The Powai-based institute will set up its golden jubilee extension centre here on Thursday.

To come up at Chandkheda Government Engineering College, the centre would begin with short-term cutting edge courses in hi-tech areas like nano-technology, bio-informatics and computer assisted machining among others.

Ranging from a week to a month, the courses are primarily aimed at re-training of industrial staff with interest in engineering, machine tools, chemical, petrochemical, construction and infrastructure sectors.

“With this initiative, we would now be available at the doorstep of industries in Gujarat. The courses are designed to address specific industry needs and should help in pushing the research and development needs of the state further.

We are also looking at distance learning modules using the ISRO framework where lectures at the Mumbai campus are beamed directly to students at this centre,” said Professor Dipan K Ghosh, Deputy Director, IIT-Bombay.

The centre will begin with a five-day course on Piping Engineering meant for engineers handling complex operations in layout of huge pipeline projects.

The centre would provide similar courses in the fields of low cost hi-tech automation, IT project management, water recycling through soil biotechnology, industrial corrosion control, gear box technology, urban drainage system design, cross piping and refinery processes among others.

“It is for the first time that the expertise of faculty from IIT Bombay would be available in Gujarat. Though as of now it is aimed at industry-institution interface, we are aiming at a gradual scaling up of the centre so that courses are available for all levels,” said Manish Bharadwaj, Director (Technical Education) in the state government.