MAKAUT will use the two-storied building with 30 rooms built on 20 acres, adjacent to the Engineering College as its new Satellite Campus. It will be utilized by MAKAUT to expand its technical-educational services exclusively to the region and the Bankura district. The BUIE is already intricately involved in imparting quality professional education in the district. There are mainly two unique objectives behind the selection of this college by MAKAUT:

•  Improvement of the quality of life of the people in the Jangal Mahal region

• Catering to the emerging techno-professional needs to the rapidly developing industrial belt comprising of Asansol-Durgapur-Andal area

The Primary Focus of the Proposed Campus

MAKAUT’s activities are not limited to Engineering, Technology, Architechture, Pharmacy and Management. Its ambit is the entire spectrum of human resource development activities. MAKAUT feels obliged to commit itself more broadly to the service of the society it belongs to. Thus, the Satellite Campus has chosen to design the courses in a way to leverage the local characteristics of the region. The following areas will be given priority:

•  Increasing the tourism attractions in and around the Bankura, Bishnupur region

•  To utilize more effectively the natural resources of the region, like palm leaves, medicinal plants etc

• To encourage the production and marketing of the crafts of regional distinction like terracotta products, dokra, handlooms etc

• To cater to the needs of professionals in the Asansol-Durgapur-Andal industrial belt

• To be a part of the process of modernization of the area centering around the Andal Airport

The Satellite Campus will have the following facilities, in order to fulfill these objectives:

a) The Technology Business Incubator of the University, ‘EKTA’ will have its branch in the Bankura Campus.

b) The campus will have a Biotechnology Park and Food Technology Park, which will be utilized for industrial cluster development projects. For example, importance will be given to commercially produce different items from Sal Leaves, handicrafts like Dokra and so on. The faculties and students of BUIE will be involved in all such activities. They will be given incentives, stipends or scholarships for such activities.

c) A course on Animation will commence from this campus and the development of Animation and Media Lab has already been completed for this purpose. The course will be introduced in collaboration with Hi-Tech Animation Academy.

d) A separate ‘Heritage Cell’ will function from the Bankura campus for conservation of archaeological sites. Several workshops will be organized for this purpose. The University has already been involved in the preservation of temples and places of archaeological interest.

e) A Poultry Farm Project will also be implemented in the Bankura Campus.

The Professional, Vocational and Skill based courses will be offered in the form of Degree, Diploma or Certificate levels. Strategic care will be taken by MAKAUT to develop and offer those courses that are NOT being taught by the Institutes in the region. It is proposed to start the courses and programmes from January 2020.

The following areas have been proposed by the University to offer innovative courses :

1) Courses on Socio-Economic development

In the Bankura Satellite Campus, there will be a Centre for Technology aided Rural Development. The main objective of this centre is to achieve a premier goal through an inclusive way by teaching, learning, experiencing and expanding knowledge education and understanding of rural Bengal and Rural India, the real India. It will not only give students the concerned knowledge and degree, but also implant the culture of rural responsibility and spirit of service for a developed future. The Centre will carry out graduation, post graduation and research programmes on: Rural Engineering and Technology, Rural Management and Precision Agriculture. The programmes will produce professionals who have the necessary competence to undertake applied research and play leadership and advisory roles in rural development, and in development management and administration in the rural context.

2) Courses on Professional Development

The University proposes to carry out Executive and Management Development Programmes for up-skilling the manpower employed in industries of Durgapur, Raniganj and Asansol. The objective is to create awareness amongst executives and managers on the application of emerging technologies like: Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence etc. Faculty Development Programmes will be organized specifically for the teaching faculties of the region to expose them in the areas of emerging technologies such as Machine Learning/Deep Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things/Embedded Systems and so on.

3) Degree Courses

In this campus the University proposes to offer degree courses especially on those with employment potential such as: B.Sc. in IT, Applied Data Sciences, Data Analytics etc, BCA, BBA.

4) Skill Based Courses

Firstly, the University will be a Rural Craft Hub for skill development for Dokra and Terracotta artisans. The main focus will be on courses on creative arts, capacity building, providing infrastructural and marketing support to local craftspersons, so that they can sell their products in the national and international markets.

Secondly, the University will focus on preservation and improvement of the skills of people associated with production of silk and traditional textile products and device strategies for their popularization in the international market. It may be mentioned in this context that the handloom sector of Bankura district is the second employment generating sector in rural economy.

5) Non-Degree Courses and Training Programmes

The University proposes to introduce a variety of diploma, certificate and training courses, which focus on generation of employment in the locality. These are in the areas of: Tourism Management, animation, Retail & Marketing management, Optometry, sports Management, Food Technology etc.

6) Start-Up and Entrepreneurship Development Programmes

The University proposes to encourage the local youth to establish their own start-up enterprises at a low capital cost through its EKTA Incubation Centre.

7) Reconstruction of Cultural Heritage Structures

In this campus MAKAUT will implement a project for reconstruction and preservation of cultural heritage structures, temples, historical buildings etc. in Bankura, Birbhum, Purulia and Burdwan. This project will involve participation of Archaeologists, Architects, Civil Engineers, Geologists, Computer Science Engineers, Designers, Historians etc.

8) Course on Aviation Technology

A course on Aviation Technology, that will encompass engineering and Management skills in this area will also commence from this campus. The course will cover advancements, discovery details and innovations in aviation industry. Important advances in navigation, air traffic control and its environmental impact will be incorporated in the course.

Conclusion

The broadening of the activities and services of MAKAUT in this region will have a positive impact in the society and economy of West Bengal. The University is committed to the all round development of the students and it hopes that through this Satellite Campus, the relatively downtrodden Jangal Mahal region will get a boost towards economic upliftment.