By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: In an effort to ensure that students studying in Bihar engineering and polytechnic institutes do not need to seek education in other states, the state government has introduced highly subsidised tuition fees under its Free Education Campaign. Students in engineering colleges are charged just Rs 10 per month, while those in polytechnic institutes pay Rs 5 per month, to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder their education. These announcements were made by Sumit Kumar Singh, Minister of Science, Technology and Technical Education, during a press conference held at Samvad on Monday.
Minister Sumit Kumar Singh highlighted that currently, 38 engineering and 45 polytechnic institutes are operating in their own dedicated buildings, with several initiatives undertaken to improve both the quality of education and placement opportunities for students. Additionally, 2,671 vacant posts, including teaching positions, will be filled soon. In the last two years, 1,458 teaching positions in engineering institutes and 727 in polytechnic institutes have already been filled.
The Minister further stated that vacancies in administrative roles, such as offices, libraries, and workshops in these institutes, will soon be filled. A requisition has been sent to the relevant commission for the prompt recruitment of 723 instructors, 1,092 laboratory assistants, 122 assistant librarians, 84 physical training instructors, 77 stenographers, 281 lower division clerks, and 238 office attendants, totalling 2,617 posts.
Department Secretary Dr. Pratima added that the existing teachers are being provided with training for their skill enhancement. As part of this initiative, 300 teachers from engineering institutes have received training from IIT Roorkee. Additionally, efforts are being made to transform these institutes into fully residential facilities, with the construction of new buildings to accommodate students and teachers, alongside the current infrastructure.
Dr. Pratima also mentioned that, under the Saat Nischay Part Two initiative, Centres of Excellence in emerging technologies have been established in all engineering institutes in collaboration with IIT Patna. In the first phase, advancements have been made in areas such as electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics, 3D printing, and drone technology, at a total cost of Rs 97 crore. The second phase will include transformer manufacturing, repair, and optical fibre technology, with an estimated cost of Rs 122.86 crore. Director Udayan Mishra and other officials were also present at the event.
