Science and Technology have always been integral parts of our socio-behavioural culture, promoted through various modes of technical education. The Government of Bihar has institutionalized this commitment by establishing a separate department called the 'Science & Technology' in 1978. Observing the actual work and relevance of the department, it was renamed to the Department of Science, Technology, and Technical Education (DSTTE) in June 2023. The department is dedicated to providing quality education in accordance with the parameters set by the All-India Council of Technical Education (AICTE).
- Department of Science, Technology & Technical Education, Bihar
To address the requirements in Science, Technology, and Technical Education, various institutions have been established under the aegis of DSTTE. Bihar Engineering University (BEU) was established in 2022, and all colleges and institutions providing education in Engineering and Technology have been deemed affiliated since March 2023. The State Board of Technical Education (SBTE) was constituted in 1955, and the Bihar Council on Science and Technology (BCST) was established in 1984. The objective of SBTE is to oversee the overall administration, evaluation, and certification of students studying in various government polytechnic institutes in the state. Meanwhile, BCST is dedicated to promoting science and technology in the state.
To ensure decentralized governance and provide process-related autonomy to government engineering colleges and government polytechnic institutes, the government of Bihar has recently approved the constitution of an 'Institute Development Society' in all institutions under the Society Registration Act of 1860. The government has also approved a consultancy policy for the institutions, developed with the objective of creating an ecosystem for self-sustainability toward Internal Revenue Generation (IRG) and providing an opportunity for substantial benefits for the institutes and individuals.
Under the Government's 'Seven Resolves' program and the Yuwa Upmission initiative, titled 'Awsar Badhe Aage Padhe,' 38 Government Engineering colleges and 46 Government polytechnics are being established in 38 districts of Bihar. State-of-the-art infrastructure, including administrative blocks, academic blocks, separate hostels for boys and girls, and faculty residences, has been constructed. Additionally, high-quality equipment, classrooms, laboratories, workshops, libraries, and smart classrooms have been provided to ensure quality technical education. Most institutions also feature facilities like playgrounds, playing courts, and auditoriums
The department is very much aware of the importance of having the right person for the right job. To ensure the delivery of quality technical education, teachers are recruited through the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). In total, 1,978 teachers of various categories have been recruited, with 1,258 for Government Engineering Colleges and 720 for Government Polytechnic Institutes through the BPSC.As of now, there are a total of 1,595 teachers actively contributing to the educational endeavours of Government Engineering Colleges, while Government Polytechnic Institutes benefit from the dedicated services of 1,161 teachers.
The department is keen on enhancing the teaching and learning experience for both faculty and students. Courses in emerging technologies have been introduced in various engineering and polytechnic institutes. The objective of these courses is to improve efficiency and productivity in their respective specialized fields, keeping them competitive in the market. In addition to traditional courses, new courses in emerging technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Data Science, Cybersecurity, Blockchain Technology, Fire Technology & Safety, Food Processing & Preservation, Biomedical Robotic Engineering, Networking, Web Technologies, Image Processing, Geo-Informatics, Geotechnical Engineering, and Transportation Engineering are now available at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels from the academic session 2022-23. Considering the service requirements in every aspect of building design in the construction industry, B.Arch. Engineering has been introduced at Gaya Engineering College starting from the academic session 2023-24.