The Department of Science and Technology will fund to the tune of Rs.100 crore in the next five years for improving the Science and Technology infrastructure in 238 departments of 111 universities and higher educational institutions. The support includes, improvement of basic facilities for teaching and research, renovation of teaching laboratories, animal house, green house etc. The amount would also be used for the purchase of books and journals, creation of computer facility and networking as well as maintenance of equipments.

The Advisory Board of the Fund for Improvement of Science and Technology Infrastructure (FISTAB) at a recent meeting here recommended funding upto Rs.100 crore after final scrutiny of the departments identified for support by the expert committees. The committee had received over 1000 applications from all the universities of the country.

The Government launched the FIST programme taking into consideration of the serious neglect of support for research in universities due to lack of better infrastructural and training facilities. Launching of FIST was widely acclaimed by the Scientific Community and the aspirants. As the response to the scheme was overwhelming, the Department of Science and Technology supported over 200 departments in 2000 with a total funding of Rs.110 crore. Taking into view the success of the programme, the government has provided enhanced funding of Rs.375 crore for the 10th five year plan. This innovative initiative is expected to go a long way in fulfilling the needs of the university system, as mode of research and generation of high quality manpower is of great importance to the development of the country.