Birla to train engineers and scientists in the emerging areas of Aerospace and Rocket Technologies way back in 1963
Even as activities in Space Sciences and Engineering were being initiated by the Government of India with the formation of INCOSPAR in 1962 and TERLS near Thiruvananthapuram in 1963, Sri B. Birla envisioned the need to develop human resource to meet the future needs and challenges a
nd set up a dedicated department at the institute. When professor G. Pant undertook the responsibility to set up the Department at the Institute, he got his plan approved by Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission himself. Two Atomic Energy Scholarships were also sanctioned for initial years. Professor Pant visited the United States of America and obtained the services of Professor Maurice J. Webb of Princeton University to set up a moderate laboratory before a one-year Post-graduate Diploma Programme could be started in 1964.
