IIIT ranks at 10 among Tech Institutes

The DataQuest survey ranks our institute at the 10th position among all the technical institutes in the country. It was ranked at 14th last year. So kudos to ourselves once again. However one point that should be noted is that 25% of the rating is based on the perception of the IT industry and that is why our institute has managed to barge into the top ten. More can be found out here.

ps- Thanks to Gaurav Somani of the 2k2 batch for the info.

Vacate thy hostels

There's an ongoing grumbling regarding vacating the hostel by the passing out batch. They were asked to vacate by 15th June. Later, this was converted to a pay-and-stay till June 30th. The only catch was that one would have to pay Rs 100/- per day, after 15th. Since several students don't have a place to go and some have not yet received confirmation from their companies, they feel homeless. Some feel dejected. Thinking that they had already paid till June 30th, UG4 students requested for a clarification. Turns out, that the payment was for the semester only, not the whole 6 months; or at least that's what the hostel warden confirms.

The administration has the tight schedule to prepare for accommodation for the fresh students, while the passing out batch has nowhere to go yet. Deadlock.

Workshop on Research Focus

A two-day Brainstorming Workshop on 'Research Focus: New Models for Higher Technical Education' started today morning. Many eminent researchers and educationalists are attending the workshop. They include NASSCOM president, Kiran Karnik, and director and researchers of several IITs.

Campus was abuzz with rumours that the President would be coming. The actual rumour was that the President would attend the Jeevan Vidya at IIIT. It was plain rumour.

Alumni Fund Bye Laws Announced

The bye laws governing the IIIT Alumni Fund were announced yesterday by Dr Jayanthi Sivaswamy, Alumni affairs coordinator. Provisions have been made to simplify the contribution process. One can contribute with  (i) Credit Card (ii) Online Bank Transfers and (iii) Cheque/Demand Draft.
The main objectives of the Alumni Fund are:

• To create an alumni fund in IIIT to use for various activities proposed from time to time.
• To create students scholarships to the deserving and the needy students for full and partial financial assistance
• To create cutting-edge technology research labs in the premises of IIIT
• To create infrastructure facilities in IIIT for setting up teaching labs or construction of buildings, etc
• To award loans to research students for undertaking international travel to participate in conferences to present papers in case where such funding is not available from other sources
• To award best FYP (BTP), MS and PhD Thesis
• To award Teaching assistantships and research assistantships

The aid to students will be interest-free. People desirous of availing aid will have to make a written application to the Institute stating the extent of the aid sought. The operation of funds will be deliberated by a 8 person committee (6 alumni + 2 IIIT faculty).

Stationary shop robbed

The stationary shop located in the basement of NBH was robbed yesterday
night. The lock was broken open, and about Rs 1000/- plundered. Police
turned up for investigation. The police have sought permission from the
administration to question some students as well. It is reported that
the robber was carrying a bag, which he hurriedly left behind, while the
security was on rounds at night. The bag contained a Microsoft mouse and
some tools.

DC++ gone

Following speculations of a crackdown, DC++ is gone. The server is down,
and with it disappears all sharing on the intranet. This summer is
turning out to be a dry one.