Conversion of IT-BHU to IIT

Sub: Conversion of IT-BHU to IIT-Petition from IT-BHU Community

Respected Sir:

We, the alumni, students, faculty and staff of the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (IT-BHU), are deeply disturbed by the contents of the resolutions of the Executive Council of BHU, which met on February 21, 2009 to consider the MHRDs plan to convert IT-BHU into an IIT.

As you may kindly recall, the MHRD and the Union Cabinet have in principle decided to take over IT-BHU, convert it into an IIT and integrate with IIT system, as per PIB notifications dated March 28 and July 17, 2008. In February 2009, you had spoken to the Honble HRD Minister and he had assured that the IT-BHU would be converted into an IIT. A few days later, there was another press release on your behalf on February 10, 2009 and an announcement by the Honble Rector before the agitating students of IT-BHU that the University is committed to the conversion of IT-BHU into an IIT. However, the version of the EC resolutions which have come in the media does not reflect the commitments made by the University and is also not in consonant with the MHRD and the Union Cabinets decision for the takeover of IT-BHU, its conversion into an IIT and integration with the IIT system in the country. This has puzzled us beyond our imagination, as we have been sincerely hoping that IT-BHU will be converted into IIT from July 2009 session. In view of the above, we appeal to you to kindly stand by your commitments made to us all along for the conversion of IT-BHU into IIT-BHU. We sincerely believe that with your kind help, strong support and active persuasion in this matter, IT-BHU will become an IIT very soon. From this conversion, Malaviyajis great Institute of technology will be given the due respect and status in National and International scenario and days will come when it will become one of the outstanding Institutes in the World.

We request you to kindly take all necessary steps for removing the obstacles/ confusions arising out of the EC resolutions in connection with the conversion of IT-BHU into an IIT. We earnestly request you kindly to convene a meeting of BHU Executive Council as soon as possible and kindly have the following agenda discussed and approved:

1) Kindly accept the decision of the Union Govt. to convert IT-BHU into an IIT and integrate with IIT system in the country. After the conversion, IIT-BHU will be governed only under the proviso of Institute of Technology Act, 1961. However, it will still be an inseparable and integral part of BHU in terms of its physical location, existence, tradition and common heritage.

2) Kindly consider and approve that Vice-Chancellor and an elected nominee of Executive Council of BHU be the ex-officio members of IIT-BHU (Varanasi) Governing Board. In addition, two members may be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor of BHU to be the members of Senate of IIT-BHU. This will obviously ensure the participation and contribution of BHU in the Governance of IIT-BHU.

3) Kindly approve the retention of IIT-BHU, Varanasi in the same campus in order to remain an inseparable and integral part of BHU and to maintain the close linkages (academic, professional, social etc) with BHU and to uphold the noble vision and objectives of its founder, Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviaji.

We can assure you, Sir, that the culture and ethics instilled by our Visionary Founder will continue to prevail in the same spirit. We can also assure you that you will be respected and remembered as an another Visionary in the History of IT-BHU for taking such an innovative step for making IT-BHU into an World Class Institution. IT-BHU fraternity will be grateful to you forever.

With best regards,

Yours sincerely,

The Alumni, Students, Faculty and Staff of IT-BHU, IT-BHU Global Alumni Association