The Meghnad Saha Institute of Technology, which was set up in 2001 by the Techno India Group, has now become a full-fledged institute. It offers five undergraduate courses in computer science and engineering, electronics and communication engineering, information technology, electrical engineering and civil engineering.

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The courses are approved by the department of higher education of the West Bengal government and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The institute has received affiliation from the West Bengal University of Technology.

“The institute draws its strength from the four engineering colleges built by the Techno India Group in West Bengal,” says Satyen Mitra, administrator of the institute. He adds that the focus of the institute is towards the all-round growth of students. The institute places particular emphasis on gentle manners and good conduct of students in addition to academic excellence.

Apart from engineering courses, the college offers MBA, BBA and BCA. While the engineering course costs Rs 41,200 per year, the four-semester (two-year) MBA costs Rs 54,000 per semester. However, the three-year BCA costs Rs 1,27,850.

Admission is based on performance in the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination and the All India Engineering Entrance Examination. Students have to take the JELET (Joint Entrance Examination for Lateral Admission) for admission to the second year of the BTech course. For the MBA course, students have to appear for the JEMAT (Joint Entrance Examination for Management Studies).

Extensive lecture sessions coupled with interactive group discussion and individual project assignments constitute a major portion of the courses offered. Laboratory-based classes along with team projects and presentations is also a part of the teaching modes applied in the college.

“We have a regular system of appraisal to evaluate the performance of students and the effectiveness of teaching,” says Prajit Ghosh, principal. Group discussions to develop interpersonal skills and leadership qualities are encouraged.

“Our college plays a proactive and responsive role in catering to social, individual and industrial needs,” says Ghosh.

The college has a modern computer laboratory with sophisticated servers, latest equipment and a wide range of software. Internet access is given to all students and all first-year students get laptops. “The college has wi-fi connectivity and there is a digital course material archive that supplements the regular course material for ready reference,” says Ghosh.

The civil and electronics departments have collaborative arrangements with renowned organisations of national and international repute. “We have tie-ups with the Indian Institutes of Technology at Kharagpur, Kanpur and Mumbai, S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Jadavpur University, Calcutta University and Bengal Engineering and Science University,” says Mitra.

“The college has a special career development cell to assist students in their chosen profession,” says Arun Mitra, visiting professor of quality management and in-charge of the career development cell. The career development cell of the institute helps students gain better skills and improve their communication abilities.

The college has a library that houses around 30,000 books. A new library is being planned over a 10,000 square feet area. The institute also holds additional classes and organises tutorials for students. “We try to develop an emotional attachment with students so that they are able to put in their best,” says Mitra.

The college places strong emphasis on extracurricular activities. Students take part in debates, quizzes and technical festivals.

“We have a close association with the American library and have taken part in several debates and extempore sessions organised by them,” says Saptaparna Ray, English lecturer in the department of basic sciences and humanities. “Our students do well in competitions since they regard teachers as friends,” she says.

“I think the examination system here is a demanding one that spurs students to do well,” says Surya Singha, a second year electronics and communications student.

As far as jobs are concerned, the college has a campus placement cell and students have got good job offers from reputed multinational companies in the past, Ghosh concludes reassuringly.

Vital Statistics:-

WHAT IS IT? A co-educational technical institute.

WHO’S THE BOSS? Prajit Ghosh is the principal.

How cheap IS IT? Courses start from Rs 22,000 per semester.

WHAT ABOUT JOBS? There is a placement cell.

WHERE TO STAY? The college has franchisee hostels located near the campus.

WHERE IS IT? Techno Complex, Madurdaha, Beside NRI Complex, Uchhepota, Calcutta-700150. Phone: 033-24431032, 033-30943462; fax: 24431032
E-mail: info@msitcollege.org

Sources:The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)