IIT Mandi to Launch Extension Campus in Palampur

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IIT Mandi to Launch Extension Campus in Palampur

Synopsis

IIT Mandi is set to establish an extension campus in Palampur, spanning approximately 52 hectares. This initiative aims to enhance higher education and technological development in Himachal Pradesh, offering specialized courses and creating local employment opportunities.

Key Takeaways

  • IIT Mandi to establish an extension campus in Palampur.
  • Campus will cover nearly 52 hectares of land.
  • Specialized courses in AI, drone technology, and sustainable tech.
  • Boost local employment across various sectors.
  • Strategic location with improved connectivity.

Shimla, Feb 2 (NationPress) In a remarkable milestone for the landscape of higher education and technological progress in Himachal Pradesh, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi is poised to launch an extension campus in Palampur covering approximately 52 hectares of land.

The announcement took place on Sunday by Gokul Butail, Principal Advisor (Innovation, Digital Technologies, and Governance) to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, in Palampur.

Butail, who is also a member of the Board of Directors of IIT Mandi Catalyst, the institution's startup incubator, mentioned that he has been a strong proponent for the extension of IIT into Palampur.

To facilitate this, 22 hectares of land at Bhagotla village has already been leased to IIT Mandi by the Technical Education Department, while an additional 31 hectares will be sent for forest clearance to the Central government.

Palampur, which is home to esteemed institutions like Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya Agricultural University and CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, benefits from enhanced connectivity.

The upcoming completion of the four-lane highway will shorten travel time to the Pathankot broad gauge railway line to less than two hours.

Moreover, the anticipated expansion of Dharamshala (Gaggal) Airport will further improve access to the region.

The new IIT Mandi Extension Campus is set to provide specialized courses in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence, drone technology, sustainable technology, and management programs, encouraging innovation and research.

Beyond academic excellence, this campus is expected to boost local job creation, generating opportunities across skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled sectors.

Butail highlighted that this initiative signifies a pivotal move towards Chief Minister Sukhu's vision of transforming Palampur and Kangra into a leading technology hub in northern India, fortifying the region's status as a center for education, research, and innovation.

During his visit to Himachal Pradesh in 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi evaluated the landslide monitoring and early warning system developed by IIT Mandi.

The Landslide Monitoring System offers alerts for soil movement through hooters and blinkers installed on roads, communicated remotely via text message. Additionally, it provides rainfall warnings in advance if precipitation exceeds 5 mm.