IT has led to the dramatic emergence of "information societies", which will have great implications in the future. Information Technology has emerged as a scientific discipline out of research & development activities in the field of computer technology, data base technology, software technology, video technology and communication technology, is fast becoming an integral part of everyday life. An un-stoppable IT revolution is in progress. The revolution that will make it possible to transmit an ever increasing mass of information in ever shorter space of time. This new Information Technology paradigm is the cornerstone of planning and implementation processes in many a countries today to leap frog them into the world of global industry.
Computer Policy – 1984, Electronic Policy – 1985 and software Policy – 1986 laid the foundations for the liberalized growth of information technology industry in the country. These policies enabled the increasing use of information technology in all aspects of business management and public administration and led to the development of IT infrastructure viz, Communication Networks like NICNET, INDONET, ERNET, INFLIBNET and Internet.
In 1992, the Ministry of HRD set-up a high powered committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. P G Reddy. The team in its report reviewed the overall scenario in the country with regard to software education and training. The team identified that the total manpower need for the software development, domestic and export, was of the order of 5, 70, 000 personnel at 1996 to meet a target of software export of Rs. 10, 000 crores. Against this the formal educational system produced only 1,20,000 personnel. The team, therefore, recommended, among other things, setting up of Advanced Information System Institutes on the pattern of IITs and IIMs in the country. A study conducted by the World Bank Sponsored in July 1992 also underlined the need for additional manpower in the area of IT and software development.
Presently, a number of Institutions offer programmes in computer science and technology. However, there is no institution, which acts as a resource institution in the synergetic field of Information Technology and Management. The management functions and decision making of the corporate world has changed over last ten tears. They rely more and more on technology inputs, world wide data bases and information technology tools. This calls for synergy between information Technology and management functions for creating a manpower, which may enable the industry of future to acquire an edge in global market place. With the rapid development of this branch of knowledge and its relevance for media, communications, higher levels of management and various aspects of daily life, need of a resource institution which will absorb, adopt and transmit and would exclusively address itself to this branch has been considered most essential.
The All India Council for Technical Education constituted a working group in May 1995 consisting of eminent professionals, academics and others in the areas of Information Technology, Management and Communications to deliberate on the issues relating to Information Technology and prepare a Theme paper. This working group prepared a basic document underlining the basic need of establishment of a National Centre in the area of Information Technology, covering the academic programmes, thrust areas, faculty structure, infrastructure requirements, method of funding and governance model. The basic document was further debated in a Workshop attended by professionals from Information Technology and Management, academics and experts in the field of Higher Technical Education, Management and Information Technology.
The Government of Madhya Pradesh came forward with an offer of land free of cost for this purpose in Gwalior. Gwalior is in the National Capital region and extremely well connected with major towns through rail and air. The town is also well known for its academic environment as a number of national level institutions exist here in addition to high quality schools and the university and its affiliated colleges. Keeping with the commitment of Govt. Of India to develop the NCR, led to the establishing IIITM Gwalior an institution of eminence in this part (Most of the developments around Delhi earlier have been concentrated in the North, West and, to some extent, East). In terms of location of industries and academic institutions, Gwalior enjoys both proximity and access. While considering the basic document, these aspects were also kept in view and Gwalior was considered to be a suitable location.
Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management (IIITM) at Gwalior was established as a centrally funded, autonomous institution registered under the Societies’ Registration Act and governed by its Board of Governors. The composition of the first Society is given in Annexure II. The primary objectives of the Institute would be to create facilities for education, training, research, consultancy and professional development in the areas of Information Technology and Management in an integrated manner.
The structure of academic programmes contained in the AICTE document were as follows:
(i) A 5-1/2 year integrated programme with an entry-level qualification at Senior School Certificate or equivalent leading to a postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology and Management.
(ii) A 2 year Postgraduate programme leading to Diploma in Management and Information Technology with entry qualification as a bachelor’s degree in selected areas.
(iii) A 1-1/2 year Postgraduate programme leading to Diploma in Information Technology and Management with entry level qualification as a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Electronics or equivalent.
In addition to the above mentioned course work, the group recommended that the institute shall conduct research in thrust areas (Annexure 1), undertake MDP and Continuing Education Programmes and link with industry for R&D work.The proposal was approved by the Cabinet of Govt. of India. The Govt. of MP has also agreed to provide 20% of the non- recurring cost in addition to the cost free land for the campus at Gwalior. The foundation Stone of the Institute was laid on Jan 17, 1996.
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