The air in Kolkata crackled with anticipation this February 5th and 6th as the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) 2025 unfurled its ambitious agenda. For two days, titans of industry, policymakers, and thought leaders from across the globe converged to explore the burgeoning opportunities that West Bengal has to offer. From keynote addresses by prominent figures to focused sectoral sessions, the summit served as a dynamic platform for networking, deal-making, and showcasing the state’s potential for growth. This year’s event, held against a backdrop of global economic shifts, proved particularly significant, attracting substantial investment proposals and sparking conversations that promise to shape the future of the region.
While diverse sectors like manufacturing, IT, and infrastructure took center stage, the summit also recognized the crucial role of education in driving sustainable development. Discussions around skill development, academia-industry partnerships, and the alignment of educational programs with future industry needs underscored the importance of nurturing a talent pool ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving world. This recognition of education’s pivotal role was further amplified by a significant development at the summit.
A testament to this focus on education was the landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Alliance Française du Bengale (AFdB) and Techno India University (TIU) at BGBS 2025. This historic partnership formalizes their longstanding collaboration and aims to bolster Indo-French linguistic and cultural exchange in the Great Eastern Region of India.
A key outcome of this collaboration is the establishment of the Salt Lake Annex of Alliance Française du Bengale on the Techno Main Salt Lake (TMSL) campus, creating a new hub for French language and culture. This new facility will offer a range of programs and activities to students, faculty, and the local community, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of French language and culture.
The MoU also paves the way for a “Franco-Indian Centre of Excellence for Language and Culture”, which will establish dedicated annexes offering French language courses at TIU, TMSL, and various schools within the TIU group. This strategic expansion, spearheaded by Prof. Manoshi Roy Chowdhury, Co-Chairperson, Techno India Group, and Mr. Nicolas Facino, Executive Director, Alliance Française du Bengale, will significantly broaden access to French language education and cultural programs in the region, enriching the educational landscape and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Beyond the MoU, Prof. Manoshi Roy Chowdhury outlined Techno India Group’s robust and ambitious investment strategy, revealing a comprehensive plan for expansion and enhancement across multiple facets of the educational landscape. These significant allocations encompass a wide range of initiatives, including the construction of new buildings and state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, expansion of existing group college infrastructure, ambitious new college projects, modern and well-equipped smart hostel projects, the introduction of paramedical courses and associated hospital infrastructure, the development of new school projects, the establishment of a forward-thinking “School of the Future,” and the new business school. These diverse initiatives demonstrate a strong commitment to regional advancement and are poised to unlock numerous avenues for growth, not only in the business realm but also, and perhaps more importantly, for the future leaders and innovators at Techno India Group. These investments signal TIU’s dedication to providing cutting-edge educational resources and opportunities for its students, preparing them for success in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
The initiatives unveiled at BGBS 2025, particularly Techno India University’s multifaceted approach to enhancing education, signal a significant step forward in preparing students for the demands of the 21st century. TIU is demonstrably committed to cultivating a dynamic learning environment that empowers students to become not just skilled professionals, but also globally aware and culturally competent individuals. These efforts position TIU at the forefront of educational innovation in the region, shaping the next generation of leaders and contributing significantly to the state’s overall progress.