1960
In the early 1960s a twining arrangement was set up between the Catholic Dioceses of Novara (Italy) and Dinajpur in East Pakistan, thanks to the collaboration of Fr. Ettore Scolari, Bishop Giuseppe Obert and Fr. Faustino Cescato (PIME).
An area of 140’000 m2 was acquired by PIME at Suihari on the outskirts of Dinajpur. Fr. Cescato was entrusted with the construction of what was to become the Novara Centre.
1965
With the arrival of Br. Mario Fardin (PIME), the first director of the Novara Technical School, the first course in carpentry started.
1966
The contruction of the old main building began in 1966. Construction proceeded expeditiously, despite difficulties in finding the necessary materials.
Steel came from Italy, and locally purchased from China. Stone aggregate, wich is not available in Bangladesh, was replaced by bricks broken into small pieces with hard manual labour.
Electricity came to Novara Centre in December 1966.
1966
The first of the karkhana (today the electric workshop) home to Fr. Di Serio (PIME), Br. Fardin and two volunteers from the Service Civil International: Roger Gwynn and John Miles.
With the completition of the old main building, the men’s accomodations in the karkhana were abandoned. External doors were bricked up and the cells were converted to stores and offices.
Two further workshops were built for teaching electrical skills and metalwork, and a fine mechanical workshop was available for instruction on vehicle repair and maintenance.
1967
Fr. Cescato’s home was the gatehouse near the old gate, on the main road Dinajpur-Thakurgaon.
1967
Br. Fardin with the first intake of Novara Technical School boy apprentices, after the completion of the old main building.
1971-73
During the civil war NTS students dispersed and teaching activities were suspended. At the beginning of December 1971 the Novara Centre was the site of confrontation between the Pakistan and Indian armies. The Pakistan army arrived from Dinajpur town and were confronted by Mukti Bahini freedom fighters coming from the west. Coincidentally, Indian troops were advancing southwards from Thakurgaon, and the shooting began. Finally, all parties met and negotiated a surrender.
In the following years teaching resumed and the NTS curriculum was broadened.
(In the photo: Br. Fardin and John Miles in September 1973)
2000-2003
In 2000 Fr. Giovanni Beretta (PIME) started a big expansion works with the help of C.E.I from Italy. The new school building with 12 classrooms and the administration offices was completed in 2003.
New equipment and machineries for the workshops has been bought in the local market or imported from abroad.
English 
বাংলা