NORTH GUWAHATI, Dec 8 - Around 120 students and 20 teachers have arrived from eight North-Eastern States at the IIT-Guwahati to participate in the Ishan Vikas programme 2015, the inauguration of which took place at the Dr Bhupen Hazarika auditorium of the institute on Monday morning. Ishan Vikas is a comprehensive programme to introduce school children (classes IX and XI) from the north-eastern States to IlTs, Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) and the National Institute for Advanced Studies (NIAS) during their vacation periods. The programme is sponsored by the MHRD and IIT-Guwahati is the coordinating institute.
Inaugurating the programme, Professor Gautam Biswas, Director of IIT Guwahati spoke about the weightage given to aptitude (60%) and achievement (40%) in the educational institutes of the Western world whereas in India, a different weightage is given to aptitude (30%) and achievement (70%). A shift towards more weightage to aptitude is the need of the hour to bring about a positive change in the education system in the country and to promote excellence. He said that the students of North-east are full of potential and can be at the forefront of their chosen fields if given a chance and exposure. He named a few academicians from India who are holding the positions of Deans in many Western universities/institutions today to describe the ability of Indian students to shine at the top. He wished the participating students an enriching and memorable experience during their stay in the campus where they will interact with and learn from top professors from IlTs, IISERs and NIAS through class work, laboratory work, fun- filled workshops and visits to important places of the city.
This year, around 500 students and 80 teachers from north-eastern States are visiting nine IlTs (including IIT-Guwahati), 3 IISERs and NIAS in groups of 30-40 students during the month of December, 2015.
