Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology

Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology
विश्वेश्वरय्या राष्ट्रीय प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थान
Motto योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्
Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam
Motto in English
 Excellence in action is yoga.
Established 1960
Type Public
Chairman Dr. S. K. Joshi
Director Dr.Narendra S. Chaudhari
Academic staff
 218[1]
Undergraduates 2,500[1]
Postgraduates 600
Location Nagpur, MaharashtraVidarbha, India
Campus Urban
215 acres (87 ha)[2]
Website vnit.ac.in

Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology Nagpur (VNIT), also referred to as NIT Nagpur, formerly Regional College of Engineering, Nagpur and Visvesvaraya Regional College of Engineering (VRCE), is an engineering institute in Nagpur, Maharashtra, in central India. The institute has been ranked among the best fifteen engineering colleges in India. The institute was established in June 1960 and later named in honor of engineer, planner and statesman, Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. It is one of the National Institutes of Technology and in 2007 was conferred the status of Institute of National Importance.

History

The college was established as the Regional College of Engineering, Nagpur in 1960, under an educational program of the Government of India. The State College of Engineering, established in 1956 in the same city, was then merged with the institute.

The first academic session at VRCE started in June 1960, with classes temporarily being held at the Government Polytechnic, Nagpur. Subsequently, the Maharashtra Government granted 200 acres (81 ha) to the college for building its campus.

In 1962, the Board of Governors of the college resolved to name the college after Sir Visvesvaraya.

In 2002, the institute was made a National Institute of Technology under the NIT Act and renamed as VNIT. In 2007 it was conferred the status of Institute of National Importance. VNIT faculty and staff mentor the newly established National Institute of Technology Mizoram during the academic year 2010-2011.

Campus

The institute is located in the western part of the city near Ambazari Lake, about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Nagpur Railway Station and 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Nagpur Airport. There are three main entrances to the 220 acres (89 ha) campus, namely the Main Gate on South Ambazari Road, the Bajaj Nagar Gate and the Yashwant Nagar Gate.

Most students live on the campus, which has over 12 men's hostels and 2 women's hostels.[3] On-campus housing for faculty is also available as an option. The campus is fully networked using fiber optic cables.

The campus health-care center caters to primary and urgent care requirements of students and staff.[4] The campus has facilities for auditoriums, a computer center, sporting facilities, a State Bank of India branch,a Canara Bank branch, cafes, coffee shops, a co-operative store and a post office.

The campus has on display Mikoyan MiG-27 a ground attack aircraft decommissioned from Indian Air Force.

Chandrama is an on-campus all night canteen, open since 1978. In addition, The India Coffee House also operates a day canteen inside the campus.

The college campus has been declared as a green zone, which includes a ban on smoking and the usage of powered vehicles.

Administration

As an institute with university status, VNIT operates with complete autonomy in financial, academic and administrative matters. The institute's Board of Governors manages the institute. The board has representatives from the Government of India, Government of Maharashtra, All India Council for Technical Education, University Grants Commission, the institute's faculty and illustrious Indian scientists or technologists.

The Student Council, composed of selected student representatives, plays an active role in various student affairs such as Academics, Training & Placement, Technical Affairs, Sports and Cultural Activities.

Academics

The institute has various academic departments, with over 30 specialized laboratories and research centers.[2]

Undergraduate programs are offered in Architecture and the 8 Engineering disciplines. The Engineering programs are usually of 4-year duration, while Architecture has a 5-year program. VNIT accepts an incoming freshman class size of up to 798 students.[5]

Graduate and research programs, leading to Master's and Ph.D. degrees, are offered by the Architecture and all the Engineering departments. A range of special fields of study are available in graduate and research programs in each discipline. The institute is very soon going to offer Aeronautical Engineering and up to 350 students are admitted to the Master's program each year.[6][7]

The institute uses relative grading on a 10-point scale.

Admissions

Admissions to the undergraduate course is through the JEE Mains[5]

80% of students to the post-graduate programs are admitted based on performance in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. These students receive stipends and tuition assistance from the institute and the Indian Government. Another 20% of students are admitted based on industry or other research organization sponsorship, with full tuition typically paid by the sponsoring institution.[6]

Student life

VNIT offers students opportunities to pursue a range of interests. The National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme are national organizations with active student participation.

VNIT hosts an active chapter of SPIC MACAY, which promotes classical Indian music, dance and culture. Hamsdhwani is a student Hindustani classical music group. A number of semi professional rock bands and music groups are formed at VNIT and perform at local events. Past popular bands have included Drakshya, Glasnost, Morphine, Rust, Saints of Metal and Vighn.

Other popular student clubs include:

The student clubs host a number of annual fests or events, inviting participants from similar clubs across the region or the nation, including:


A gymnasium and various sports facilities are available on the campus. College teams also participate in regional championships in a number of sports.

Halls of residence

The institute has 10 halls of residence and one for post graduates.Staff residences for teaching as well as non teaching staff members is also available.

Alumni

VNIT has a strong alumni network. Over the years, alumni of VNIT have taken up strategic positions in organisations around the world. VNIT alumni include prominent academics and business executives. VNIT has an active alumni network, with chapters across India, in the United States and in Europe.[8]

The Alumni Cell at VNIT manages interactions with the Alumni network and keeps them involved in important events in the institute.

Notable alumni

Alumni occupy a number of senior executive positions in India and abroad. Some notable alumni of the institute include:

Researchers and Academics

Public and Defence Services

Business and Corporate

Entrepreneur

Arts and Design

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology.
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Annual Report, 2010" (PDF). VNIT. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Campus Information". VNIT. Retrieved 2011-08-10.
  3. ↑ "Hostels". VNIT. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
  4. ↑ "Health Centre". VNIT. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Undergraduate Programs". VNIT. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Postgraduate Programs". VNIT. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
  7. ↑ "Ph.D. Programs". VNIT. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
  8. ↑ "V-Alumni Network". Retrieved 2011-08-12.