Ishān Vikās is an initiative take by MHRD, Government of India to introduce school children from the North-Eastern states to institutes of higher education in India. It is a comprehensive plan to bring school children into close contact with the IITs and IISERs during their vacation periods. The focal point of the visit is to open up young minds and give them a broad overview of the future paths they can traverse. Unlike traditional tours, visits under Ishan Vikas Program thrusts participants fully into campus life - they live in hostels, dine in-mess with their hosts, engage in social events and get the opportunity to visit the state-of-the-art laboratories.
IISER Bhopal had the privilege of hosting 17 students and 2 escort teachers from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Imphal from May 21 - 30, 2015 and 40 students with 4 escort teachers from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh during December 02 - 11, 2015. In May 2016, we had 5 escort teachers and 40 student participants. Interaction based lectures by our faculty members, covering not only the domain of science but also illuminating discussions about challenges of higher education and finding ways to overcome such challenges are an integral part of the program. This apart some sessions on introducing computer skills and computer programming, documentaries/short films on big scientific discoveries, biographical sketches of scientists is organized to create a deeper impact into the young minds. A tour to each of the state-of-the-art laboratories with hands on experience in working in such laboratories is arranged to further kindle their curiosity and interest. Several co-curricular activities, outdoor sports to shape up the overall personality of the participants are also a part of the program. The program ends with a visit to one of the centers of tourist interest in Bhopal.