Students Protest in IIITM-K, Technopark

TechnoparkToday.com>>Amid the recent movement from Kerala Technical University (KTU) to takeover Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management- Kerala (IIITM-K), students here called for an indefinite strike last Tuesday against the initiative. They staged a protest by gathering at the reception with placards and slogan demanded to dismiss the proposal.

The news regarding this matter had been in media for the last few days, but the institute authorities had never disclosed the clear picture behind. This spurred the student community to call for an indefinite strike to express their concerns apprehensions.

IIITM-K was started in 2000 as a Govt. owned autonomous postgraduate institute in Technopark Campus.  Over the years, it has established as a nationally and internationally recognized brand. Currently its degrees are awarded by affiliated to Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT). It has gained momentum in the IT and allied sector as well as in agricultural and ecological research. When it is attached to the KTU, the institute will lose its autonomous status and the popular brand name. It created unrest among the students and staffs.

“Now it has become more evident that this proposal is initiated by a few people who have some vested interests. If it is happened our autonomous status the brand name of IIITM-K will have been lost. So we cannot tolerate this kind of underground action. We love IIITM-K and we want it more dignified”, student community responded.

Protesting students were dispersed after getting an assurance from the director to initiate necessary actions to curb this takeover. It was decided to meet the Chief Minister, IT Minister and IT Secretary jointly by staffs and students to intimate their concerns. But the protest is being continued by the students until a favor decision come out. A massive campaign called ‘Save IIITM-K’ has been initiated as part of this relentless effort for the survival of their alma mater.