he   University
                               Grants
                       Commission       has
                       constituted            a
                       National          Task
                       Force                 for
                       formulating         the
action plan for implementation of HRD aspects of Science & Technology Policy 2003, under the Chairmanship of Prof. S.K. Joshi, Commission Member. The other members of the task force are: Prof. R.S. Sirohi, Director, IIT, Delhi (nominee of AICTE); Prof. S. R. Gadre, University of Pune; Prof. B.B. Chattoo, Vice Chancellor, Mata Vaishno Devi University, Jammu; Prof. A.K. Sood, Dept. of Physics, IISc., Bangalore; Prof. V. Krishna Kumar, Dept. of Mathematics, Calicut University; Prof. H.S. Mani, IMSc., Chennai (nominee of DST); Dr. V. Rao Aiyagari, DST, New Delhi (nominee of DST); and Dr. Latha Pillai, NAAC, Bangalore. The first meeting of the Committee was held 

in UGC, New Delhi on 5th February to work out the specific strategy to be adopted.
The Science & Technology Policy 2003, presented by Prof. Murli Manohar Joshi, Minister for Science & Technology, was released to the Nation by the Prime Minister in January, 2003 on the occasion of the Indian Science Congress at Bangalore. The policy objectives, strategy and implementation plan delineated in this document call for concerted action from higher education institutions, national laboratories, industrial concerns and other public and private initiatives in science and related areas. This policy document reiterates the Nation's commitment to participate as an equal and vigorous player in generating and harnessing advances in science for the benefit of all humankind. The Prime Minister in his inaugural address at Indian Science Congress 2004 held at Chandigarh has also stressed the

need to vigorously introduce the inputs of Science and Technology Policy in all our activities and annually review the progress made in implementing this Policy and suggest correctives. The University Grants Commission has approved an action plan prepared in June, 2003 by Prof. V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice-Chairman, UGC, gathering inputs from academics and experts in the universities and colleges for implementation of the HRD aspects of the Policy. The Department of Science and Technology has agreed to work with the UGC for the implementation of this programme through the Universities and Colleges. The UGC has accordingly constituted the Task Force and the activities in colleges, Science & Technology institutions and universities are being planned for the next 2 years. Dr. Surender Singh, Education Officer (Vice Chairman Office) is the coordinating member of the Task Force. 

            he initiatives proposed to be
             taken   under   the National
Programme for Human Resource Development in Information Technology, each having a specific objective and a definite plan of action, were considered in depth at the Conference of State Education Secretaries (Technical) held in New Delhi on 15th November, chaired by the Minister for Human Resource Development and Science & Technology, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi. These initiatives will go a long way in expanding our technical education and building up our manpower in the IT sector, Dr. Joshi told the Conference.
The initiatives are on low-cost computing and open-source software; High speed Campus-

wide networks; Reliable and Affordable Connectivity; introduction of core course in engineering information; Course based induction of IT tools; CAD/CAM tools education programme; IT- based applied project management tools; India Electronic Design Automation Tools scheme; Micro-electronic systems packaging; Virtual Centres of Excellence for manpower development in emerging technology areas; Credit-based outreach education programme; networking for academic collaboration, promoting interface with industry and technical manpower data-base; Computerization of administrative support services.
These initiatives are aimed at - 

providing adequate information and communication technology infrastructure in technical institutions; changes in engineering curriculum to make it information-science based; manpower development in the hardware sector in the country; to meet continuing education needs through a modular flexible mechanism, using technology mediated learning environment; improve management efficiency, increased transparency and promote cost-effectiveness in technical institutions.
All these initiatives are under the National Programme for Human Resource Development in Information Technology for which Rs.500 Crores during 10th Plan is allocated.