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With IIT-Madras celebrating its golden jubilee, it is appropriate that the fifth Pan-IIT 2008 is held here from 19-21 December.
The most interesting feature of the event is the six thematic tracks running along the three days of the event. Perhaps taking a cue from what Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala is doing at IIT-Madras, the stress, for a change, is on rural India and what IIT-ians can do for them, and what some of the IIT alumni are doing silently.
Here are the six themes:
1. Research: Research is one area that has been neglected in India.
The first session is on Leveraging Research & Technology in Rural Development, and it showcases efforts by IIT alumni and others to deploy high-technology solutions in rural environments. The session also sets the framework for future developments.
The second session focuses on IIT, Research: Inputs and Outputs. As expected, the quality of research and research-scholar output from IITs (for that matter, any educational institution) depends on the quality of the input students and faculty. This session reviews this key issue, and formulates optimal strategies to upgrade IIT Research quality.
Session three is on IIT Research Ecosystem. This session discusses the issue that for IITs to succeed as well in Research as they have in UG education, an appropriate ecosystem must be in place.
2. Entrepreneurship: The objective of the theme is to identify the major gaps in entrepreneurship for India. The sessions also will see how solutions can be found in general and in particular by IIT's/ IIT-ians.
It is about building entrepreneurship/ self employment at the grass roots level and also building Indian global leaders from an early stage.
Session one is about Enabling and launching a Million Entrepreneurs. Other than talking about what is needed to create large scale entrepreneurship at the grassroots level, issues like micro-finance/ micro-equity; handholding/ mentoring both prior to becoming an entrepreneur and after the plunge also will be discussed.. Personal journey stories will be discussed too
Session two is about Building global leaders from early and growth stages of a business. The question that will be asked is, what is needed to build global leaders from India?
Session three is about IIT's Role in Nation Building through support of entrepreneurship. The session will discuss what IIT's can do to promote entrepreneurship.
3. Rural Transformation: With its main focus on the reality and challenges in Rural India today, the Rural Transformation Track will highlight some of the initiatives already taken and how they have made a positive impact at the micro level.
The sessions will try "to define how PanIIT can provide a forum to inspire and engage more IIT alumni in transforming the more than 6 lakh villages, where 70% of India lives."
There will be three sessions, and each session will have 6 or 7
Session one will be about Inspire: Learn from success stories from the field while session two is about Innovate: What breakthrough ideas will catalyze and transform rural India? Session three is about Transform - how IITs, IIT-ians and PanIIT can help transform rural development
4. Infrastructure: The focus of the theme is on the challenges and opportunities in India's infrastructure. The various interactive sessions will discuss topics such as booming opportunities, the needs and enablers for infrastructure development, successful project management and the IIT community's role in infrastructure development.
Session one is about: Infrastructure Opportunities & Problems in India. It focuses on the policy issues on infrastructure development, and how the country can have infrastructure that would compare with the first world.
The second session is on electricity and renewable energy. There is a dual focus on conventional energy and renewable energy. The context is the inadequate and expensive energy availability and the threats of climate change and security
Session three on Urban Infrastructure to make Indian cities Sustainable. This would focus on public transport, water management and sanitation systems.
5. Education: Enhancing quality and accessibility in education in India will be the key focus in the "Education Track.
Improving the quality of science and technology education, attracting women faculty and girl students to technical education and working towards educating the rural and urban poor are the main issues that will be addressed.
Transforming Education for a Better Tomorrow, Women and girl in technical education and Technical Education 2020: Role of IITs' in Improving Quality and Reach are discussed at the three sessions.
6. Innovation: Focusing on Innovation as a major milestone in India's road ahead, fostering innovation in the academic environment, in business & technology, in fine arts and the transition from innovation to entrepreneurship to enterprise will be the main topics.
Session one, Innovation & Entrepreneurship bridges between the Innovation and Entrepreneurship tracks. As session two is Innovation in Media and Creative Arts and with the Music Season in Chennai is on, renowned musicians being a part of the panel is our way of saluting this season which has become an integral part of Chennai life. In session three, Innovation Ecosystem will be discussed, that is, it is important for an organisation - whether a business, institution, a government, or an NGO - to look beyond itself, and innovate across its ecosystem.
Needless to say interesting times are ahead at PanIIT 2008.