Kolkata, 28th January 2025: The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Kolkata, announced the launch of the “Finishing School Program on 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing Technology” on Monday, 27th January 2025 at The Sonnet, Kolkata. The program is designed to empower engineering students from West Bengal and Bihar with advanced skills in additive manufacturing, fostering entrepreneurship and employment generation. It marks a significant step towards bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industry requirements while creating sustainable employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the youth of West Bengal and Bihar.

The event was graced by prominent dignitaries, including Smt. Tulika Pandey, Scientist ‘G’ and Group Coordinator, HRD, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India; Prof. Tapas Chakraborty, Vice-Chancellor, MAKAUT, Government of West Bengal; Prof. P. M. Pandey, IHFC Chair and Professor at IIT Delhi; Prof. Amitava Nag, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Central Institute of Technology, Assam; Shri Sanjeet Kumar, Industry Expert and DGM at SANDHAR; Dr. Ch A S Murty, Scientist ‘G’, CISO & Director, C-DAC Kolkata; and Shri Asit Kumar Singh, Chief Investigator of the Project, C-DAC Kolkata.

The program aims to train 16,000 engineering graduates and final-year students through full-time courses with an additional 4,000 students participating in boot camp programs. It also focuses on establishing eight advanced laboratories to support start-ups, SMEs and large industries while delivering comprehensive product prototypes with technical documentation, material specifications and cost analysis.

With India’s 3D printing market projected for a staggering growth, this initiative addresses the increasing demand for skilled professionals in sectors such as construction, automotive and healthcare. By integrating technical skill development with entrepreneurship opportunities, the program aims to prepare students for the shift towards mass customization and faster production cycles demanded by modern industries.

The program also emphasises the creation of multimedia-based educational resources, a design repository on 3D printing and additive manufacturing and a centralised project monitoring web portal to ensure seamless implementation. Workshops with industry stakeholders, NABARD, industrial banks, placement cells and corporate entities will further enhance job placement and entrepreneurial support.

C-DAC Kolkata is collaborating with institutions including MAKAUT, Nadia; Dr. B.C. Ray Engineering College, Durgapur; NIT Patna, College of Engineering & Management, Kolaghat; Siliguri Institute of Technology; Darbhanga College of Engineering, Darbhanga; Bhagalpur College of Engineering, Bhagalpur; and Cooch Behar Government Engineering College, to provide sector-specific training and support for engineering students. The initiative also promotes cultural and heritage preservation by enabling the production and marketing of heritage-inspired products using 3D printing and additive manufacturing technologies.

While delivering the welcome address, Dr. Ch A S Murty, Scientist ‘G’, CISO & Director, C-DAC Kolkata, said, “This initiative is a crucial step in bridging the gap between academia and industry, empowering the next generation of engineers with skills that will shape the future of technology. I’d like to extend a special thanks to Mrs. Tulika Pandey from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, for her unwavering support in making this initiative possible. We aim to train 16,000 engineering graduates from West Bengal and Bihar over the next five years, with an additional 4,000 students through boot camps. State-of-the-art laboratories will be established at partner institutions to support training, innovation and entrepreneurship. These labs will serve as hubs for students, startups, SMEs and industries to develop product prototypes and gain hands-on experience. The program will also include modules on entrepreneurship, job creation and workshops with industry stakeholders. We will work closely with corporate entities to ensure job placement opportunities for students. Moreover, we will create multimedia-based educational content to support the program across all eight labs, ensuring seamless training delivery and monitoring. India’s 3D printing market is projected to reach $2.76 billion by 2026, driven by industries like construction, automation and healthcare. This program prepares students to meet the emerging demands of these sectors.”

Alluding to Additive Manufacturing in India’s Industrial and Educational Framework, Smt. Tulika Pandey, Scientist ‘G’ and Group Coordinator, HRD, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, said, “As the world transitions to Industry 4.0, we must ensure that India builds a skilled workforce proficient in 3D printing and additive manufacturing technologies. To make this accessible and cost-effective, the government has allocated ₹50 crores for initiatives focused on Eastern India, including Kolkata and Bihar. Our aim is to integrate 3D printing into academia, allowing students to experiment, innovate, and collaborate with industries to bridge the gap between research and product development. We urge industries to partner with academia to provide students exposure to real-world business challenges. This initiative will act as a finishing school, equipping students with skills that lead to immediate employability. Globally, the additive manufacturing market is set to grow exponentially, and India must move swiftly to lead this space. Beyond designs, we must study materials, explore cost-efficient innovations, and address challenges like providing affordable housing and tools for rural India. Industry collaboration is key to realizing the transformative potential of this technology. 3D printing has evolved from niche applications to disruptive capabilities across healthcare, agriculture, and industrial domains. As we face competition from home-grown innovations, this is the time for industries, academia and the government to work together to ensure India leads the additive manufacturing revolution.”

Prof. Tapas Chakraborty, Vice-Chancellor, MAKAUT, Government of West Bengal, said, “As the only Technical University in West Bengal, affiliating nearly 200 engineering, pharmacy and management colleges, MAKAUT plays a vital role in the region. However, we face challenges such as declining enrollment in core engineering fields like mechanical engineering and a lack of suitable industry internships for final-year students in this region, driving many students to seek opportunities elsewhere. This initiative offers a transformative solution, not just for West Bengal but for the entire Northeast and neighbouring regions. MAKAUT is committed to providing full support to ensure its success.”

Prof. P. M. Pandey, IHFC Chair and Professor at IIT Delhi, said, “Additive manufacturing has emerged as one of the most disruptive technologies in the current manufacturing landscape. In the context of the latest manufacturing advancements—Industry 4.0 and even Industry 5.0—this technology plays a pivotal role. Industry 4.0, centered around cyber-physical systems, envisions a digital manufacturing enterprise. In this framework, additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, is a ground-breaking tool. Its potential lies in its ability to produce highly customized components, especially for small batch sizes or unique, customer-specific and even patient-specific requirements. This transformative technology fits seamlessly into the Industry 4.0 ecosystem, where it integrates with digital design concepts, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, collaborative robotics, industrial IoT and virtual and augmented reality. It is rightly regarded as one of the most important enablers of the next-generation manufacturing revolution. I must also highlight that this initiative, sponsored by MeitY and executed by CDAC Kolkata, comes at an opportune moment. Under the visionary leadership of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, the ‘Make in India’ mission and the New Education Policy have placed significant emphasis on skilling and innovation. This program aligns perfectly with these goals, empowering the youth with knowledge and expertise in the digital design and manufacturing domain. I firmly believe this initiative will not only help our industries but will also contribute to society by bridging the gap between modern technology and practical implementation.”

Shri Asit Kumar Singh, the Chief Investigator of this Project, C-DAC, Kolkata, further elaborated “During this program, the development of products will be carried out in consultation with industry stakeholders to ensure their practical applicability and market relevance. This collaborative approach aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry needs, fostering innovation and enabling the creation of solutions that address real-world challenges effectively.”