This was stated by V K Singh, Director of IISER Bhopal. Singh, who is also in charge of IISER Berhampur, said 50 to 60 students would take admission in the first batch depending on the availability of the space for classrooms.
The IISER Bhopal director was here yesterday to take over a building of ITI for functioning of the premier institute. An agreement was signed between Principal of ITI, Rajat Panigrahi and Singh in presence of additional district magistrate (revenue) Sitanshu Rout, Registrar of IISER Bhopal, K S Murty and executive engineer (works) Binod Padhy.
"We'll give 14,000 sq ft on the second floor to the IISER on rent," said Panigrahi. Singh said they would modify the building before starting classes and other offices.
The state government has promised to provide the third and fourth floors of the building next year to accommodate more students, said Singh. The third and fourth floors are under construction, officials said.
Around 200 acres have been identified at Loudigam near Gopalpur for permanent campus of IISER.