New Delhi: On Tuesday i.e. October 12, 2010, an official press release said that the Union Cabinet has given its approval to a proposal to convert Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) into Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST). As per sources, an amount of Rs 592.20 crores has been assigned for the project. The project will be completed over a period of five years, sources added.
According to the press release, BESU Shibpur will be converted to the IIEST by suitably amending the National Institutes of Technology Act, with special clauses, which should reflect its exclusive character. In addition, the press release informed that the IIEST will be an institute of national importance covered under NIT Act and its organizational and governing structure will be on the lines of NITs.
Moreover, the press release said that IIEST will amalgamate undergraduate (UG) education, postgraduate (PG) education and research in engineering and science under the same umbrella. It will be an institution of international standard and will produce quality manpower for the strategic sector of the country, research laboratories and quality teachers for the institutions of engineering and science education, release added.
Furthermore, sources told that the decision of converting BESU into IIEST is a result of recommendation from an expert committee. The committee suggested the up gradation of five institutes including BESU, to become an IIEST.
