New NIT-T Director unveils plan of action

The new Director of National Institute of Technology – Tiruchi (NIT-T) S.Sundarrajan on Friday unveiled his plan of action to leverage the institution's front-ranking position for forging strategic partnerships with industries so as to accord a fillip to research and development, and establishing centres of excellence through tie-ups with institutions in UK, USA, and other countries.

On the one hand the Ministry of Human Resource Development was providing full support for enhancing quality of higher education, and on the other illustrious alumni settled in developed countries were enthusiastic about doing their part for taking NIT-T to the top position ahead of IITs.

Currently ranked seventh next to five IITs and the Birla Institute of Technology, Pilani, NIT-T, has the potential to make it to the top. Funds were not an issue, Dr.Sundarrajan said in his interaction with media persons.

The National Institute of Technology – Tiruchi has chalked out a plan to establish six to seven Centres of Excellence in interdisciplinary areas over the next three years.

To begin with, the institute will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Karaikudi-based CECRI (Central Electrochemical Research Institute) to create a Centre of Excellence for Corrosion.

A corrosion lab to be established for the purpose will offer consultancy service. The CoE will involve the participation of faculties from all related departments including Civil, Metallurgy, Electronics and Chemistry. There is no single institution working on all major aspects of corrosion.

The CoE would take the expertise of CECRI and take off with national and international funding mobilised from government agencies and alumni, the new Director of NIT-T, S. Sundarrajan, said on Friday.

Likewise, CoEs in other vital areas including avionics, nanotechnology, energy security, cyber security would be established to cater to international requirements. The institute would soon have a tie-up with C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing), Dr. Sundarrajan said.

The CoEs once started will evolve as vibrant institutions by themselves and offer programmes. Teams of faculties from different departments would be formed for the purpose, the NIT-T Director said, adding that the CoEs would draw strength from influential alumni in developed countries, and industries.