Chennai: Tamil Nadu higher education department plans to set up a new university for emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, climate technology and space technology.Named Periyar Institute of Emerging Technology, it will first be launched as an autonomous institute under Anna University, which is tasked with preparing the detailed project report.“The institute will start its academic session within the next five months as part of Anna University,” said higher education secretary Dheeraj Kumar said. “Our ultimate goal is to convert this into an independent university for emerging technologies and collaborate with leading universities and institutes across the world.”The institute would conduct high-end application-oriented research and have degree-awarding powers. “This will be the first such institute in the country for emerging technologies. Anna University will partner with globally reputable institutions and industry for research, and design the curriculum for degree programmes,” an official from Anna University said. The institute would aim to produce young talent in advanced technologies.The higher education department also plans to introduce new legislation to establish an institute of excellence in basic sciences this academic year. “We want this institute to be developed on the lines of Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, with the power to award degrees,” Dheeraj Kumar said.There are about 30 renowned institutions for basic science research in the country. After Kerala and Odisha, Tamil Nadu will be the third state to establish its own research institute for basic sciences.“It will focus only on PG programmes, PhDs and post-doctoral research in physics, chemistry, math and computational biology. We will tie up with internationally renowned institutions such as International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Italy to meet international standards,” a senior official from Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education said.Easing norms to establish new private universities, Tamil Nadu govt also brought down land requirement from 100 acres to 12 acres in Chennai and to 18 acres in other corporations. It also brought down the endowment fund from Rs50 crore to Rs25 crore.
