The Hindu : Karnataka News : Foundation stone for VIAT to be laid soon

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Karnataka

Foundation stone for VIAT to be laid soon

Special Correspondent

Limbavali inspects the nearly 200 acres of land identified for the project

Tribute: Minister for Higher Education Arvind Limbavali garlanding the bust of Sir M. Visvesvaraya at Muddenahalli in Chickballapur district on Thursday. Minister for Minority Welfare Mumtaz Ali Khan is seen.

CHICKBALLAPUR: Minister for Higher Education Arvind Limbavali on Thursday said that the foundation stone for the proposed Visvesvaraya Institute of Advanced Technology (VIAT), which will come up at Sir M.V.’s birthplace Muddenahalli in Chickballapur district, would be laid shortly.

Speaking to presspersons after inspecting the nearly 200 acres of land identified for the project near Muddenahalli in the serene surroundings of the Nandi Hills, Mr. Limbavali said the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) would develop the VIAT into a world-class research institute.

Besides facilitating advanced research in engineering and technology, VIAT would offer degree and post-graduate courses, he said.

VTU Vice-Chancellor H.P. Khincha said research programmes at VIAT would be designed keeping in view the technological needs of the next 20 years.

In the initial years, VIAT would focus on research in embedded technology, software quality, agricultural engineering and bioengineering. Each department would function as a “discovery-innovation centre.”

The VUT had plans to set up research sub-centres of VIAT in Mysore, Gulbarga and Belgaum, he pointed out.

Prof. Khincha told The Hindu that initially the university had planned to start an engineering college of its own. But it decided to go in for an advanced research centre as the State already had several engineering colleges.

During the past nine months, a high-level expert committee had worked out the structure and programmes of VIAT, which would offer basic and integrated courses, the VTU Vice-Chancellor said.

Prof. Khincha requested Chickballapur Deputy Commissioner Anwar Pasha to ensure that the land was handed over to VTU by the end of the year so that it could start work immediately.

Mr. Pasha said the procedures would be completed in a fortnight if the VTU paid Rs. 1.5 crore to the district administration as land charges. Mr. Limbavali and Prof. Khincha assured the Deputy Commissioner that the payment would be made.

The “bhoomi puja” would be performed after the model code of conduct that was in force in view of the byelections to the Assembly was lifted, Mr. Limbavali said.

Minister for Haj, Wakf, and Minority Welfare Mumtaz Ali Khan, who is also Chickballapur district in-charge Minister, and Principal Secretary (Higher Education) Suranjan were present.

Earlier, Mr. Limbavali and other dignitaries visited Sir M.V. Memorial at Muddenahalli and garlanded the bust of the legendary engineer and administrator.

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