The Chatterjee Group has proposed to set up a world-class university for research on frontier technologies such as quantum computing and sustainable energy in Calcutta and pledged “all resources that would be required” to build the institution.

As the first building block, the group has already commenced a research centre called TCG Crest in Salt Lake Sector V, where PhD scholars are working on cutting edge technologies. It is also scouting for talent across the world to teach and conduct research.

Plans are afoot to build a sprawling campus for the university. Land on the outskirts of the city has been identified.

A process has been initiated to install a quantum computer in Calcutta, the first one to come up in the private sector in India. The computer will be dedicated to high-end research.

Founded by industrialist and technocrat Purnendu Chatterjee, TCG has also applied to the Mamata Banerjee government university status for the proposed institution that will carry out fundamental research.

An outline of the proposed university was disclosed by Chatterjee on the sidelines of 6th edition of Bengal Global Business Summit.

Describing the proposed university as one of his long-cherished ideas for at least quarter of a century, Chatterjee said the institution would be a part of the global innovation process by collaborating with centres of excellence in the world.

“The world is transforming into a knowledge-driven economy. India is slowly getting into it but it is yet to become a vibrant one. This institute will pursue knowledge which can be translated to action,” he said.

Chatterjee outlined four broad areas where the university would focus on. They are sustainable energy and storage systems with thrust on solid state batteries, quantum computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning and neuroscience focusing on stem cell research.

It is envisaged that working opportunities for more than 200 research scholars will be created every year.

Chatterjee declined to cite a figure but it is estimated that the investment could total Rs 2,500 crore, given the proposed scale of the facility and the goal to inducted top-rated faculty, making it one of the largest endowments being proposed from a private entrepreneur in Bengal.

Chatterjee, one of the largest investors in Bengal, pointed out that the university would be a non-profit venture. TCG’s for-profit businesses include Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd, MCPI, TCG Life Sciences and TCG Infotech.