NIT Tiruchy to revamp research, teaching

CHENNAI: Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday will launch NIT (National Institute of Technology) Tiruchy’s ambitious five-year strategic plan to revamp research and teaching to prop up the institute among top 500 institutes in the world.

The top-ranked institute among 31 National Institutes of Technolgy in the country in NIRF rankings,  is currently ranked 800 to 1000 in world rankings.

“The strategic plan 2019-2024 is aiming to revamp teaching, research, collaboration with industry and infrastructure facilities,” NIT Tiruchi director Mini Shaji Thomas told reporters here on Wednesday.

Institute currently boasts the strength of 6,500 students including 600 foreign students. 

One of the key parameters for world rankings is foreign faculty and foreign students. “As of now, there is no provision to recruit the foreign faculty members,” she said.

The minister will also launch the first Centre of Dynamic Excellence (CoDEs) that has been set up at the cost of '190 crores with Siemens as the technology partner.

“The centre would facilitate a multi-disciplinary learning environment across technology, engineering, science and management. It is intended to bridge the gap between industry requirements and technical education,” she added.

“It will impart training for engineering, polytechnic and ITI students leading to job placements. It also can offer consultancy and research and development services to industries including in design and validation, advanced manufacturing, automation, mechatronics, robotics and electrical and energy savings,” Mini Shaji Thomas said.

Of the total cost, Siemens will give 90% of the fund and NIT Tiruchi will give the 10% of the total budget.

During the event, a hardware hackathon competition also will be launched. 

The institute also plans to develop a full-fledged research park to incubate the start-up companies.