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Ashok Misra, director of IIT Bombay, on the ups, downs and controversies surrounding his tenure - IIT is a brand that's recognized and acknowledged worldwide. "While I am all for setting up premium technology institutions across the country, I think calling them IITs will dilute the brand. Let's face it: the six original IITs are way ahead. The new institutes should be created as a separate and strong brand"


The road from the main entrance of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, to the main building that has the director's office is a straight one. But I take a circuitous route that takes me past the serene Powai lake with solemn wader birds, and along greenery of many shades where magpies dart suddenly. Humans are few, vehicles even fewer. This is as close to heaven as you can get in Mumbai.


Why is Prof Ashok Misra, director of IIT Bombay for the past eight years, leaving this behind? To take over a new assignment in Bangalore as the chairman of the Indian operations of Intellectual Ventures, a US-based private firm that invests in high-tech inventions.


Or is it, as is being speculated, because he is disenchanted with the increasing interference of the Human Resource Development ministry in the institutes of higher learning? The questions are many and Prof Misra, 60, who can answer them, is beleaguered with a sore throat. Sipping hot Ayurvedic concoction for relief, he settles down to reflect on subjects, academic and otherwise.


Why quit the directorship of IIT, Bombay and why now?

After eight most beautiful years of my life, I must move on to do something new. I will be the India head of Intellectual Ventures, a Washington-based firm dealing in intellectual property in high-tech areas. This will be very different from the teaching and research I have done all my life. Why now? Because no one may hire me later. (Laughs) Some say it is because of the increased interference, of late, by the Human Resource Development ministry in the working of institutions of higher learning.


I am more than capable of dealing with issues like these (HRD ministry interference). When the HRD ministry decided to introduce the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota in the IITs, I let my opinion be known. But once the HRD ministry decided on the OBC quota, I implemented it. It started with nine percent OBC reservation this year and we have not had to compromise on the caliber of the students. Let's see what happens about the 27 per cent reservation.


But that's not why I am leaving. I have been associated with Intellectual Ventures for some time. They have great plans and I think this is the right time to make the move.


And now there is talk of reservation for faculty as well?

I am opposed to reservation quotas for faculty members. Merit should be the only criterion in the selection of faculty in the IITs. Good research is good research regardless of who does it. One need not know the caste of the person who has done good work. The downside will be that even if a person is brilliant, people will start dismissing his/her credentials saying they are from reserved category . We have requested the standing committee to reject the idea of reservation for faculty.