MAKAUT plans minor degrees to 'keep core engineering relevant'

The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT) is one of West Bengal's largest affiliating universities, overseeing over 200 engineering and professional colleges across the state. It caters not only to students from West Bengal but also to many from Bihar and the Northeast. In a conversation with Pritha Roy Choudhury, its VC Tapas Chakraborty shares insights into the university's curriculum reforms, focus on industry readiness, and efforts to enhance national rankings. Edited excerpts:

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Q. The higher education sector in West Bengal has seen its share of challenges in recent years. How do you see the current situation and its impact on students and teachers?

A. Yes, it's true. And students are being affected. At times, we even feel helpless. But we continue to remain hopeful. West Bengal, historically, has been known for its academic culture and intellectual pursuits. It should have been one of the leading states in terms of excellence in higher education. We have that legacy, we have the right mindset, and a large number of students are still genuinely interested in academic careers.

The problem isn't the lack of talent — we have many high-quality teachers. But unfortunately, they don't want to stay here. Everyone is looking for a more stable environment, and right now, we are not in a position to offer that stability for various reasons.

Q. What is your view on the current state of technical education in West Bengal?

A. Technical education in West Bengal is evolving. MAKAUT has around 200 affiliated colleges in engineering, management, and pharmacy — many located in sub-divisional towns — making higher education accessible to all, including those from rural and semi-urban areas.

Also, we offer multiple entry pathways. For engineering courses, students primarily take the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE). Additionally, MAKAUT conducts its own Common Entrance Test (CET) for admission to non-AICTE professional programmes, such as media science, hospital management, and various emerging fields.

With low-cost government colleges, private institutions, and financial support like the student credit card scheme, the university continues to create meaningful opportunities for students.

Q. Are the colleges distributed well across the state?