New Delhi: Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandeswari has ruled out the possibility of setting up an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) abroad as the domestic expansion of such institutions has been the Centre's paramount priority.

Purandeswari said that the HRD Ministry's top priority at present is expansion of educational infrastructure and maintaining standards.

"The Governments of Singapore and Syria and one organization in Dubai have requested to setup an IIT in their respective countries. However at this stage, it is not possible to setup an IIT or its campus abroad," Purandeswari said.

While informing the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, she said, "There is already a substantial shortage of faculty in the seven existing IITs and with six new such institutions having started operations from this academic session, there would be a further strain on the IITs' limited manpower".

A proposal to establish an IIT in the Syrian capital Damascus was submitted by Syrian Technology and Communication Minister Mr. Emad Sabouni, accompanying the President of Syria, Mr. Bashar Al-Assad, during their visit to India.

In his proposal, Emad Sabouni also said that Syria will offer the land required and will subsidize the institute. India, on the other hand, would have to provide partial funding and the faculty required for the IIT in Syria.

The Syrian delegation to India was so impressed by the contributions made by the IITs in India's development that they termed the IITs as 'Shining Example for Asia'.

The delegation also said that the move will help upgrade the technical manpower of Syria. Syria is the second country after Singapore to request setting up an IIT on its soil.

Singapore had requested an IIT from the Indian Government in 2006 and repeated its request in 2007.

The Central Government has given its nod to setting up of eight new IITs during the 11th Five Year Plan.

Out of the eight new IITs, six of these in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Orissa, Punjab and Rajasthan will begin functioning this year.