Harcourt Butler Technical University, Kanpur

About College:

The Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU) is located in the city of Kanpur. The city located in Uttar Pradesh, has been nicknamed as the “Manchester of North India” thanks to its vibrant textile industry. The HBTU was earlier known as the HBTI, with the I going for Institute. But now it has been declared a state university by the UGC (University Grants Commission), so the change in nomenclature. The HBTU’s origins go back a long time to the year 1921, when the institute was first founded in. It was named after Sir Spencer Harcourt Butler, who was the governor of the United Provinces, then part of British India. He was a noted educationist in his time. 

The HBTU was also the original institute which led to the formation of the National Sugar Institute and the Government Central Textile Institute. These were both set up in the second half of the 1930s under the nodal authority of the HBTI. They have since been renamed. The HBTU is also an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certified institution. This university is also a key facilitator of a MHRD (Ministry of Human Resource Development) initiative with the World Bank’s IDA (International Development Association). It is a programme titled TEQIP (Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme). The total campus stretches for over three- hundred and forty- eight acres of land. 

Courses are offered here, right from the UG till doctoral levels. At the undergrad level, the B. Tech programmes are available for the engineering areas of- Civil, Chemical, Information Technology (IT), Mechanical, Computer Science, Bio Chemical, Electronics and for Electrical. These B. Tech courses may also be taken up for the technology fields of- Food, Oil, Paint, Leather and in Plastic. Admissions to these programmes is via the JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) Mains. At the master’s level, the courses get more technical. So, the M. Tech programmes are available for the areas of- Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology, CAD/ CAM (Computer Aided Design/ Manufacturing) Engineering, Environmental Science & Engineering, Industrial Systems Engineering, Power Electronics & Control, Structural Engineering and in Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering. 

Some of these courses may also be taken up on a part- time mode. The GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) scores are considered for admissions at the PG level. In addition, the MCA and the MBA are also on offer here. Plans are on to start off with specialized MSc. courses soon. The entire academics here, is run by a cohort of four schools. Each school is further divided into departments, signifying the courses being run. The largest one here, is of course the School of Engineering. Another big one is the School of Chemical Technology, encompassing all the tech- based courses. 

The other two are named as the School of Management Basic & Applied Sciences and the School of Humanities & Social Sciences. These two, deal with the English language courses and the fundamental sciences of physics, chemistry and mathematics. The MBA and MCA courses are also handled by them. Research is another very important aspect, here at the Kanpur- based Harcourt Butler Technical University. A number of FDPs (Faculty Development Programmes) also take place on campus to ensure that the trainers are themselves abreast of the latest developments taking place. The university takes up several third- party projects generated by government or industry bodies. 

Some of those prominent agencies that have generated such assignments include the likes of- DST (Department of Science and Technology), UGC, DOE (Department of Energy), DAE (Department of Atomic Energy), ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), UPCST (Uttar Pradesh Centre for Science and Technology), DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization), ICAR (Indian Council for Agricultural Research) and from a few more. The library here is also, one of the best stocked within the region. Besides the physical books on display, it also provides digital access to en number of international academic journals for research and academic purposes. All this has then reflected in the rankings received by this college across the platforms. The Careers 360 magazine and website have placed the HBTU within the AAAA rating among engineering colleges’ category. 

The campus has much to offer. There are hostel facilities for both boys and girls. Banking facilities with ATM and access to public transport may all be availed from immediately outside the college campus. There is a sports field where cricket and football may be played. Facilities are also there for indoor sports. The gymnasium may also be used by all. A large auditorium is there to facilitate major events, at both intra and inter college level. The campus has adequate internet facilities. Science laboratories have the latest of equipment. A health centre is also there to cater to medical emergencies. Hygienic food is prepared at the college cafeteria. A convenience store is also located within campus.