Bhubaneswar, Dec. 8: A group of 42 students from various high schools in the north eastern states visited IIT Bhubaneswar to pursue higher studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

For the next two weeks, the students will attend a series of lectures, visits to laboratories and campuses, experiments as well as excursions that will provide them with the required exposure.

The students, accompanied by their teachers, are visiting the premier institute under the human resource development ministry's Ishan Vikas scheme and will be here till December 21, said the authorities.

The students, who study in classes IX and X, are from the Mingmang Tribal High School, Golam Sorowar Sainik School, Goalpara, Assam, V.K.V. Kharsang, Arunachal Pradesh and the Government High School, Tawipui south, Mizoram.

IIT Bhubaneswar director R.V. Raja Kumar interacted with the students about their interests, future career plans and so on. Later, he delivered a lecture on the essence of learning and education while highlighting the understanding of science principles and applying them in engineering fields, such as elasticity, Hooke's law towards designing, building of simple structures to the mega ones such as bridges.

"The institute has planned a series of lectures, practical training sessions, laboratory visits and cultural events, alongside trips to histor-ical or heritage places around Bhubaneswar," he said.

The Ishan Vikas scheme provides for the visits of students from classes IX to XI from the eight north eastern states to 22 premier institutes such as the Indian Institutes Of Technology, National Institutes Of Technology and Indian Institutes Of Science Education And Research.

Aman Muskan, a student, said: "This is an amazing experience for all of us. We are gaining a new perspective on perusing higher education, especially in science."

Their teachers are also taking part in these activities. The programmes are designed and conducted by the host institution, according to their convenience.

The scheme is also for students of technical colleges in the northeast and aims to provide research experience through internships in premier institutions across the country. The accompanying teachers are expected to interact with faculty members of the host institution and explore potential areas for PhD research.

The host institution provides the students with a certificate of participation.