BITS Pilani plans research programmes

An air-conditioned classroom and library facility along with single seater hostel room for each student at a picturesque set up: the price tag reads Rs 2,500.

Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Goa campus, will be charging the students Rs 20,000 per semester compared with Rs 17,500 being charged at the main Pilani campus.

With identical teaching module which is replicated in both the campuses, Dr T C Goel, director of the institute, wants to put the Goa campus at par with the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) and said, "Depending on the infrastructure and the quality of teaching, the seven IITs charge anywhere between Rs 17,000 and Rs 21,000. We are not only providing a world class infrastructure, but also will be putting together a research-oriented programme in place.''

As a first step to make BITS Pilani, Goa Campus, a hot spot for students, Goel has started all the courses apart from civil engineering and pharmacy courses, which generally are the last choice for the students who opt for engineering studies.

According to him, "Nine toppers of nine different boards have opted for the Goa Campus inspite of the fact that it is opening for the first time and we just hope that we will be able to deliver smoothly. BITS is the only place where integrated M Sc programme is offered along with a BE course and we hope to give more students a chance to study here.''

Almost 600 students will be admitted in the first semester on the marks normalisation basis, in accordance with the Supreme Court directive.

Goel further said, "We will take up this issue next year as in this way students from boards which give less marks suffer. Government has assured us that there will be logical discussion on the issue, otherwise as a deemed university we can always change our ways of intake. But I think this government will look into all the matters before suggesting some way.''

The institute is facing some teething financial problems too. The institute has not accepted any help from the Goa government. Its investment till now has been to the tune of Rs 148 crore apart from the 178 acres of land given free by Zuari Industries, owned by Birlas.

Now for the regular semester expenses, estimated at Rs 20 crore per year, BITS Goa has approached banks for loans at market rates against the land to make the ends meet.

Goel said, "Birla group has offered loans at 10 per cent interest, which is higher than the market rate. So we are going to the banks, but for initial three years, it will be BITS Pilani campus which will pay the interest also. We are aiming to breakeven with the first batch going out after four years and that also only for working capital.''