Upgradation of Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU), Shibpur to an Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology

[Santosh Sinha]

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Santosh Sinha
Kuwait

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=66289

Cabinet12-October, 2010 17:51 IST

Upgradation of Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU), Shibpur to an Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur at Howrah, West Bengal

The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal for taking over of Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU), Shibpur and converting it to Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), with a total five years' project cost of Rs.592.20 crore (Rs. 300.30 Crore as non-recurring cost towards capital expenditure and Rs.291.90 Crore as recurring expenditure). BESU will be converted to IIEST by suitably amending the NIT Act, with special clauses, which should reflect its exclusive character. IIEST will be an 'Institute of National Importance' covered under NIT Act and its organizational and governing structure will be on the lines of National Institutes of Technology (NITs). IIEST will integrate under-graduate education, post graduate education and research in engineering and science under the same umbrella. IIEST will be an Institution of international standard and will produce quality manpower for the strategic sector of the country, research laboratories and quality teachers for the institutions of engineering and science education. Background: The Government had constituted an Expert Committee in 2005 to evaluate and suggest a plan of action for upgrading seven Institutes, including BESU, which had earlier been identified by Prof. S K Joshi Committee. The Expert Committee recommended the establishment of a new system of 'Indian Institutes of Engineering Science and Technology (IIESTs) as Institutes of National Importance through an Act of Parliament. The Committee recommended upgradation of five Institutes including BESU, to become an IIEST. The admissions to IIEST will be through national level entrance exam namely, All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE). *** AKT/HS/SM (Release ID :66289)

 

[Santosh Sinha]

The web link provided in the earlier mail leads to a news article dated 12 October, 2010  and not 13 December 2012.

 

Here is a newspaper item:

http://m.timesofindia.com/city/kolkata/Besu-set-to-become-a-central-varsity/articleshow/17606589.cms

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Besu set to become a central varsity

Dec 14, 2012, 03.46AM IST TNN

KOLKATA: The Centre on Thursday approved the proposal to upgrade Bengal Engineering and Science University (Besu) to the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), thus conferring the coveted tag of Institute of National Importance (INI) on the institution.

The upgrade will enable Besu to become an institution run fully on central funds, thus permitting it to offer better facilities to the undergraduate, postgraduate students and research scholars. It will also provide a better pay structure to the teachers and employees. The university plans to initiate research in areas of medical science and technology, renewable energy, environment and water technology in addition to reinforcing the existing engineering and science disciplines.

In the newly formed IIEST, there will be 50% quota for state students. Rest of the seats will be filled up by candidates clearing the AIEEE. However, it may not be possible for Besu to take students from the AIEEE or the WBJEE this year. Rather, going by the existing system, they may have to stick to the state joint examination.

Besu will now have to receive a clearance from both the two houses of Parliament. According to sources, the NIT Act will be amended to make space for the new IIEST institutes. Anandakrishnan committee had proposed a list of five technology institutes in the country to be upgraded to IIEST. Besu has been ranked first on the list of universities recommended.

The university will receive around Rs 592 crore from the Centre in the first five years. The amount can be spent for upgrading facilities and expansion. "The cash-strapped state government will breathe a sigh of relief since it will no longer need to pay the salary and other funds. Moreover, it will add a feather in the government's cap with their new-found tag," said a senior higher education department official.

"International collaborations will now become much easier. As a result, more foreign funds and projects will flow in," said a Besu official. . It has been learnt from sources in MHRD that the bill may be tabled in this winter session itself for upgradation of BESU into IIEST, thus amending the NIT Act.

Since the Indian Institute of Science Engineering and Research Bill took more time for enactment in the Parliament, it created a delay in amending the NIT Act. It was only in the last session when the IISER Bill got a go ahead from the two houses. "I am optimistic that BESU the second oldest technical institute in India will become the torch bearer in the fields of technological education and research," said vice-chancellor of BESU, Ajay Kumar Roy. It is now a matter of time before BESU finds a new name. According to sources after receiving IIEST, vc Roy will remain the officiating director till a name is announced by MHRD.