Hyderabad, April 30: Underlining the importance of education, chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Thursday said a number of elite educational institutions have shown interest in setting up their campuses in Hyderabad.
Speaking after laying the foundation stone for a new auditorium at the Birla Institute of Technological Sciences-Pilani, Hyderabad campus, he praised the efforts of former chief minister Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy and noted industrialist KK Birla to get Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s nod in setting up the BITS campus here.
“This is the right time to recall the services of YS Rajasekhara Reddy, who made a significant mark as the chief minister by setting up many prominent institutions like IIIT, BITS-Pilani and more,’’ he added.
Kiran Kumar Reddy reiterated the state government was keen to encourage students from weaker sections while providing sufficient financial assistance.
“We provide Rs 3,500 crore every year for 25 lakh students of SC, ST, BC and minority category under scholarships and reimbursements. The government also has plans to introduce several schemes for benefit of students in near future,’’ the chief minister added.
Describing the BITS-Pilani campus as one of the milestones in the state, Dr Kallam Anji Reddy, founder chairman, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, emphasised the need to create innovations in science and technology for benefit of the common man.
He called upon parents to give freedom to their children in choosing their career path.
In his inaugural address, Prof Bijendra Nath Jain, vice-chancellor, BITS-Pilani said as one of the premier institutes in India, with world-wide reputation, BITS-Pilani was committed to fulfilling the nation’s need for outstanding graduates in fields of science and technology.
The unique features such as modular and flexible curriculum, pervasive engagement with the industry, enriching campus life have made BITS a world-class academic institution.
“We are planning to introduce new courses including research and development (R&D) and other PG courses in near future. Today, BITS produces some of India’s finest science, engineering and management graduates,’’ he added.
Home minister P Sabita Indra Reddy, MLA A Lakshman Reddy, BITS-Pilani director Prof U Sambasiva Rao were also present.
–Agencies