is proposed to give assistance for the establishment of 1000 new polytechnics.

It is also proposed to upgrade infrastructure facilities of existing diploma level Government and Government aided polytechnics. In order to attract women in polytechnic education, we are proposing to provide financial assistance for the construction of women's hostels in 500 polytechnics.

The Government is also going to incentivise the States for starting new Universities, besides giving a one time grant to the States on a matching basis to develop the infrastructure of State technical institutions. With these initiatives, we hope to increase access (by 5% GER during XI Plan) with equity and excellence.

Orissa will soon have one Central University, one National University aiming for world class standards, one IIIT, and several Polytechnics in its fold.