GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
 

7 Technological manpower production is admittedly the basic function of the IITs. The product has to be excellent in quality, relevant to the technological needs of the country, motivated to give of its best and have a commitment to the country. (Para 3.1)

10

8 The goals and tasks of these institutes in their process of development have to relate continuously to:

- significant and notable changes that are taking place in the socio- economic development of the country; and

- rapidly exploding universe of knowledge in science and technology. (Para 3.1)

_ To preserve IITs' character as institutes of national importance and to maintain their leadership and pacesetting function in technological education, research and extension and to be able to produce the kind of technological manpower set out above, their goals must be:

- to excel in teaching, research and in all aspects of academic activity and produce a high quality science- based engineering student;

-to survive on specialisation, work increasingly in front line areas that transcend disciplines;

- to have a perception and a value system appropriate to the pursuit of high engineering science to meet the critically evaluated needs of the society;

- to programme into their activities emerging technological needs with a futuristic outlook;

- to accept extension and public service as a third dimension to their role in addition to education and research;

- to attain a stature that enables them to provide leadership with credibility. They should be the "think- tank" for higher technological education;

- to aim at preparing more of creative engineers, innovative thinkers and engineer entrepreneurs;

- to develop a special nexus with rural development mainly by way of involvement in technology-based solutions for problems in rural areas;

- to maintain and foster interactive linkages with leading technological institutions and centres of research in India and abroad. (Para 3.2)

10 It is against this broad conceptual background that the recommendations of this Committee are based. It is expected that if the recommendations are accepted and acted upon, changes will be clear and visible in a five years of time. (Para 3.3)