Government Polytechnic College in Nagpur is poised to enhance its training capabilities with the establishment of a new Center of Excellence (CoE) focusing on advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0, 3D Printing, and related fields. This initiative is part of a broader effort to boost capacity training and research and development (R&D) in government polytechnic and engineering colleges across Maharashtra.
The development follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 11, 2024, in New Delhi. The agreement was made between the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, and the Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE), Mumbai, representing the Government of Maharashtra.
The event was attended by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India, and Shri Chandrakant (Dada) Patil, Hon’ble Minister of Higher & Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra. Also present were Dr. Vinod Mohitkar, Director of Technical Education, Maharashtra, Dr. Pramod Naik, Director of MSBTE, and various officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
The objective of this MoU is to establish CoEs that will serve as hubs for training, skill development, and R&D in AI, Robotics, IoT, and other emerging technologies at government polytechnic and engineering colleges in Maharashtra. These centers will receive funding from MeitY and other government bodies through joint project proposals.
NIELIT will lead the training and learning programs at these centers, collaborating with industries to develop course content, provide placement support for students, and maintain the facilities to ensure they operate effectively. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic training and industry requirements, enhancing the employability of students.
Currently, the Government of Maharashtra oversees 40 government polytechnic institutions in the state. Centers of Excellence in IoT have already been established at six polytechnics, while three institutions host CoEs in Robotics and Automation. The new initiative will extend these facilities to remaining colleges, including Nagpur’s Government Polytechnic, ensuring widespread access to state-of-the-art technology training and resources.