Kochi: The dream of Kerala to have Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in the state became a reality with classes commencing for first year students in a temporary building in Palakkad on Monday. The Union Human Resources Minister Smriti Irani felicitated the first batch students through video-conferencing.
Classes began with an inaugural address by Kris Gopalakrishnan, a founder member of Infosys. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, director Chennai IIT and several others took classes on the inaugural day.
According to Prof. P. B. Sunil Kumar, principal in charge of Palakkad IIT, Chennai IIT will be mentoring the Palakkad IIT in its initial years.
The official inauguration of the Palakkad IIT is scheduled to be held on November 1, marking the formation of Kerala, to be attended by Smriti Irani, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and others.
The temporary campus of the IIT was opened at Ahayala Complex in Kanalpirivu near Walayar at a colourful function.
The first batch comprised 117 students including 12 from Kerala. The campus now offers Bachelors programmes in civil, mechanical, electrical and computer engineering courses.
The students who have got admission in Palakkad are those who secured ranks between 2,800 and 10,000 in the IIT joint entrance examination.
The Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely had announced the establishment of IIT in Kerala during his budget speech in July.
The minister had then announced the establishment of five new IITs in the country. The state government was officially intimated about the decision on September 26.
The State Government has already earmarked 500 acres for setting up the IIT in Puthusserry and the land acquisition is progressing.
The government is expected to hand over the land to the union ministry of human resources development by December.
The design and construction of the building for the permanent campus will be the responsibility of the HR ministry.
The construction work for the permanent campus is expected to be completed in three years. According to projections, Palakkad IIT campus will have 10,000 students and a 1,000 strong faculty members in 10 years.
