UNESCO confers IIT-Bombay as â??Knowledge Heritage Centreâ??

Dec 13:   World’s top cultural and heritage organisation, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) conferred Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) with a special title of ‘Knowledge Heritage Centre’ here on Wednesday.

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The India’s premier technical institution has been given this honour for its rich knowledge heritage and for producing a knowledge-based society across the country.

The UNESCO director for India Minja Yang has awarded IIT-B with this title on the occasion of Golden Jubilee ceremony being celebrated here yesterday. “IIT-B was originally established with the cooperation and participation of UNESCO and it has grown in stature as an institution of national importance and a leader in higher education, research and training,” said Minija.

IIT-B Director Ashok Mishra was quite pleased and proudly expressing his joy, he said, “It’s not just the first for any IIT, but it's the first knowledge heritage centre in the whole world.”

IIT-B and UNESCO work together for the welfare of the society via functioning academic and research collaborations with national and international universities, governments and industries, informed Mishra while addressing to the academician and students.

UNESCO has also signed an agreement with IIT-B for renewing and making more strong relationship for expanding heritage and cultural knowledge centre. “UNESCO is delighted to renew and strengthen its partnership with IIT-B," said Yang.

On the other hand Mishra rejoiced, “UNESCO has recognised IIT-B’s contribution in creating a ‘knowledge society’ and this agreement will take it to a ‘higher level’ and will give it a totally ‘new dimensions’.”

According to this agreement, “IIT-B will contribute a rotating fund of Rs 10 lakh for various joint activities with UNESCO and this cooperation will also cover the current topical areas like nanotechnology and biotechnology,” said the director.

UNESCO established its New Delhi office in 1948 for motivating the programmes of science and technology, ecological and earth science, sustainable and cultural development and in this series with the help of Indian government it established IIT Bombay in Powai in 1958 to promote higher technology studies in India.