Tuesday, February 15 2005 17:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: The West Bengal Government would set up two centres for excellence in Information Technology and Bio-Technology in the State, Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee said today (Feb 15, 2005).

Speaking at a seminar on 'Prospects for Higher Technical Education in West Bengal', Bhattacharjee said that he had spoken to Reliance chief Mukesh Ambani for setting up an advanced institute for IT training at Kolkata, as the petrochem giant had already announced that it would come up with a 'Knowledge City' in the name of late Dhirubhai Ambani.

Bhattacharjee also said, he had talked to Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, for Central funding for a centre of excellence in Bio-Technology.

Regretting the lack of adequate teaching faculty in IT, he said that the State Government would encourage more Engineering colleges to increase the number of good teachers without compromising on quality.

He also mentioned that in 2004, West Bengal had topped the success rate among all States in General Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE).

At present, West Bengal has 52 engineering colleges where 13,000 students study.

The Chief Minister said that the World Bank had also agreed to provide Rs 153 crore for upgradation of Engineering colleges in West Bengal.

ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited) Chairman and Managing Director Subir Raha stressed on the importance of proficiency in English, etiquette and personal grooming for students in colleges and universities.