Patna: Bihar is working on a Rs 122 crore plan to develop 46 government polytechnic institutions as Centres of Excellence, with support from IIT Patna. The initiative aims to strengthen technical education by introducing practical training in emerging technologies and improving students’ industry readiness.
Under the proposed hub-and-spoke model, students will receive hands-on training in areas including electric vehicles, drone technology, 3D printing and robotics.
Focus On Emerging Technologies
The initiative will also include Faculty Development Programmes, Training of Trainers, Spoken Tutorial, the Kushal Yuva Programme, industry-oriented courses and practical training.
The objective is to improve the employability of students by giving them exposure to technologies and skills relevant to current industry requirements.
According to Science, Technology and Technical Education Minister Sheela Kumari, the government’s focus is not merely on increasing admissions to technical institutions but on providing education that connects knowledge, skills, employment and innovation.
She said training in emerging technologies would help students improve their employment prospects and access better placement opportunities.
Smart Classrooms And Modern Laboratories
The department is also working to strengthen infrastructure across government technical institutions.
The planned improvements include smart classrooms, modern laboratories and workshops, language laboratories, hostels, employment-oriented training facilities, sports grounds, open gyms and health sub-centres.
The infrastructure upgrades are intended to support the technology-focused academic and practical training being introduced at the institutions.
Courses To Align With NEP 2020
According to the department, the academic and infrastructure overhaul is being undertaken in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the state government’s skill development initiatives.
The focus is on making the curriculum more practical and relevant to industry while ensuring that courses follow the prescribed NEP framework.
Training For Industry Requirements
The initiative aims to prepare traditional diploma holders for changing employment requirements. Students will receive training in areas such as robotics, avionics and additive manufacturing, which are increasingly relevant to advanced manufacturing and technology sectors.
Instead of relying primarily on theoretical classroom instruction, the programme will emphasise live assembly, calibration, coding and field testing.
Through the proposed Centres of Excellence, Bihar aims to give students greater practical exposure to emerging technologies while strengthening the connection between polytechnic education, skills and employment.
