Warangal (Telangana), Oct 2 (IANS): Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday urged technology institutions like National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) to collaborate with each other and emerge as islands of excellence.

"Each of the institutions should be an island of excellence in innovation, design, and research in specific areas, but these islands should have synergised strategy to collaborate and grow together," Irani said here at the meeting of the council of National Institute of Technology, Science Education and Research.

The council is an apex policy making body for 31 NITs, five IISERs and Indian Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur.

Talking about the common counselling for technology institutions, she said: "It has not only reduced stress on students and parents, but also minimised the number of vacant seats."

Less than two percent seats remained vacant after five rounds of counselling leading to all time high numbers of admission in these prestigious institutions, she added.

Expressing concern over growing incidences of depression among students due to non performance in studies, the minister advised NITs, IISERs and IIEST to adopt "student centric approach".

The minister constituted a student grievance redressal cell at the council level and emphasised that students grievances should be addressed effectively and in time bound manner.

She also said performance of the institutions would be monitored critically.