Vithura: Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday called for more opportunities to be given to girls in the fields of science education and research.
She was speaking after inaugurating the permanent campus (Phase I) of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) at Vithura near Thiruvananthapuram.
Irani said the Department of Higher Education will allow the new IISER Centre to recruit five foreign faculties as part of improving research and international exposure to the students as part of the new Global Initiative of Academic Network (GIAN) of the Ministry.
Irani further said the endeavor of science research institutions must be to give more opportunities to women, Dalits and those from economically backward sections to excel themselves.
The campus has three buildings namely, chemical science block, hostel and a central dining hall, in the first phase. The blocks for physics and biology and additional hostel facility for 500 students will be constructed within the next 15 months.
Dignitaries present on the occasion included Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, A. Sampath MP, i K.S. Sabarinathan MLA, Secretary, Human Resource Development Ministry, Vinay Sheel Oberoi and Dr. Tessy Thomas, Chairperson, Board of Governors, IISER.
