Patna: In a pioneering move set to transform technical education in Bihar, the State Board of Technical Education (SBTE), Bihar, has signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Spoken Tutorial Project of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. This initiative will provide free, video-based, multilingual technical training to students enrolled in polytechnic and engineering colleges across the state.
The agreement marks a significant step in aligning Bihar’s technical education ecosystem with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Skill India Mission, with a strong focus on experiential learning, digital access, and enhancing employability.
Key Features of the MoU
Free Certified Training: Students will receive complimentary access to online training in various in-demand tools and technologies such as Python, Java, C++, Linux, LaTeX, LibreOffice, MySQL, PHP, Blender, and GIMP.
Multilingual Learning: Courses will be offered in Hindi, English, and several other Indian languages to ensure inclusivity and ease of understanding.
Certification by IIT Bombay: After completing the training and online evaluations, participants will receive certificates from IIT Bombay, enhancing their employability with nationally recognized credentials.
Self-Paced Digital Learning: The program supports self-paced learning, enabling students—especially those from rural and semi-urban areas – to study at their convenience and overcome barriers to accessing advanced training.
Institution-Level Coordination: Each participating institution will appoint local coordinators to support students through the registration, training, and assessment processes.
Statewide Rollout: SBTE has committed to implementing the program across all government polytechnic and engineering institutions within the next six months.
Statement from SBTE Secretary, Dr Chandrashekhar Singh
“This MoU is a game-changer for technical education in Bihar. Our aim is not just to award degrees, but to empower students with hands-on, practical skills that meet global standards. Through this partnership, students will gain access to high-quality, practice-based content from IIT Bombay – completely free of cost.”
Dr Singh also highlighted that the initiative will serve as a faculty development tool, equipping educators with modern digital content and teaching resources to better support student learning.
Impact and Significance
This collaboration marks a major milestone in advancing Bihar’s technical education landscape. It prepares students for the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution by exposing them to globally relevant tools, software, coding languages, and digital certifications.
By offering high-quality training and assessment free of charge, the partnership strengthens both student potential and the institutional capacity across the state – setting a new benchmark for inclusive and scalable skill development in India.
