IIIT Agartala shows Tripura's talent can compete globally: Ratan

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Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday said the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Agartala had demonstrated the ability of students from Tripura to compete at national and international levels, as he attended the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the institute’s permanent campus at Mohanpur in the presence of Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu.

Nath said the establishment of the permanent campus would strengthen technical education, research and innovation in the state. He congratulated those associated with the project, describing the occasion as an important step in the development of the institute.

IIIT Agartala began its academic journey on June 25, 2018, and had gradually developed its academic and technical capabilities, with an emphasis on industry exposure, the minister said.

He said five batches had completed their academic programmes, comprising a total of 110 students. The average placement rate across the batches had remained above 80 per cent, while the first batch recorded 100 percent placements, he added.

The highest annual salary package secured by a student stood at Rs 21.99 lakh, Nath said, adding that companies such as Amazon, Red Hat and Media.net had been associated with employment opportunities for students.

The proposed permanent campus will be developed on 50 acres of land, providing scope for expanding academic activities and establishing facilities for learning and research, he said.

Emphasising the need for students to develop solutions with wider applications, Nath said talent could emerge from Tripura, but its impact should extend beyond the state.

He urged students to aspire to develop technological products and solutions that could find applications in Bengaluru, Singapore, London, Silicon Valley and other parts of the world.

At the same time, students should remain connected to Tripura’s needs and contribute to the state’s development, he said.

Nath called for stronger partnerships between the institute and technology companies, data and research institutions, and international organisations. He also stressed the need to expand opportunities for internships, live projects, mentorship programmes, innovation challenges and entrepreneurship to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the real-world economy.

The minister said the new campus should foster an academic environment in which students were encouraged to ask questions, challenge conventional thinking and develop innovative solutions.

He also emphasised the importance of creating opportunities for students to engage with emerging technologies and industry requirements.

Lt Gen (Dr) K Himalay Singh (retd), chairman of the Board of Governors of IIIT Agartala; Minister of State for Industries and Commerce Brishaketu Debbarma; and IIIT Agartala Director Prof Abhay Kumar were present at the ceremony.

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