By IANS,
New Delhi: The union cabinet has approved a proposal for takeover of the Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) at Shibpur for converting it to an Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), an official release said Tuesday.
“BESU will be converted to the IIEST by suitably amending the National Institutes of Technology Act, with special clauses, which should reflect its exclusive character. The IIEST will be an ‘institute of national importance’ covered under NIT Act and its organisational and governing structure will be on the lines of NITs,” the release said.
An amount of Rs.592.20 crore has been earmarked for the project, which will be completed over a period of five years.
The decision was taken following a recommendation from an expert committee for establishing a new system of Indian Institutes of Engineering Science and Technology (IIESTs) as institutes of national importance through an act of parliament. The committee recommended upgradation of five institutes including BESU, to become an IIEST.
“IIEST will integrate under-graduate education, post-graduate 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,” the release said.
Admission to the institute will be done through All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE).