NEW DELHI: The long-standing invitation of Singapore government to IITs to set up a campus there could soon become a reality.

To be called the International Institute of Technology, it will come up with the joint effort of IIT Council, other centrally-funded technology and science institutes (NITs and Indian Institute of Science) and the Singapore government. Once the project report is finalised, a society will be formed between the Indian and Singapore government. The implementation will be done over five years and review will be done in two years.

HRD minister Kapil Sibal told TOI that the concept note of the proposed institute was given to his Singapore counterpart Ng Eng Hen on Thursday. "HRD ministry cannot directly be involved in this. We have asked the IIT council to consider the proposal and prepare the project report. Let us see what the Singapore government brings on the table," Sibal said.

The proposed institute will teach both humanities and science. Focus will be on research and innovation. Stress will be on "sunlight areas" like health, technology, communication and education. Even at the undergraduate level unique type of courses will be introduced. "It will be a unique institute for Asian students and those belonging to diaspora.

A beginning has been made. Let us see the nature that Singapore government has in mind," Sibal said. He also said Singapore government had made this proposal to PM Manmohan Singh which has been accepted. In the meeting, Sibal told Hen that government has reversed its policy and left the decision on the IIT council.

Sanjay Dhande, director of IIT Kanpur, said, "The only brand that India can showcase in education is IITs. It is a good start. The IIT council will take up the issue in its next meeting." Asked if the Institute of Technology Act that governs IITs will be amended to set up an off-shore campus, sources said, "It is not needed since IITs will be going as International Institute of Technology."

One of the model that can be worked out, sources said, can be like one in Qatar where IIT teachers were roped in to give guidance, recruit teachers and prepare curriculum without any cost to the company.