IIEST, Shibpur
Research university in West Bengal, India
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur(ⓘ) (abbr. IIEST Shibpur) is a public technological
research university located at Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal, India. Founded in 1856,[3] it is one of the Institutes of National Importance funded by the Ministry of Education of the Government of India.[4][5][6] It is regulated by the Council of NITSER.[7][8][9] It is the fourth oldest engineering institute in India.[10][3] In October 2010, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for the conversion of the Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) at Shibpur to India's first Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST). IIEST is a member of the Association of Indian Universities.[11]
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| Motto | Uttiṣṭhata jāgrata prāpya varān nibodhata |
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Motto in English | Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached |
| Type | Public technological research university |
| Established | 24 November 1856 |
Academic affiliations | |
| Budget | ₹245 crore (US$29.0 million) (2026–27)[1] |
| Chairperson | Tejaswini Ananth Kumar |
| Director | V. M. S. R. Murthy[2] |
Academic staff | 279 (2025)[1] |
| Students | 4,179 (2025)[1] |
| Undergraduates | 2,872 (2025)[1] |
| Postgraduates | 560 (2025)[1] |
| 747 (2025)[1] | |
| Location | , , India 22°33′21″N 88°18′20″E |
| Campus | Metropolis 123 acres (50 ha) |
| Colours | Violet & Gold |
| Nickname | BE college |
| Mascot | Clock tower |
| Website | www |
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History
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The university was founded as the Civil Engineering College on 24 November 1856, in the Writers' Building, Calcutta (now Kolkata).[12][13][14] The college was established as an independent entity in 1880 as Government College, Howrah, on the premises of Bishop's College in Shibpur, Howrah. In 1921, the name of the college was changed to Bengal Engineering College. B.E. College was previously affiliated to the University of Calcutta. At that time, it contained only civil and mechanical engineering departments.[15] Classes used to be held in the Writers' Building. Later, from 1865 to 1869, the college was affiliated to Presidency College, Calcutta.[16] Several other departments were created subsequently over the years, the last among them being that of Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mechanics in 2010.
Following an endorsement from a UGC Expert Committee, the Ministry of Human Resource Development designated the institution as a Deemed University in 1992, marking a significant milestone in its academic evolution.[17]
Established in November 2003, the S.K. Joshi Committee was mandated by the Government of India to evaluate and shortlist premier engineering institutions for potential elevation to the status of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Ultimately, the committee identified seven candidate institutions for this strategic upgradation, most notably including the Bengal Engineering College.[18][19]
On 1 October 2004, the institution was conferred the status of a full-fledged state university.[20] It was formally inaugurated as Bengal Engineering and Science University by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the President of India, on 13 July 2005.[21]
Post 2010
In October 2010, the Union Cabinet ratified the 2006 M. Anandakrishnan Committee’s proposal to transform the Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU), Shibpur, into India’s inaugural Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST). This strategic evolution was designed to establish an institution of international prestige, dedicated to cultivating elite human capital for the nation’s strategic sectors. Beyond technical training, the mandate envisioned the development of advanced research laboratories and the nurturing of distinguished educators to elevate the standards of engineering and science education nationwide.[22] An amount of ₹ 592.20 crore was earmarked for the project, and it was to be completed over a period of five years.[23]
In March 2014, the institute was conferred the status of an INI and was renamed Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur by the Govt. of India by suitably amending the National Institutes of Technology and Science Education and Research Act, 2007. The conversion process of BESU to IIEST was mentored by IIT Kanpur.[24][25] The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, inaugurated it as IIEST on 24 August 2014.[26][27]
In June 2014, the Government of West Bengal formally inaugurated the Indian Institute of Information Technology Kalyani. Concurrently, the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur, was appointed as its mentor institution to provide foundational academic and administrative guidance during its establishment.[28][29]
In December 2014, the institute's founding director Ajoy Kumar Ray, in a sorrowful tone, said, "We have the fund now, but land-space crunch is the biggest problem. We have 121 acres of land with us and we need 100 acres more. Otherwise, the institute's expansion would be pretty critical."[30]
Campus
A master plan proposed along with the existing campus layout was presented. Five new infrastructure projects were planned, and some are ongoing, including a 1000-seat girls' hostel, an academic block, a research and innovation park, and an auditorium and convention hall. The total estimated cost is ₹ 787 crore.[31][32]
Salt Lake campus
During the institute’s convocation in December 2024, the Governor formally announced the establishment of a secondary IIEST campus in Salt Lake, Sector III. Spanning 38.5 kattahs, this strategic expansion is designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice by fostering robust academia-industry collaborations. The facility will serve as a specialized hub for innovation, offering tailored part-time programs and professional development courses curated specifically for working professionals. By situating this annex in a prominent commercial district, the institute aims to cultivate a dynamic ecosystem where academic research and industrial application converge to drive regional technological advancement.[33]
Organisation and administration
Governance
Like all NITs, the institute follows an organizational structure where the President of India is the ex officio visitor of IIEST Shibpur, at the top of the hierarchy. Directly under the president is the Council of NITSER. Under the Council of NITSER is the Board of Governors of IIEST, Shibpur. The Board of Governors consists of the chairperson, director, and twelve members, which include government, industry, alumni, and faculty representation. The Senate Standing Committee comprises the director, the Secretary to the Senate, deans, department heads, and the registrar. In September 2023, Tejaswini Ananth Kumar was appointed as chairperson of the Board of Governors of the Institution for a period of three years.[34]
The Board of Governors is the apex body, responsible for setting the strategic direction and overseeing the institute's overall performance. This board comprises individuals from academia, industry, and government. Complementing the Board of Governors is the Academic Council, which focuses on academic policies, curriculum development, and the maintenance of educational standards. The council ensures that the institute's programs remain relevant and aligned with the latest advancements in technology and science. Financial management is handled by the Finance Committee, which oversees budgeting, resource allocation, and financial planning.[citation needed]
Departments
Schools
Eight 'schools of excellence' in IIEST are:[35]
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Centres
Following are the multi-disciplinary centers located in IIEST Shibpur:[36]
- Center of Healthcare Science and Technology
Academics
Ramanujan Central Library
The institute's Ramanujan Central Library occupies 3,000 m2 (32,000 ft2) and houses 158,000 books, 41,000 bound volumes of journals, and a collection of documents, such as patents, standards, technical reports, and pamphlets.[37] The library has old and rare books and journals of the nineteenth century.[38]As a member of the e-ShodhSindhu consortium, the library provides access to over 6,500 full-text e-journals. This includes major databases such as IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect (Elsevier), and Scopus.
Admission procedure
Undergraduate programs to the various engineering disciplines (4-year B.Tech. programs) and architecture (5-year B.Arch. program) are granted via JEE Main, taking 50% students from the home state (West Bengal)[39] and 50% from other states.[40][41] For PG programs, admission is through the GATE for M.Tech. courses and the Joint Admission Test for Masters for MSc. programs in Physics, Chemistry, Applied Mathematics, Applied Geology, Food Processing, and Nutrition Science.[42] Students are also admitted in Ph.D. programs twice a year through online applications.[43]
Ranking and reputation
IIEST Shibpur was ranked in the 401–450 band among the top universities in the Asia category by the QS Asia Ranking 2024.
In India, IIEST Shibpur was ranked 49th among engineering institutes by the NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) rankings in 2024 and 4th in Architecture & Planning.[44]
Academic collaboration
In November 2016, IIEST Shibpur and Hiroshima University (HU) formally established an International Exchange Agreement to enhance academic and research cooperation. Represented by Professor Hafizur Rahaman and HU President Mitsuo Ochi, the partnership builds on existing links through the HiSENS Research Center and the TAOYAKA Program. This collaboration focuses on semiconductor technology, sensor research, and doctoral human resource development, fostering a robust innovation bridge between India and Japan that continues through joint symposiums like ISDCS.[45] In 2017, the institute collaborated with the US-based University of California, Irvine, and signed an MoU to offer dual degree programmes from both universities.[46]
Research
IIEST, Shibpur remains a premier hub for interdisciplinary research in India. Its research ecosystem is characterized by a shift toward sustainable infrastructure, green energy, and advanced healthcare technology, supported by significant recent private endowments and government grants. In May 2017, the Ministry of AYUSH authorized an ₹11 crore grant for the establishment of the Dr. Bholanath Chakroborty Fundamental Research Laboratory on Homeopathy. This strategic investment aims to bolster the scientific infrastructure of homeopathic medicine, facilitating advanced empirical research and academic inquiry into its foundational principles.[47]
In a landmark moment for the IIEST, Shibpur, the institute received a significant private endowment of ₹8.6 crore ($1 million) in January 2025. This generous contribution was made by Dr. Arun Deb, a distinguished 1957 Civil Engineering alumnus and former faculty member, to establish the Arun and Dhriti Deb Center of Water and Environmental Studies (ADDCWES).The center’s mandate encompasses critical areas such as groundwater arsenic mitigation, wastewater recycling, and sustainable sanitation solutions.[48]
Chirasree Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure Development (CCSID) is a cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research hub at IIEST Shibpur. Formally inaugurated on March 29, 2025, it was established to tackle the urgent global challenges of climate change and rapid urbanization through "frugal" and sustainable engineering.[49]
In 2026, the institute has emerged as a critical player in the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) program. This initiative, launched by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), is a flagship "Hub-and-Spoke" model designed to elevate the research standards of Indian universities through strategic mentorship. Through the IISc-led PAIR network, IIEST Shibpur is actively involved in transdisciplinary research.[50]
Institute-Industry partnership
In April 2017, an MoU was signed between the Institute and the Indian Paint Association for a Master's Programme in Coating Sciences & Technology from the academic session 2017. Joint research projects would also be undertaken.[51] In October 2020, an MoU was signed between the Institute and IBM for collaboration on research, development of learning content, software, and faculty training. To promote research and innovation, particularly in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector in the state of West Bengal, a collaboration MoU was signed between the institute and the state-based advocacy group Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Bengal Chamber Premises.[52]
Student Life
Established in 1932, REBECA (Reunion and Bengal Engineering College Annuals) stands as the crown jewel of IIEST Shibpur’s cultural legacy, distinguished as India's oldest student-led festival. It serves as a rhythmic bridge between the institute’s storied past and its vibrant present, uniting a global alumni network with the current student body. Spanning four days, the festival traverses a diverse sonic landscape—from the soul-stirring depth of Classical Night to the high-octane energy of Bollywood and Bangla Rock finales. Beyond the spectacle of "Pro-shows," REBECA is an emotional homecoming, fostering a unique "BEing" spirit through intellectual debates, musical battles, and nostalgic reunions under the iconic Clock Tower.[53]
Notable people
Notable faculty
- John Samuel Slater, principal[54]
- Sankar Sen, professor of the electrical engineering department.[55]
- Joseph Allen Stein, professor and head of the Department of Architecture[56]
Notable alumni
- Bimal Kumar Bose, scholar in Power Electronics, Chondra Chair of Excellence in Power Electronics, professor emeritus at the University of Tennessee, member of National Academy of Engineering[57]
- Rajen Mookerjee, industrialist, co-founder of Martin Burn & Co. and founder of Indian Iron & Steel Co. Ltd.[58]
- Satish Chandra Samanta, foremost freedom fighter, revolutionary, established the Tamralipta Jatiya Sarkar during the Quit India Movement.[59]
- Gagan Chandra Biswas, industrialist, engineer, businessman and Zamindar.[60][61]
- Shankar Nath Rimal, Nepalese civil engineer, designer of the modern Nepalese flag[62]
- Jatindranath Sengupta, poet and writer.[63]
- Fazlur Rahman Khan, called the "Father of Structural Engineering" by the American Society of Civil Engineers.[64]
- Renuka Dasgupta, singer
- Abhijit Chowdhury, film director and writer
- Narayan Sanyal, Academy Award winner and famous writer of Biswasghatak, "Dandak Shabari", and "Shyatakam"[65]
- Binoy Majumdar, Bengali poet, author, winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award.[66]
