The Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (IT-BHU) is an engineering institute under the aegis of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), situated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. IT-BHU has 13 departments and 3 inter-disciplinary schools, providing technical education with an emphasis on its industrial applications. Established in 1919, it is one of the oldest engineering institutes in India. It has regularly featured among the best engineering colleges in India.^[3][4]

IT-BHU has a residential and co-educational campus within the larger BHU campus which is spread over nearly 1,300 acres (5.3 km²) at the southern end of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges river. The institute in its present form came into existence after the integration of Banaras Engineering College (BENCO), College of Mining & Metallurgy (MINMET) and College of Technology (TECHNO) in 1971. It is slated for conversion into an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) under the amendment of the Institutes of Technology Act 2010 which has already been passed by the Lok Sabha.

The admission for undergraduate students is through Joint Entrance Examination conducted by the Indian Institutes of Technology and for post-graduates is through the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE).^[5] The Institute has produced more than 22,000 B.Tech. graduates, 2700 M.Tech. post graduates and 650 Ph.D. doctorates.

History

The beginning of IT-BHU is the establishment of the Banaras Engineering College (BENCO), College of Mining and Metallurgy (MINMET) and the College of Technology (TECHNO) respectively in the years 1919, 1923 and 1932. These three were merged to form the Institute of Technology (IT-BHU) which came into existence in 1971. The earlier system of region-wise admission (via merit lists) has been replaced by admission procedures through the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE of the IITs) for undergraduate courses and Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE conducted by the IITs and IISc).

Admissions

The selection procedure for students at undergraduate, postgraduate and research level is highly stringent and is somewhat similar to IITs. The earlier system of merit-based region-based admission in the colleges of BENCO, MINMET and TECHNO was replaced with all-India admission procedures at the time of formation of IT-BHU.

For undergraduate admissions, IT-BHU (along with the IITs and ISM Dhanbad) conducts the Joint Entrance Examination IIT-JEE. The undergraduate acceptance rate is around 2%, with more than 450,000 annual test takers. Admission to IT-BHU has been only through the IIT-JEE, since 1971.

For post-graduate studies students are selected by Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), is another highly competitive Entrance Examination, which strives to identify, at the National level, candidates for admission to Postgraduate Programmes in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science and Pharmacy in colleges across the country, including IITs. The GATE is held in 22 disciplines and some of the disciplines see up to 40,000 test-takers every year with only about 300 making it to IITs.

Assessments

It is one of India's oldest and highest-ranked engineering colleges.^[3][4] IT-BHU bags 'Outstanding Engineering Institute (North)' in Star News National B-School Awards - 2011.^[6] IT-BHU is ranked among the top ten technology schools in India. In May, 2005, a survey of engineering schools ranked IT-BHU at number 5 overall, and at number 1 in the development of "Intellectual Capital".

Many of its departments, called branches, come under the category of "Centre Of Advanced Studies", a distinction awarded by India's University Grants Commission.

According to a survey of leading technical colleges in India carried out by World Bank in August 2003, IT-BHU was ranked second in research, after the Indian Institute of Science. Another study, published in the journal Current Sciences, on the publication output of engineering schools, ranks IT-BHU third and the IISc first.

Conversion of IT-BHU into an IIT

Committees constituted by MHRD (Professors Joshi and Anand Krishnan Committees^[7]) have recommended for the conversion of the Institute into an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).^[8] On July 17, 2008, the government of India issued a press release giving "In principle approval for taking over the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University – a constituent unit of the Banaras Hindu University, a Central University, its conversion into an Indian Institute of Technology and integrating it with the IIT system in the country." ^[9] BHU Executive Council has approved the proposal of the HRD ministry to convert IT-BHU to an IIT. The new institute will be called IIT BHU, Varanasi and it will retain academic and administrative ties to BHU.

On August 30, 2010 a bill seeking to amend the Institutes of Technology Act 1961 to declare IT-BHU an IIT was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for HRD, D Purandeswari.^[10][11] Following certain questions raised by the Standing Committee which were since answered by the HRD ministry,^[12] the bill was scheduled to be tabled in the Feb-April 2011 Parliament session.^[13]

On March 24, 2011, Lok Sabha passed the Institutes of Technology Amendment Bill, 2010 which converts IT-BHU to an IIT.^[14] The next step is adoption of the Bill by the Rajya Sabha.

Departments

• Computer Engineering
• Ceramic Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronics Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Mining Engineering
• Pharmaceutical Engineering

Applied Departments

• Applied Chemistry
• Applied Mathematics
• Applied Physics

Schools

• Biochemical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Material Science and Technology

Academic programs

The institute follows the semester system and offers the following courses:

• B. Tech. (four year duration)
• Integrated M. Tech (five year duration)
• M. Tech Dual Degree (IDD B.Tech + M.Tech degrees) (five year duration)
• M. Tech. (two year duration)
• M. Sc. (in Applied Sciences)
• B Pharma and M Pharma (5 year course)
• Ph.D (all engineering, science and interdisciplinary areas)

Besides these programs the institute offers Ph.D programs in specializations. During the courses students have enough time for extracurricular activities beside assisting faculty members in their research projects. Each theory and laboratory course has credits assigned to it depending on its lecture and laboratory contact hours in a week. A seven-point letter grade (with specified number of grade points) is awarded in each course for which a student is registered. A student’s performance is measured by the number of credits earned and also by the weighted grade point average earned for a semester/year/course.

The institute has laboratories and workshops, computer facilities in all departments/schools in addition to a Central Computer Centre. The institute has one main library along with Departmental Libraries. These libraries house more than 200,000 books and subscribe to scientific and technical journals. These journals may be accessed via the Internet.

Recognitions

Four of its departments (Metallurgical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mining Engineering and Chemical Engineering) are recognized by the government of India as Centers of Advanced Studies. The Department of Metallurgical Engineering was the first CAS recognized engineering department of India. The departments are supported under FIST, SAP and DST schemes of government of India.

Research

Faculty members and research scholars are engaged in research and development work in engineering and technology with the support of funding agencies such as UGC, CSIR, DOE, DST, ARDB, DAE, AICTE, DRDO, and industries such as TISCO, ONGC, SAIL, BHEL, HINDALCO, GAIL, FCI, and COAL INDIA. The institute provides industrial consultancy and testing services to industry.

MCIIE and Entrepreneurship Cell

Malaviya Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (MCIIE) was established in 2008. The objective of the MCIIE is to produce successful firms that will leave the program financially viable. Incubator tenants not only benefit from business and technical assistance, they also benefit from official affiliation with the incubator, a supportive community with an entrepreneurial environment, direct link to entrepreneurs, and immediate networking and commercial opportunities with other tenant firms.^[15] Programmes under MCIIE include:

• Open Learning Programme in Entrepreneurship (OLPE)
• Entrepreneurship Development and Awareness Programs
• Technology Business Incubator (TBI) sponsored by National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board, DST, New Delhi.
• Techno Entrepreneurial Promotion Program: TePP Out Reach Centre^[16]

Festivals

The institute organizes the technical fest "Technex", cultural fest "Kashiyatra" and sports fest "Spardha".

Technex

TECHNEX (TECHNical EXcellence) has its footsteps, dating back to 1939. Technex brings together students from all over the country to participate in the celebration of knowledge and creative extravagance along with experts from the fields of both academia and industry. It hosts various challenging events based on Software Development, Model Exhibition, Paper & Poster presentation, Astronomy, Robotics, general awareness and many more. With technological innovation scaling new heights, Technex promises to keep a tab on the advancements and stay in sync with the mood of the times.

KashiYatra

The IT BHU Cultural festival is called Kashiyatra. Started in 1982, Kashiyatra also took on the names of Sparsh and Spandan at several stages. ITBHU was the first engineering college in the nation to host Kavi Sammelan as a part of its cultural fest.

The rock culture of ITBHU has witnessed the rise of bands like Hot Rocks and Alloy. Crosswindz- the Rock Nite of Kashiyatra has seen performances by bands such as Parikrama and Indian Ocean. Legends like Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Shubha Mudgal, Shaan, Lucky Ali, Shibani Kashyap have performed at KY. In 2006, Mirage - the fashion show - was graced by Miss India Earth Niharika Singh.

Spardha

Spardha has evolved into one of the biggest and most eagerly anticipated sports extravaganzas in India. Over 1800 competitors from 40 colleges, including IITs and NITs, congregate at the Mecca of college sports gathering.

A majority of the games are held under floodlights including football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, badminton and kabaddi. Several others, such as athletics, cricket and hockey take place on the playground during the day.

ITBHU Global Alumni Association

As the official alumni association, ITBHU Global Alumni Association acts as the conglomeration of chapters of IT BHU Alumni world wide. It brings together the alumni, the students and the faculty of ITBHU to come up with ideas for institute improvement projects and implement them collaboratively. Some of the projects by the Alumni Association include Wi-Fi connectivity on the Campus, CSE Lecture theatre, alumni guest house, and a girl's hostel.

ITBHU Chronicle

The Chronicle is a monthly online news magazine published by IT-BHU Global Alumni Association. Its first issue was published in May 2005. The magazine represents news and views of the IT-BHU community including students, alumni, faculty and administration.

Kashi Utkarsh

This is an organization working for the welfare of society, working in slum areas like an NGO. This is one of the Institute's student body organizations.

Prastuti

The National paper presentation contest held by Department of Electrical Engineering every year.

Notable alumni

• Nikesh Arora, President, Global Sales Operations and Business Development, Google^[17]
• Manoj Sinha, Bharatiya Janata Party politician and former Lok Sabha member from Ghazipur district^[18]

References

External links

• Official website