Upgradation of BESU, Shibpur to IIT, Shibpur

Shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee
Chief Minister of West Bengal
Govt. of West Bengal,
Writers' Buildings,
Kolkata - 700001, India

November 16, 2005

Dear Shri Bhattacharjee:

We, the alumni/alumnae, students, faculty, staffs, administrators and well wishers of Bengal Engineering & Science University (erstwhile BEC/BECDU), are encouraged by your recent statement that you will give attention to improve the educational sector in West Bengal as it has fallen behind other states. In this connection, we would like to draw your attention on the issue of upgrading BESUS to an IIT. You are aware that S.K.Joshi commission appointed by MHRD has selected BESUS as the third best institute for upgradation to IIT. MHRDs expert committee will be visiting the campus on 2nd of December to find out the academic, administrative and infrastructural strengths and weaknesses of BESUS before taking a decision of its upgradation. MHRD will then send their recommendation to the State Governments for their concurrence. We are sure, you will agree that approval of upgradation of BESUS by the West Bengal Government will be step in the right direction in improving the technical education in WB. You might ask how this upgradation is going to help the State of West Bengal. In our opinion, following rationale would establish as to why we believe, this upgradation will benefit the state:

1) As you are trying to revitalize the economic condition of WB by attracting knowledge-based industry, it will need highly trained technical personnel. IITs are in a better position to supply them. Top-tier companies tend to relocate to places with top-tier schools. A second IIT will meet that need.

2) Presently, top students leave Calcutta if they are offered admissions to IITs/IISc/BITs. With an IIT in Calcutta, there will be net brain gain rather than brain drain. The top companies pay premium to hire them. This increases their buying capacity that is spent in the state; thus increases economic activities in the state.

3) IITs with greater financial strength provide incubation facilities of high-tech ventures. As a result, the graduating students from IITs are not only working for reputable corporations but they are also creating jobs with high income potential through such ventures. They, thus become engines of economic development for the state.

4) BESUS is not well-known outside the state and not known at all outside India. This creates problem for the BESUS graduates to get admission to a good school or to get proper recognition of their capability.

5) BESUS has an unparallel location advantage by being close to the developed infrastructure of Calcutta and Howrah with a large developed residential campus. However, BESUS has not been able to utilize this fully. This advantage can be properly exploited by the state if it becomes a national institution.

6) If it is converted to IIT, Central Government will provide an annual grant of at least Rs. 100 Cr. WBG, which presently provides a grant of Rs. 16 Cr., will be relieved of the financial burden to run this institute. The money, thus saved, can be diverted to other technical colleges for upgrading their infrastructures, resulting in better facilities and attracting better students.

Considering those facts, we would request you to take a look at this issue and agree to convert BESUS to an IIT. In addition, as BESUS will be celebrating 150th anniversary next year, the upgradation will be the proper way to honor the contributions of our college in the development of pre- as well as post-independent India. West Bengal will be in a unique position to have three top-tier engineering schools (Shibpur, Kharagpur and Jadavpur) in the country. If WB Government does not do that, interests of the future generation of WB will suffer. We believe, as Chief Minister who is trying to bring West Bengal into the 21st century, you would not allow this to happen. We thank you for your time and look forward for a positive response.


Best regards,