Even though the course has employment potential, it has largely remained unnoticed. One reason could well be that the career of a jute technologist has only limited appeal among students, completing the plus two level examinations.

The Institute of Jute Technology was founded in 1951 by the Indian Jute Mills Association, in collaboration with the Calcutta University.

The prime objective of the institute is to cater to the needs of jute industry by educating and training students, workers, supervisors, managers, artisans and entrepreneurs. IJT is a prestigious centre for conducting various training and research programmes related to jute.

The institute constantly interacts with the industry, for technology transfer and technical training on new diversifiedproducts.

Prabir Ray, principal of the institute, says: ``It is the only institute in the world offering full-time technological courses on jute and allied fibres.''

Initially, the institute used to award its own diploma in jute technology. Now the rules have changed, and the students studying here get diplomas from the Calcutta University.

The courses offered at the institute range from B.Tech. to programmes on spinning and weaving. In 1983, IJT introduced the B.Tech. degree course in fibre technology. A one-year special study programme after the successful completion of the diploma leads to the B.Tech degree.

The institute also offers two other regular programmes, under the head junior level supervisory course, one on spinning and another on weaving.

IJT also conducts entrepreneurship and management development courses for graduates and diploma holders in Engineering and Technology. Apart from imparting professional and scientific training, the institute also provides consultancy and otherservices such as inspection and testing for the industry.

Diploma in Jute Technology is a two-and-a-half-year course with six months of compulsory on the job training in various jute mills.

There are 40 seats and some seats are reserved for SC/ST students. Students with a bachelors degree in Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Statistics, are eligible to appear in the admission test. The course is non-residential and costs Rs 2,000.

The admission test is conducted in November every year, with advertisements appearing in leading newspapers in September.

Another significant fact about IJT is that the institute is holding the admission tests for the last time this year. 1999 onwards, admission will be made through the state joint entrance examination, with eligibility being the higher secondary level. The two-and-a-half-year course will be then be changed into a four-year format, in line with the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE).

The special programme for the B.Tech.degree in Fibre Technology is for a duration of one year. The number of seats is limited to just 25.

Students who attain 55 per cent marks in diploma in Jute Technology are eligible for the course. The course caters to advanced processing technology in jute and allied fibres. The fee for this course is Rs 2,000.

The institute organises campus interviews and the bulk of the recruitment is made by textile majors in western India and the jute mills in West Bengal.

The institute also conducts a number of part-time courses as per the AICTE guidelines. These are junior level supervisory courses in spinning and weaving, certificate course in management for diploma engineering graduates and entrepreneur development programme for unemployed graduates.

Contact address: Institute of Jute Technology, 35, Ballygunge Circular road, Calcutta 700019; phone: (033) 475 0996, 475 1985.