Govt plans IT hub in Patna, new-age courses in engineering colleges

Patna: Finance minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav on Tuesday said the Bihar govt has decided to develop an information technology (IT) hub in Patna and give a major push to teaching new-age courses in engineering colleges while also promoting scientific interest and temperament among students and the wider public.Yadav said the govt has decided to develop Patna as the IT hub of the state, for which space is being allotted to investors and entrepreneurs at the Biscomaun Tower, located near the western end of Gandhi Maidan.While the development of the IT hub falls under the IT department, the govt has also taken additional steps to introduce new courses aligned with emerging technologies in engineering colleges. These initiatives, along with efforts to promote scientific temperament among youth and others, come under the science, IT and technical education department.For the IT hub project, IT companies are being provided space free of cost in the identified software park at the Biscomaun Tower. The IT department has already acquired the ninth, 13th and 14th floors of the building, Yadav said. To promote innovation and entrepreneurship, plug-and-play office spaces on the ninth and 13th floors have been allotted free of cost to 31 startups.In parallel, the science, IT and technical education department has introduced new graduate-level courses in engineering colleges, in addition to traditional programmes. These include artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, data science, cyber security, blockchain technology, network studies, civil engineering with computer application, 3D animation and graphics, among others.The govt has also opened the A P J Abdul Kalam Science City in Patna, where regular screenings and activities are planned to demonstrate the use of scientific principles in everyday life and to generate interest in science and technology among school students.Further, the govt has cleared a proposal to constitute an Artificial Intelligence Mission, under which three AI Centres of Excellence will be established in the state to accelerate social, economic and regional development.In addition, administrative sanction has been granted for the release of Rs 39 crore for the establishment of three digital planetarium-cum-space and technology education centres, one each in East Champaran, Jamui and Purnia districts, with central assistance. Work on these projects is expected to begin in the 2026-27 financial year.