Jaipur: The Indian Institute of Technology, Rajasthan (IIT-R) has been temporarily shifted to the engineering faculty building of Jai Narain Vyas University according to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Jodhpur over the weekend.

Students of IIT-R earlier had to rely on IIT-Kanpur and other institutions to attend classes.

IIT-Rajasthan founder-director P. K. Kalra and JNV University Registrar Nirmala Meena, in the presence of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot who was on a visit to Jodhpur, signed the MoU.

The CM also inaugurated the work to extend the building.

Gehlot pointed out in an official press release that the establishment of IIT in Jodhpur was recommended and headed by the noted economist V.S. Vyas after he studied the facilities and educational standard of various towns in the State.

"The final decision to nod for an IIT in the city was accepted at the central level," added Gehlot.

He further announced that the construction of a new building in Rajasthan would require some time, and for the time being the classes would be held in JNV University while those in the extended portion of the building would begin from May his year.

Following special efforts made by the state government Mr. Gehlot said that the union government has also nodded to use the newly constructed A.S.K. Hostel in the university for IIT students.

"The establishment of an IIT in the state would definitely boost its higher education and will prove to be a milestone," said Gehlot.

According to the MoU, it approves the functioning of IIT-Rajasthan only on temporary basis for two years in the engineering faculty building.

State Technical Education Minister Mahendrajit Singh Malviya and JNV University Vice-Chancellor Naveen Mathur signed the MoU as witnesses.

Among others, Jodhpur MP Chandresh Kumari, Barmer-Jaisalmer MP Harish Chaudhary, Jodhpur Mayor Rameshwar Dadich, Deputy Mayor Niyaz Mohammed and Collector Naveen Mahajan were present on the occasion.