Students of the Institute of Science and Management present a cultural programme during the annual day celebrations of the institute on Tuesday. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, July 15: The University of Institute of Science and Management, Jharkhand, was inaugurated at Pundag today.

The name of the proposed university was put forward before the state HRD department a few months ago and it has now been approved.

Besides, two centres — the centre for entrepreneurship and micro-enterprise development and scientific research and innovation in management — also began operations today. This was the 23rd foundation day of the Institute of Science and Management.

Chief guest on the occasion was the chairman-cum-managing director of Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC), G.K. Pillai.

Dean of the varsity, C.B.P Srivastava said, students passing the examination would have Institute of Science and Management University on their certificates.

“We had requested the HRD department to give us the status of the university so that the students passing from this institute are recognised globally,” Srivastava said.

The guest of honour was V.P. Sinha, the former director of science and technology, government of Bihar. Students presented a tribal dance and skit to celebrate the occasion.

The institute was established in 1985 by former vice-chancellor of Ranchi University (RU) professor Sachidanand. He inaugurated the programme by planting a sapling on the institute premises.

Under the aegis of the former vice-chancellor, the hotel management and computer courses were launched. “A two-year postgraduate diploma course in business management was also launched,” said varsity chairman R.A.K. Verma.

With help from professionals and academicians, the institute has come up on a 40-acre plot. At present, the institute is running two branches (for business and hotel management courses).

There are 400 students with 35 teachers. There is separate girls’ hostel with 50 beds and a proposal is on the anvil to construct another hostel on the premises.

“Besides, we are also running several projects with the welfare department of the Jharkhand government like a craft course for tribal students, a project with the Chhattisgarh government and the state tourism department,” the chairman said.

The event ended on a positive note. Toppers in various courses were given gold medals and also a cash prize of Rs 5,000 each.