After initial hiccups, IISER enrols 100 per cent admissions

Updated on: Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Ever since the inception of the Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in 2006, only about 40 to 50 per cent of the total enrolments had managed to take place. However, the academic year 2010 has seen 100 per cent admissions denoting a rise in interest among students for pure sciences.

A A Natu, admissions head at IISER, Pune, said, "Initially, we were worried about filling up the seats. The first year had seen only 45 per cent enrolments. But, last year and this year has been really good as far as admissions are concerned."

In the year 2009, 112 students took admissions while the 2010 academic year that began on August 8 saw about 105 students enrol. Natu said, "At all levels, there is an effort to attract students to pure sciences. That is exactly the reason why the five IISERs were instituted solely dedicated to research and teaching in basic sciences. But, we are extremely delighted with the present status as far as admissions are concerned. We had some good candidates to choose from and there were several more interested in getting into IISER."

As a unique initiative in science education in India, IISER aims to be a Science University of the highest calibre devoted to both teaching and research in a totally integrated manner, with state-of-the-art research and high quality education, thus nurturing both curiosity and creativity.

Besides the five-year integrated bachelor in science/master in science dual degree course, IISER, Pune has 60 PhD students. Students satisfying either one of the entrance tests of the Indian Institute of Technology with a minimum of 60 per cent marks in class 12 or the Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana or direct admissions for state and central board students qualify for a certain cut off mark set by IISER.

IISER plans to develop advanced teaching and research labs where students will have the opportunity to pursue experiments as well as advanced research under the mentorship of world-class faculty.

Meanwhile, the IISER hostel, a 128-room facility is ready at the institute's new campus, a sprawling 100-acre land in Pashan. The Prime Minister recently laid the foundation stone, and the entire campus will be ready in three-years' time.

After initial hiccups, IISER enrols 100 per cent admissions

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