Kolkata: A new IIT and an IIM would be set up in north Bengal, announced state finance minister Swapan Dasgupta in his budget speech on Monday, adding that the Centre-backed initiative would offer “world-class” technical and management education. He also announced that Jadavpur University would be developed into an ‘Institute of Excellence’.Classroom modernisation, filling vacancies and administrative streamlining by adopting a student-centric approach would be the focus of a strategic roadmap, being developed to transform Bengal’s education system into a centre of excellence, Dasgupta said.Once the initiatives take wing, Bengal will be the only state in India to have a second IIT and IIM. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, established in 1951, was the country’s first IIT. Following the passage of the Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur) Act in Parliament, it was declared an ‘Institute of National Importance’ and granted autonomous university status. It started functioning out of 5, Esplanade East, before shifting to Kharagpur in Sept 1950. The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Calcutta) is also the first among the IIMs, founded by the Centre, established with a vision to introduce formal management education.Dasgupta announced that for JU’s upgrade to an ‘Institute of Excellence’, the Centre would contribute Rs 1,000 crore and the state Rs 250 crore over five years. Welcoming the decision, JU vice-chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharjee said, “We express deep gratitude to the state and the Centre for the allocation of funds. Our financial crisis can be largely addressed with these funds. The money will be used to modernize our infrastructure and create analytical facilities, which will help us excel in academics and research and become a seat of excellence.”In a first, a sports university was announced at the budget session, aimed at improving sporting achievements of Bengal. Dasgupta allocated Rs 150 crore for the project. Even as the state drafted a map for modern education, it did not seem to forget the classic: The finance minister allocated ₹50 crore to upgrade Sanskrit College and University for the promotion of Sanskrit language.Additionally, university townships were proposed to be set up in the vicinity of major industrial hubs to create a holistic higher education ecosystem. This initiative will be carried out in partnership with foreign universities and multilateral agencies.Turning its focus on women’s education, the state proposed to set up girls’ colleges in six locations—Contai, Kaliachak, Jangipur, Sagar, Tufanganj and Falta. Also, a proposal was made for the establishment of a girls’ hostel in every district, where young girls from distant locations can stay and study at high schools, especially science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and also access skill-based education. The hostels will be set up in a PPP model. Not to forget girls’ health and hygiene of female students, sanitary napkin vending machines were proposed to be installed in all govt schools, colleges and universities.For the modernization of Industrial Training Institutes (ITI)s, a budget of ₹570 crore was allocated under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation (PM-SETU) scheme, which focused on developing and delivering industry-aligned courses.“PM-SHRI, a centrally sponsored scheme, will be implemented to develop selected schools into model institutes with a focus on quality, inclusive and technology-enabled education through better infrastructure,” said Dasgupta even as he announced the allocation of Rs 2,100 crore for this initiative. Under the scheme, the model schools will support nearby schools in enhancing the learning process by implementing experiential learning, smart classrooms, skill-based education, multidisciplinary learning and holistic assessments.Dasgupta announced that Atal Tinkering Labs would be set up in 1,000 schools with a proposed budgetary allocation of Rs 200 crore. These labs will promote innovation and creativity by focusing on scientific, hands-on learning through workshops, robotics, coding sessions, and innovation challenges that build problem-solving and technical skills.Locations in South 24 Parganas, Malda, Jhargram and East Burdwan have also been identified to set up Navodaya Vidyalayas, while land has been identified for two new Kendriya Vidyalayas. To help students preparing for competitive exams, like IIT-JEE, NEET and CAT, free coaching and training centres would be set up in all districts, announced Dasgupta.
