This marks a significant step in advancing technical education in Gujarat.

A non-commercial memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between Gujarat Knowledge Society, operating under the Directorate of Technical Education, Government of Gujarat, and Bentley Systems. The agreement aims to prepare engineering students for global industry standards and enhance their employability.

As part of the partnership, Bentley experts will conduct a Faculty Development Program (FDP) for more than 300 professors from the Civil Engineering departments of 16 Government Engineering Colleges and 31 Government Polytechnic Colleges. This initiative will benefit over 14,800 students specialising in Civil Engineering and related disciplines.

Students will receive hands-on training in advanced digital engineering tools such as MicroStation, OpenRoads, OpenFlows, Synchro and Digital Twin. Their technical and practical capabilities will be strengthened through project-based learning, hackathons and design competitions.

The MoU provides more than 65 industry-standard Bentley software tools free of charge to students and faculty, thereby enhancing the state's technical education ecosystem to global standards. Additionally, the Bentley Learn Platform will offer self-learning and advanced digital education resources, enabling students to study at their own pace from home or on campus. This programme will extend learning beyond theory by providing practical experience through real infrastructure projects and live case studies.

Students who successfully complete the training will receive a joint certificate from Gujarat Knowledge Society and Bentley Systems, offering a globally recognised digital credential. The programme will also feature direct engagement with industry experts, guest lectures, internships and industrial visits to support students' overall development.

This initiative aligns with the Indian Central Government's ‘Skill India’, ‘Digital India’ and the National Education Policy (NEP-2020). Under this academic collaboration, Gujarat's future engineers will develop strong expertise in next-generation technologies such as digital infrastructure, advanced transportation systems, smart water networks and digital twins.

A notable aspect of this partnership is its ability to deliver substantial improvements in technical education without imposing any financial burden on the state government. The global collaboration is expected to strengthen Gujarat's student skills, making them more industry-ready and globally competitive. In the long term, it is anticipated to improve quality, transparency and efficiency in major infrastructure projects across the state, while positioning Gujarat as a global hub of skilled manpower.

Through this initiative, the Gujarat government aims to prepare young engineers to assume leadership roles in the digital era.