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The state has been aggressively promoting
the setting up of new private engineering colleges, especially
those offering IT education. The state has set up the Indian
Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in SALTLEC.
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36 out of 39 Engineering and Technology Colleges
including University Departments offer IT education in the state
leading to a BE/ B. Tech degree. This includes 12 colleges recently
set up by the private sector.
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Tata Infotech and NIIT are involved in enhancing
Computer Education in General Degree colleges.
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Colleges teaching IT and IT related subjects
would be affiliated to the newly established West Bengal University
of Technology.
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The IT Department is involving Microsoft and
Compaq in establishing a lab for a Faculty Development Centre
for IT teachers affiliated to the West Bengal University of
Technology.
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The Netaji Subhas Open University, in collaboration
with the Regional Computer Centre, Kolkata, has set up a school
of Digital Learning offering modular courses in Web Application
and Information Technology, and Multimedia Content Development.
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Working with Jadavpur University, the IT Department
has introduced distance education in three engineering colleges.
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IT major Microsoft Corporation has signed a
MoU for starting a Training Institute for IT teachers in various
state government colleges.
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CISCO Networking Academies have been set up
in the State by WEBEL. The local academies are expected to start
functioning in the ensuing academic year to train specialist
networking engineers who will receive globally recognised CISCO
certification.
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The Institute of Computer Engineers is already
running DOEACC ‘O’ and ‘A’ level courses
in sixty-nine colleges.
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IBM, Oracle and Microsoft are keen on introducing
advanced Computer Education in the Universities and Engineering
Colleges.
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Computer education will soon be introduced
in all general degree colleges.
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The Department of Technical Education is running
10 Polytechnics in the state for courses on Information Technology
and Computer Science & Technology.
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The IT Department has provided hardware and
software identified by the Department of School Education to
100 schools as part of the School IT Education Programme. Computer
Education from class VII to class XII has already been introduced
in these government-aided schools through NIIT. WIPRO and WEBEL
have begun the introduction of Computer Education in the next
batch of 100 schools. A third batch of 100 schools is introducing
Computer Education via the joint initiative of WEBEL and IBM.
Current plans contemplate the eventual introduction of Computer
Education in most of the 10,000 state schools.
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The School Education Department is setting
up District Computer Centers in each district with a grant from
the Eleventh Finance Commission.
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INTEL is starting a program for training school
teachers in computer education.
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IBM is planning Centres of Excellence in Jadavpur
University and IIIT in partnership with the state.
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Kolkata offers local talent with domain knowledge
in Financial services and Travel & Logistics, thanks to
the large banking presence in the city mentioned earlier as
also the port complexes and the fact it is a logistics hub for
the 11 Eastern states. IT companies prefer locations where they
can benefit from serving such specific industry verticals and
Kolkata has the potential to develop strong verticals in another
3 other areas – insurance, manufacturing and retail &
distribution – due in large part to the strong presence
of many successful businesses in these three areas.
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The state’s educational infrastructure
generates a large pool of trained manpower especially where
units require advanced design capabilities, extensive testing
personnel or simply skilled manpower. Business Processing Outsourcing
(BPO) is an area where West Bengal and Kolkata has plenty to
offer, with its long history of publishing, high-end scientific
research and large number of established engineering consulting
firms. From data entry and medical transcription to expert knowledge
services requiring specialists, West Bengal has the resources
to cater to them all with its large pool of college graduates
who can speak English fluently without any pronounced accent.
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With plenty of creative talent, potential
exists in areas as diverse as developing multi-media and animation
content, software for various forms of media, contract R&D
facilities for a host of sectors including biotechnology and
genetics, engineering consulting and the like. Known for its
rich academics, R&D, cultural/artistic heritage and brainpower,
the state offers immense opportunities for the Information Technology
Sector.
