With this in mind, the Chennai-based Central Institute of Plastic Engineering & Technology (CIPET) set up classrooms at Baltikuri in Howrah district in 1997. It began with four courses -- design, tooling, processing and testing in plastics.

CIPET is an autonomous institution under the department of chemicals & fertilisers, government of India. The institute was established in 1968 at Chennai to promote plastic processing industry in the medium and small- scale sector.

The institute offers long-term, short-term and modular technical training to the existing and new industries. The centre was established to train technical manpower in design, tooling, processing and testing for plastic industries.

To increase application development in areas ofplastics, CIPET is providing services in technical areas of design, fabrication of moulds processing, CAD, fabrication of equipment and machineries. The institute also undertakes consultancy and advisory services in areas related to plastics.

It also helps in upgradation of technical knowledge of personnel from the plastic industry through conventional and advanced training programmes.

CIPET also acts as a quality control testing house and provides standardisation for plastics material and products.

The institute conducts an all-India joint entrance examination in July. This year, it had declared June 12 as the last date of receiving applications. In its first year, the Howrah branch offered 125 seats, which will be increased to over 200 as the centre expands its faculty. The age-limit for sponsored, scheduled caste/ tribe candidates is relaxed by three years. The institute has a hostel for students. Candidates who have appeared in the final year of the graduation examination can alsoapply.

Contact address: Cipet, National Small Industries Corporation Complex, Baltikuri, Howrah-711402. Phone (033) 653 3711/4701/4702.