By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: An incubation centre will be established on the Bihta campus of NIT Patna, with the Bihar government allocating ₹50 crore for its development. NIT Patna Director, Prof PK Jain, confirmed that the funds have been received by the institute, and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is expected to be prepared within two to three months. Once the DPR is ready, construction will commence, and the facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art resources.
The announcement of the incubation centre was made by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during the annual alumni meet held on 4 February 2024. The event, organised by the BCE-NIT Patna Alumni Society, celebrated the centenary of the institute. On the occasion, the Chief Minister instructed officials to expedite the DPR preparation and assured that the necessary funds would be released within a week.
The incubation centre aims to support research and innovation, focusing on facilitating startups from ideation to market. These centres provide comprehensive support, including workspace, mentoring, product development, marketing, funding, network assistance, training, team support, laboratories, and essential tools. Such facilities are critical for fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, with both government and private incubation centres actively operating across states, offering initial grants and other resources.
NIT Patna’s Bihta campus, spread over 125 acres, has been developed to accommodate approximately 6,000 students. This expansion marks a significant step, as no other engineering institute in the country can currently match the scale of student intake managed here. Academic activities at the Bihta campus are set to commence smoothly in July.
Prof PK Jain also highlighted the establishment of an alumni research centre at the new campus. This initiative enables alumni to receive income tax rebates on donations, further promoting contributions towards the institute’s growth.
