'Pvt Engg colleges should stress on practical training'

"There is no harm to think of doing business but your main aim should be to churn out qualitatively developed students who are fit for the job market. You should strive towards becoming centres of excellence to attract students from other states also. A number of private engineering colleges across the country have closed down as they have been deemed 'substandard' by the All India Council for Technical Education(AICTE). We have to keep this in mind and constantly strive towards upgrading curriculum as per requirement of the industry," Basu said at the inaugural programme of the three-day Education Interface at Netaji Indoor Stadium on Saturday.

Education Interface is a platform that provides a plethora of opportunities for aspirants and offers pre-counselling sessions for students and guardians seeking guidance and career opportunities in the field of Medical and Engineering.

"I will appeal to the organisers to make this interface tripartite from the next edition. We have students and representatives from a number of private engineering colleges. You should also involve the industry to make this education fair more successful. This will enable students to have a better idea of the stream they should take up and the requirement of the industry under one umbrella," he added. The minister also appealed to the organisers and the private engineering colleges participating in the fair to host more such events so that students have a clear-cut idea about the stream they should take up.

State Power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay who attended the programme said that parents should not force a career option on their wards.

"Students should not be compelled to take up higher studies at the behest of their parents. Parents should let their wards pursue a career of their own choice," he maintained.