Assam: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma appreciates IIT Guwahati for its contribution to the State during pandemic

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati’s Foundation Day, appreciated the contributions of IIT Guwahati in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. Sarma who was the Chief Guest today, highlighted the Institute’s support, leadership role and the collaboration with State Government Officials.

IIT Guwahati is the sixth Institute of the IIT fraternity and was established in 1994. It celebrated its 28th foundation day today, in the presence of faculty, staff, students, and Government officials, among others.

Addressing the Foundation Day event virtually, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister, Assam, said “The huge support and leadership role that IIT Guwahati has played to help our officials to contain this disease are utmost important and I acknowledge and thank the Director, Prof. T. G. Sitharam ji for the huge contributions under his leadership.”

Appreciating IIT Guwahati’s Research and COVID-19-related work, Sarma said, “The media has been highlighting and appreciating various research activities of IIT Guwahati such as the disinfectant drones, low-cost UVC LED based disinfection system, Data-Driven State-wise assessment of the COVID-19.”

“I am aware that the Institute has been providing various sophisticated instruments to National Health Mission (NHM) officials in Assam to carry out testing for COVID-19 from the initial stages of this pandemic itself. The Institute manufactured and commercialized all the COVID-19 related kits in Assam along with an industry partner. I advice the Institute to collaborate with the state to improve the standards of Science and Mathematics Education, do more consultancy with their soul and dedication and enhance outreach activities so that the State Government benefits from the expertise of IIT Guwahati faculty, students and Alumni,” added Assam CM.

Within this short span, IIT Guwahati has been ranked 2nd in India and 41st Globally in CPF (Citation per Faculty) category and 395th Globally in QS World University Ranking among many. In 2021, IIT Guwahati secured World Ranking in Petroleum Engineering.

Addressing the Event, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati said, “IIT Guwahati as an Institute realized necessity of quick shift to virtual teaching, in fact the institute had the first virtual convocation on time. We are thinking to reopen the campus for all the students earliest, we already have 2000 Research Scholars in the campus”.

Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati said, “With the vision to focus on ‘Tower of Excellence to Network of Excellence’, IIT Guwahati has signed several National and International MoU's including with several in Assam. The Institute is working towards taking up more virtual projects, a new Virtual Center is set up for Water Conservation with Australia and our ultimate aim is to be able to supply water in every village of Northeast region. We commit ourselves to strive better and create opportunities for the region”

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Addressing the event, Prof. Gautam Barua, Director, Indian Institute of Information Technology Guwahati, said, “I will stress upon quality of teaching and precisely virtual teaching. Post pandemic one will never get back completely to old style of teaching, online teaching will continue partially. Students will seek for online supplement material and we as teachers should be prepared for the same. Hybrid Teaching will be the new normal and teachers should be update them with new Technology and Tools. Additionally, AI and ML are going to be the buzz words and topics to be pursued.”

As the Institute steps to its 28th year, it ensured and will continue to make its space in all the top National and International rankings and the vision is to always climb up the ladder.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. R. I Modi, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Guwahati, said, “The Institute has improved its position in Overall World Ranking to 350 in Nature Index Ranking and Ranked within top 10 in India overall as well as four subject categories. It has been ranked 7th (Engineering and Overall) in National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) conducted by Ministry of Education, Government of India, in the year 2020 and we are hoping this ranking to further improve this year. In Outlook Magazine and India Today also it has ranked in the top universities in India. This is a clear indication of the recognition the institution is getting from across the globe for the progress and efforts it has made in this short duration.”

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