Global IIT meet for first time in Kolkata in December

Kolkata, Aug 1 (IANS) PanIIT, the global association of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) alumni, will organise its annual global meet in Kolkata. The city will host the three-day meet starting Dec 7, for the fist time.

More than 3,000 delegates, which would include policy makers, consultants and planners from both public and private sectors, are expected to participate in the event.

Renowned personalities like Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal, Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy, Tata Steel Managing Director H.M. Nerurkar are expected to address the conference. The chief ministers of Goa, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand will also be present.

More than 1,000 overseas participants from the US, UK, Canada, Middle East, Singapore and Australia are expected to congregate during the event.

ITC chairman Y.C. Deveshwar, who is the mentor of PanIIT Global Conference 2012, said it would be a great opportunity for the industry-hungry West Bengal to showcase "Kolkata".

Asked whether he feels that the government should exploit the opportunity to attract investment, Deveshwar said, "I should imagine. That is my view like I wish all of us should".

"The people, who are coming from outside, are in the position to influence and that is how you make your pitch. I suppose that since people are coming here and will be spending three days here, it is a big opportunity," he added.

Sandipan Chakravortty, chairman of the conference, said, "First time the conference will take place in Kolkata. This time it was a natural choice."

This time the conference will focus on "Resurgence of East", Chakravortty, also managing director of Tata Steel Processing And Distribution Ltd, said.