New Delhi: With six new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) set to come up this year, the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has said that Syria's dream of an IIT on its soil will have to wait for some time.

"The Government already has the huge task of setting up six new IITs this year itself. Moreover, we are also facing faculty shortage. It seems difficult to start the project this year. It will certainly take some time", said a Government official.

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 last week.

In his proposal, Emad Sabouni also said that Syria will offer the land required and will subsidise 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.