Agartala, Oct 15 (PTI) Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Thursday said the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Agartala had demonstrated the potential of students from Tripura to compete at national and international levels, as the foundation stone for the institute’s permanent campus was laid at Mohanpur in the presence of Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu.
Nath said the proposed campus would strengthen technical education, research and innovation in the northeastern state, describing the occasion as a significant milestone in the institute’s development.
IIIT Agartala began its academic journey on June 25, 2018, and has progressively expanded its academic and technical capabilities, with a focus on industry exposure, the minister said.
Five batches have completed their academic programmes, comprising 110 students, while the average placement rate across the batches has remained above 80 per cent, he said.
The institute’s first batch recorded 100 per cent placements, while the highest annual salary package secured by a student stood at Rs 21.99 lakh, Nath said.
Companies such as Amazon, Red Hat and Media.net have been associated with employment opportunities for the institute’s students, he added.
The permanent campus will be developed on 50 acres of land, providing scope for expanding academic activities and establishing infrastructure for learning and research, the minister said.
Emphasising the need to develop technology solutions with wider applications, Nath said students from Tripura should aspire to create products and innovations that could find relevance in technology hubs such as Bengaluru, Singapore, London and Silicon Valley.
However, they should also remain connected to the state’s requirements and contribute to its development, he said.
Nath called for stronger partnerships between the institute and technology companies, research institutions and international organisations to improve students’ exposure to emerging technologies and industry requirements.
He stressed the need to expand opportunities for internships, live projects, mentorship programmes, innovation challenges and entrepreneurship, saying such initiatives would help bridge the gap between classroom learning and the real-world economy.
The minister also said the new campus should encourage an academic environment where students could question conventional approaches, exchange ideas and develop innovative solutions.
He expressed confidence that the permanent campus would help the institute expand its academic reach and create more opportunities for students in technical education and research.
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 among those present at the ceremony.
