The MoU envisages the introduction of the Business English Communication (BEC) programme for the benefit of the students of the university.

The pilot project, which is expected to start off with at least 70 students, will be a test of the feasibility of the programme’s application. ‘‘We are trying to take a fresh look at how education can be imparted. Though the finer points of the application of this programme by the university is yet to be decided upon, the pilot project should provide valuable pointers,’’ said Dr Ashoke Ranjan Thakur, vice chancellor of the WBUT.

Sujata Sen, director of British Council (East India) said, ‘‘The BEC is a programme run by the University of Cambridge and is administered by the British Council. We will train the existing faculty of the WBUT to teach the students in accordance with the programme guidelines. They, in turn, will teach the students. However, the examinations at various levels will be conducted by us.’’

The MoU is aimed at helping budding engineers become better communicators. ‘‘It must be understood that this programme is not aimed at helping students become better engineers. This programme aims at addressing any problems they may have with communicating,’’ said Dr Thakur.

Echoing him, Sen declared that the programme was more about communication skills than proficiency in the English language. ‘‘Fluency in English is only a part of better communication skills. There are many other facets to effective communication which students will also learn from this course,’’ said Sen.

According to Rod Pryce, head of the British Council in India and Sri Lanka, there is a huge demand for learning the English language. ‘‘It is no longer a question of British English or American English. It is just that people the world over have realised that knowledge of this language can open global vistas for them that were hitherto closed,’’ stated Pryce at the MoU signing ceremony.

Only time can tell whether the MoU with WBUT will serve the varsity’s purpose. However, if precedence is a factor to be taken into consideration, then the programme is already working well in other parts of the country. ‘‘We had a similar MoU with the Department of Technical Education of the Tamil Nadu government. The programme is doing quite well there,’’ said Sen.

For an individual who proposes to take the course, the BEC Preliminary will cost Rs 1,950, the BEC Vantage will cost Rs 2,100, while the BEC Higher will cost Rs 2,500. The BEC programmes are aimed at improving an individual’s communication skills through a 30 hour education period, which will improve a student’s reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.