IIEST Shibpur Partners with Bajaj Auto Foundation to Support Women Engineering Students
Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
Howrah, August 26, 2026: The Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Bajaj Auto Foundation to provide comprehensive financial support to meritorious women pursuing engineering education at the institute.
The collaboration was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on August 24, 2026, under the Rupa Rahul Bajaj Scholarship for Women in Engineering (RRBSWE). The initiative is designed to support eligible female students through their entire four-year B.Tech programme, with assistance covering tuition, hostel and mess expenses.
According to the institute, the scholarship can provide financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh per student annually. The programme is aimed at reducing financial barriers and encouraging more women to pursue careers in core engineering disciplines.
33 IIEST Students Among 500+ Scholarship Recipients
The partnership has already produced a significant outcome for IIEST Shibpur. During the latest scholarship cycle, 33 female students from the institute were selected from a pool of more than 500 scholars across 40 participating institutions.
The institute said that approximately ₹44 lakh has been disbursed for the 33 IIEST beneficiaries.
The scholarship’s scope was also expanded following discussions between the institute and the Bajaj Auto Foundation. Since IIEST was already providing tuition-fee waivers to most of the selected students, the Office of the Dean of Students’ Welfare requested that the scholarship also cover hostel and mess expenses. The Foundation accepted the proposal, thereby extending the practical financial support available to the students.
MoU Brings Institutional and Corporate Leadership Together
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both organisations.
IIEST Director Prof. V.M.S.R. Murthy led the institute’s delegation. Those present included Prof. Debdulal Das, Dean (Students’ Welfare); Prof. Pratik Dutta, Dean (Research & Consultancy); Prof. Arindam Biswas, Dean (Academic); CA Biswajit Bhattacharyya, Registrar; Prof. Asok Adak, Associate Dean (Hostel Management); Dr. Ankita Pramanik, Associate Dean (Students’ Welfare) and the scholarship’s Single Point of Contact; Dr. Nirmalya Kumar Bhattacharyya, Joint Registrar (Academic); Sri Lakhi Kanto Gorai, Deputy Registrar (Finance); and other institute officials.
Representing Bajaj Auto Foundation were Ms. Greeshma Biswal, Head of Grant Management, and Mr. Nitesh Raikar, Head of Content Development, BEST.
The discussions also explored opportunities to broaden and deepen the partnership between IIEST Shibpur and the Bajaj Auto Foundation in the future.
Focus on Women in Core Engineering
The RRBSWE initiative primarily supports first-year female B.Tech students pursuing engineering in disciplines including:
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
By extending assistance beyond academic fees to essential residential expenses, the programme seeks to create a more supportive environment for women students pursuing demanding technical education.
IIEST Director Emphasises Women’s Role in Engineering
Prof. V.M.S.R. Murthy highlighted the wider significance of the initiative, saying that encouraging women to enter core engineering fields is important for innovation and sustainable nation-building.
He said the scholarship can help ease financial pressures while giving meritorious students greater confidence to pursue ambitious academic and professional goals. He also expressed appreciation for the Bajaj Auto Foundation’s approach and reaffirmed IIEST Shibpur’s commitment to creating an environment in which women engineers can develop into future leaders.
Scholarship at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | Rupa Rahul Bajaj Scholarship for Women in Engineering (RRBSWE) |
| Awarding organisation | Bajaj Auto Foundation |
| Eligible IIEST students | First-year female B.Tech students in selected core engineering disciplines |
| Financial assistance | Up to ₹2 lakh annually per student |
| Expenses supported | Tuition, hostel and mess, subject to scholarship terms |
| Duration | Four years of the B.Tech programme |
| IIEST beneficiaries in latest cycle | 33 students |
| Scholarship disbursed at IIEST | Approximately ₹44 lakh |
Interaction with Students
The MoU programme concluded with an interactive session involving Bajaj Auto Foundation representatives and first- and second-year female engineering students of IIEST Shibpur.
The discussion focused on career opportunities, professional pathways and the potential contribution of women to technology and engineering-driven social development.
The partnership between IIEST Shibpur and Bajaj Auto Foundation marks a significant step towards strengthening financial access to engineering education while encouraging more women to build careers in core technical fields.
Issued by Dr. Nirmalya Kumar Bhattacharya, Public Relations Officer, IIEST Shibpur.IIEST Shibpur Partners with Bajaj Auto Foundation to Support Women Engineering Students
Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
Howrah, August 26, 2026: The Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Bajaj Auto Foundation to provide comprehensive financial support to meritorious women pursuing engineering education at the institute.
The collaboration was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on August 24, 2026, under the Rupa Rahul Bajaj Scholarship for Women in Engineering (RRBSWE). The initiative is designed to support eligible female students through their entire four-year B.Tech programme, with assistance covering tuition, hostel and mess expenses.
According to the institute, the scholarship can provide financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh per student annually. The programme is aimed at reducing financial barriers and encouraging more women to pursue careers in core engineering disciplines.
33 IIEST Students Among 500+ Scholarship Recipients
The partnership has already produced a significant outcome for IIEST Shibpur. During the latest scholarship cycle, 33 female students from the institute were selected from a pool of more than 500 scholars across 40 participating institutions.
The institute said that approximately ₹44 lakh has been disbursed for the 33 IIEST beneficiaries.
The scholarship’s scope was also expanded following discussions between the institute and the Bajaj Auto Foundation. Since IIEST was already providing tuition-fee waivers to most of the selected students, the Office of the Dean of Students’ Welfare requested that the scholarship also cover hostel and mess expenses. The Foundation accepted the proposal, thereby extending the practical financial support available to the students.
MoU Brings Institutional and Corporate Leadership Together
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both organisations.
IIEST Director Prof. V.M.S.R. Murthy led the institute’s delegation. Those present included Prof. Debdulal Das, Dean (Students’ Welfare); Prof. Pratik Dutta, Dean (Research & Consultancy); Prof. Arindam Biswas, Dean (Academic); CA Biswajit Bhattacharyya, Registrar; Prof. Asok Adak, Associate Dean (Hostel Management); Dr. Ankita Pramanik, Associate Dean (Students’ Welfare) and the scholarship’s Single Point of Contact; Dr. Nirmalya Kumar Bhattacharyya, Joint Registrar (Academic); Sri Lakhi Kanto Gorai, Deputy Registrar (Finance); and other institute officials.
Representing Bajaj Auto Foundation were Ms. Greeshma Biswal, Head of Grant Management, and Mr. Nitesh Raikar, Head of Content Development, BEST.
The discussions also explored opportunities to broaden and deepen the partnership between IIEST Shibpur and the Bajaj Auto Foundation in the future.
Focus on Women in Core Engineering
The RRBSWE initiative primarily supports first-year female B.Tech students pursuing engineering in disciplines including:
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
By extending assistance beyond academic fees to essential residential expenses, the programme seeks to create a more supportive environment for women students pursuing demanding technical education.
IIEST Director Emphasises Women’s Role in Engineering
Prof. V.M.S.R. Murthy highlighted the wider significance of the initiative, saying that encouraging women to enter core engineering fields is important for innovation and sustainable nation-building.
He said the scholarship can help ease financial pressures while giving meritorious students greater confidence to pursue ambitious academic and professional goals. He also expressed appreciation for the Bajaj Auto Foundation’s approach and reaffirmed IIEST Shibpur’s commitment to creating an environment in which women engineers can develop into future leaders.
Scholarship at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | Rupa Rahul Bajaj Scholarship for Women in Engineering (RRBSWE) |
| Awarding organisation | Bajaj Auto Foundation |
| Eligible IIEST students | First-year female B.Tech students in selected core engineering disciplines |
| Financial assistance | Up to ₹2 lakh annually per student |
| Expenses supported | Tuition, hostel and mess, subject to scholarship terms |
| Duration | Four years of the B.Tech programme |
| IIEST beneficiaries in latest cycle | 33 students |
| Scholarship disbursed at IIEST | Approximately ₹44 lakh |
Interaction with Students
The MoU programme concluded with an interactive session involving Bajaj Auto Foundation representatives and first- and second-year female engineering students of IIEST Shibpur.
The discussion focused on career opportunities, professional pathways and the potential contribution of women to technology and engineering-driven social development.
The partnership between IIEST Shibpur and Bajaj Auto Foundation marks a significant step towards strengthening financial access to engineering education while encouraging more women to build careers in core technical fields.
Information by Dr. Nirmalya Kumar Bhattacharya, Public Relations Officer, IIEST Shibpur.
