IIT-Ropar to start three new courses

Tribune News Service

Ropar, September 3

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, will start new disciplines, including civil engineering, chemical engineering and biotechnology. A fast-track task force has been formed for the purpose. In the first phase, civil engineering will be started from the next session.

Professor Sarit K Das, who took over as the new Director of the institute, said while taking up new courses and research work at the institute, priority would be given to the needs of people in the region.

The three courses would help in the progress of the two agrarian states of Punjab and Haryana, he said. “These courses were imperative to bring a sea change in fields such as water resources, soil management, irrigation, fertilisers and bio-waste management,” he said. At present, the institute offers three degrees — Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering, Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering and Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering. Besides, it offers admissions for Ph.D in Computer Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Humanities and Social Science.

Professor Das, who was a professor and Dean at IIT-Madras, said many areas of Punjab were struggling with the problem of cancer. The IIT-Ropar in association with IIT-Mandi and the PGI, Chandigarh, would work in the field of medical imaging.