“The increase in student strength on campus this year has created its own challenges.”  - from our August ’09 issue

“If stories about the increase…are giving you jitters…” – from our April ’07 issue

“A new….is being planned…”  - often makes an appearance“The increase in student strength on campus this year has created its own challenges.”  - from our August ’09 issue

“If stories about the increase…are giving you jitters…” – from our April ’07 issue“A new….is being planned…”  - often makes an appearance

Rather than harp on the visibly apparent problems thrown up by a rapidly expanding student population, Prof. N. Dhang prefers to accept the fact in all its reality and prepare to meet the challenges that will undoubtedly present themselves. As head of the Civil Works Department which carries out all the construction-related tasks, he’s made available to The Scholars’ Avenue a comprehensive and detailed master-plan of all intended expansion projects. A vision of the future: in one place, in one map, for all to take note of.  Agreed, it’s only a blueprint with artists’ impressions and there aren’t accurate deadlines set for each of the projects, but the very scale is impressive: from a Nalanda to complement Vikramshila to new circulation routes that could expand our conception of a world of 2.2 kms. Furthermore, a plan laid down also becomes a plan that we, as a well-informed campus community in general, can expect and demand results from.

To be sure, there are still areas that remain fuzzy, for example the idea of a food court. Over the years, we’ve seen its location being juggled between the PAN loop and behind the Gymkhana and its form vary from an eatery to a three-story plush hangout. Or making Jnan Ghosh SF-friendly (with the help of a concrete stage, for one). As per Prof. Dhang, the student body coming forth with suggestions or specific opinions on the matter could make a difference, and he is interested in presenting his ideas to them and receiving their feedback. Prof. Dhang was in fact eager to see these designs disseminated among people of the campus.

And what is his take on the labour problem? “It’s a myth. One must not make up his or her mind that it is something which cannot be solved. The work in RP, Azad and MT halls being completed on time is proof that with effective management, these problems can be solved.”

The 56th Convocation Ceremony will commence at 12:00 noon on 17th July 2010. The Chief Guest will be Union Minister of Human Resource Development Dr. Kapil Sibal.

The proceedings will be webcast live. To watch, visit http://www.iitkgp.ac.in/topfiles/convo_live.php at 12 noon today.

Fostering technological innovation and excellence has been IEEE’s core mission from long, and its 2,000 Student Branches worldwide have been known to conduct student conferences in the same spirit. The IEEE Student Branch, IIT Kharagpur, however, is the first branch in the world that has pioneered a full-scale symposium, the IEEE TechSym 2010. Held on the 3^rd and 4^th of April, the aim of the inaugural Symposium was to expose students to full-fledged international papers and the associated quailty control and selection procedures.

More than 150 papers were received in five tracks from national and international sources. The tracks were unique in that they had a social edge to them rather than being purely technical. ‘Women in Engineering’ was specifically aimed at promoting women’s involvement in research. Screened by a reviewer board, some seventy papers were selected for presentation by the authors, some oral and others in the form of posters. Submissions were from individuals from universities across India as well as industrial organisations such as IBM India and DRDO Labs. Well known names from within the IEEE presided over the sessions. The Symposium had lectures by plenary speakers from both academic universities and the industry.

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One year back, one of us, Rohit Kumar, passed away in the most tragic of circumstances and the whole of KGP rose up demanding a rectification of the negligence that had in part caused it. One year hence we need to look back and see if things have changed. If you like us feel the need to cherish Rohit’s memory and renew a commitment to the change that needs to take place, please gather at the Institute Main Building Gole Chakkar on 22nd March 2010 at 7 PM, and light a candle in Rohit’s memory.

UPDATE: Click here to read Ankik’s Obituary written by Mithun Madhusudhan ( Ankik’s batchmate, 5th Year Undergraduate Student, Patel Hall )

Ankik Dhar, a ’09 graduate of the Department of Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering and ex BTDS Governor, passed away yesterday as an unfortunate victim of the recent Terrorist strike on a popular Pune Bakery.

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As part of the UC Berkeley-IIT Kharagpur collaboration, applications are invited for an 8-weeks summer research program at UC Berkeley. Please submit your information by Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010. Students will be selected by Friday, Feb. 19. Additional information will be shared with selected students after that.

You will be pleased to note that a larger number of departments are now part of the program — biotechnology, chemistry, chemical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, geology/geophysics, mechanical engineering, math and statistics. If students in the food and agricultural engineering have molecular biology/biochemistry expertise then would also be eligible.

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The 24-hour Ambulance Service is a free-of-cost facility provided to people in need of medical aid and quick transport to nearby health-centers/ hospitals in Kharagpur and Midnapur. However, any family in need of Ambulance to take care of an ailing patient, is also welcome to avail of the Service, whenever required. This service will come as a breather to the residents of the campus and help prevent the relapse of unfortunate incidents. Please ring this number in case of an emergency.
Mobile (Ambulance service) 03222 – 252932

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