Date:15/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/03/15/stories/2008031552421000.htm

Back IIT alumni to present strategy papers on HR, rural development

Our Bureau

Hyderabad, March 14

PanIIT, a network of globally dispersed IIT alumni, plan to present strategy papers to the Planning Commission, some ministries such as Commerce, Human Resources, IT&C, rural development that could pave way for collaborative development.

This is part of the IITians effort to giving back to the society and share their learning to accelerate development and innovation in several spheres, including education and rural development.

Over 3,000 IITians are set to congregate at PanIIT 2008 Global conference at IIT Madras in December, and are in the process of wooing the likes of Mr Bill Gates, Microsoft Founder, Mr Ratan Tata, among others, to share experiences and exchange learning.

As a part of the build-up to the mega event, that represents over 80,000 IITians, a select group have converged in Hyderabad at the Indian School of Business for a strategy session. Such events were earlier held at San Jose, New Jersey, Washington DC, Mumbai and Santa Clara.

Addressing a press conference here today to announce the event, Mr Ashank Desai, Chairman, PanIIT, said, “we are in the process of creating White Papers on strengthening the education system and exploring ways to create Virtual IITs, which can help reach out education to more students.”

The Chairman of PanIIT2008, Mr B. Santhanam, said that the event will be hosted at IIT Madras during December 19-21. Six thematic tracks — research and technology, entrepreneurship, rural transformation, infrastructure, innovation and education, would form the focus of discussions.