Patna, Aug. 24: Students pursuing engineering and polytechnic courses in the state-run institutions in Bihar could soon get hands-on training in computer-aided designing (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE). Siemens India has proposed to introduce them in institutions as co-curricular activities.

According to the proposal details submitted to the state government, Siemens India intends to take up this work in phases under its national education and skill training (NEST) programme. In the first phase, the firm would provide software to technical educations for imparting training to students in CAD and CAE. After providing the software to the institutes, the company would train teachers to enable them to use the software in training students.

This exposure would enhance the employability of technical hands, as they would be trained in subjects currently in use in industries.

In the second phase, the company plans to set up a full-fledged laboratory in the state capital. It would have the latest equipment used by industrial houses so that students could have a feel of the machines on which they are expected to work.

As far as the cost component is concerned, the proposal says the state government should bear the cost of purchasing software to be provided by Siemens India at a subsidised rate. The company would bear the cost of imparting training to the teachers.

As things stand now, majority of the engineering colleges and polytechnic institutes in Bihar do not offer training in CAD and CAE. The students are imparted practical training papers. This does not allow them to have a real feel of designing.

Confirming to have received a such proposal from the Siemens India, science and technology department principal secretary Arun Kumar Singh said: “We stand for providing software to institutions as well as setting up a laboratory in a selected institution simultaneously so that students have exposure to the design work on computer and experience the real thing in the lab. We have made Siemens aware of our stand and are waiting for their response.”

Siemens officials feel that doing both the works simultaneously would be time-consuming and they would pursue the government to allow the launch of the project with the software component.

“Setting up a full-fledged laboratory in Patna would take some time as we would have to mobilise funds from industries for purchasing machines that would be installed in the laboratory. After procuring the machines, a lot of civil work would be required. Hence, we would request the state government to let us start things with the software so that by the time the lab is set up the students could get the opportunity to have a feel of designing using the simulations on computers,” a Siemens official told The Telegraph over phone.

The official said the laboratory to be set up in the city would allow not only practical classes but other facilities too would be developed so that players from industrial sector could come and share their expectations from persons they are going to hire. This centre would also provide training facilities for trainers.