Igniting Young Minds
P. A. College of Engineering and Technology, started in the year 2008 as a partner of the youth of today, with an outcome-based laser focus on prosperity, shares the youth's urgency and optimism for the future of the individual and the country.
It is not about where you are born or whom you are born to; it is all about what you do with your life that determines how your life will be. Time after time, talented, enterprising and hardworking Indians have shown that success can come from humble beginnings. Tales of heroic struggles against odds and eventual triumphs have always inspired us, given us hopes and courage to fight back. Dr. P. Appukutty, Chairman of P. A. College of Engineering and Technology, is one such inspiring character, who started with nothing but through hard work and grit, managed to rise to the top.
Born as the eldest son in an agricultural family in Kethanur village in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu with six sisters, Dr. Appukutty underwent difficult times and faced many ordeals in his childhood. However, he was steadfast and determined to have good education through self learning. Education not only molded him and kept him calm to face odd situations with good sense of balance and temperament, but also predominated above other thoughts and made him to become a teacher aside his lucrative consultancy and construction job. He was very-well aware of the fact that access to education could be a game changer, which motivated him to establish Arul Jothi Charitable Educational Trust in the year 2005 with an objective to achieve - Higher Education to All.
Today, Arul Jothi Charitable Educational Trust runs a group of educational institutions including the emerging P. A. College of Engineering and Technology (PACET) that has been functioning since 2008. Sitting in the peaceful surroundings of Puliyampatty on the outskirts of Pollachi, where PACET is located amidst of the cluster of coconut grooves, Dr. Appukkutty would always say, "Learning without wisdom is of no use. As a son of a typical Indian farmer, I unerringly and meticulously understood the problems being faced by the deserving and the needy sections of the society. Hence, here at PACET, we contemplate more on the growth of the meritorious, but underprivileged students in transforming them into resourceful Indian citizens."
A Rural Establishment with World-Class Facilities
PACET and its surrounding areas near western ghats not only offers an extremely pleasant weather throughout the year but also charming scenic beauty. The picturesque location has become a favorite among filmmakers with over 1500 movies being shot in the past few years. Hence, the campus of PACET enjoys a congenial atmosphere essential for a cozy and vibrant scholastic learning process. The beautiful and spacious buildings have been designed well by Dr. Appukkutty himself using his rich experience in the field of Civil Engineering with architectural marvels of various blocks accommodating the needs of administration, computer centre, academic block, lecture halls, library, laboratories, conference halls and hostel.
While, the PACET management has provided all the necessary infrastructure for a high-quality technical education, majority of its students come from rural background. "That is one the major challenges that we are facing here. Students who come from rural areas know the basic concepts of engineering but they are not confident enough to express it, as they are not strong in their communication skills, especially in English," says, Dr. T. Manigandan, Principal, PACET. Understanding the importance developing an effective technical communication skill to enhance students’ employability, PACET trains the students in English from the first year onwards with the help language club headed by faculty members from English Department. Along with that, PACET students are given opportunities to gain optimal advantage in terms of advanced technical knowledge, skills and research by intrinsic motivation through special training modules. The approach offers distinct aspects of intellectual growth and development of each student as future engineers to suit the growing needs and aspirations of the nation in future.
Vivek Kumar, an alumnus of PACET who graduated in the year 2013, is one of the earliest beneficiaries of his alma mater’s beyond-the-syllabus approaches in technical education. Currently working with IBM Bangalore, Vivek says, "In 2009 when I joined PACET, the institute was very new with only one batch of seniors and I had only limited options as my parents were not ready to send me to a city based college. However, PACET was brilliant in terms of excellent faculty members and infrastructure facilities. More than everything, they had provided many add-on programs in latest technologies, which you will not find in regular university syllabus." The institute has taken up several initiatives like offering value-added courses interfacing with the industry to bridge the gap between the curriculum and the requirements of the industry. The students have the option to choose the courses according to their desires and inclinations as they choose the desired items in cafeteria. "Our students gain knowledge through the value added programs, which will enable them to face the formidable challenges of the future. Over 450 students benefit from these initiatives every year," claims Dr. Manigandan.
Presently, PACET has tie-ups with Infosys, MTAB, Roots, Microgenesis, Cisco and many more. The joint venture with such organizations facilitates the students as well as the faculty to keep pace with the latest technologies on their chosen field of studies. In order to update the students about industry trends and organization culture, the institute regularly invites industry professionals and experts to interact with the students. "We encourage our students by providing in-plant training in each semester. Also, our students are trained according to the skill requirements made by each company. Therefore, they are ready to work efficiently from the day one," says Dr. Manigandan. Despite being one of the youngest institutions catering to the rural population, PACET achieves more than 90 percent placements every year with packages ranging between Rs. 3 – 4.6 lakhs per annum.
From the given facts, it is easy to summarize PACET as an innovative and creative Institution. The entire faculty members, who are well qualified with adequate industrial experience attempt to provide advanced knowledge delivery with research responses, uniquely equipped to partner in the community development and regional economic development initiatives that will be so vital to our future. All education programs offered by the institute have been designed to offer distinct aspects of intellectual growth and development to suit the nation's growing needs and aspirations.
Dr. Appukutty is the perfect embodiment of the above saying. It is his simplicity that gives him a magnanimous outlook. As a man of zealous vision, for Dr. Appukutty, education serves perfect platform to extend his help and support for the young students. No wonder, he admires Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the ‘missile man’ who became popular ‘people’s president.’ Taking Abdul Kalam as his role model, Dr. Appukutty has been igniting young minds by offering engineering education. Perhaps, that is the reason why six years ago, Abdul Kalam said during his visit at PACET, "this is an excellent institution with a social mission."
Chairman’s Message
We provide engineering education for life by close monitoring of the academic progress and holistic development of our students.
- Dr. P. Appukutty
Principal’s Message
In the upcoming years, we are planning to introduce more postgraduates programs along with cutting-edge research centers to support the innovations from our students as faculty members.
- Dr. T. Manigandan
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