Patna: In a significant step towards modernising technical education in Bihar, the State Board of Technical Education (SBTE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay’s Spoken Tutorial Project. The collaboration aims to provide free certified training in contemporary software tools to lakhs of students in polytechnic and engineering colleges across the state.
Announced on Wednesday, the initiative has been framed in line with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and the central government’s Skill India Mission. It promises online, video-based tutorials in a wide range of programming languages and software, including Python, Java, C++, Linux, LaTeX, LibreOffice, MySQL, PHP, Blender, and GIMP. The training will be made available in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi and English.
SBTE Secretary Dr Chandrashekhar Singh, who led the agreement, called the partnership a “transformative initiative” and said it would play a crucial role in bridging the gap between academic qualifications and practical skills.
“Our aim is not merely to provide degrees, but to equip students with industry-ready knowledge that allows them to compete both nationally and globally,” said Singh. “Through Spoken Tutorial, students can access quality technical content at minimal cost and engage in practice-based learning.”
Students across all SBTE-affiliated institutions will benefit from digital self-learning modules, online assessments, and certificates issued by IIT Bombay. These certifications are expected to boost employability and expand opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
The programme will also benefit faculty and institutions, offering them value addition through training modules. Local coordinators will be appointed at each college to support the registration, training, and evaluation process.
SBTE has mandated that all government polytechnic and engineering colleges in Bihar implement the Spoken Tutorial programme within the next six months.
Key features of the initiative:
- Free, multilingual, video-based training
- Certification and assessment by IIT Bombay
- Special focus on accessibility for rural and offline learners
- Practice-driven, employment-focused content
