"Research is creating new knowledge," this was said by the first person to walk on the moon - Neil Armstrong. To solve the constantly erupting problems in the industry, there is a greater need to find unique solutions which can only be attained through research. Over time, research has been proven to be a boon towards finding new solutions and fresh grounds for the industry. "At SA Engineering College, we encourage our students to participate in research activities which grant them with additional abilities and out of the box thinking while facing the vast problems seen in the industry," says P.Venkatesh Raja, Director.
Established in Veeraraghavapuram, Tamil Nadu in the year 1998 by the Dharma Naidu Educational and Charitable Trust, the institute is famous for the research it has conducted and is recognized as a Research Centre for doing 'Collaborative Research Program' like 'Ph.D/M.S Programs.' The Research and Development Center gives a new platform for the staff and students to acquire latest knowledge in creating new projects with an innovative approach. "The center acts as a knowledge supplement by providing distinctive values and innovative aspirations of the researchers. Moreover, this centre has proposed more than 100 projects to various professional bodies," says Venkatesh Raja.
SAEC which is NBA and NAAC accredited with A Grade for 5 years has acquired all the necessary equipment and set up the infrastructure where the handpicked, highly qualified experienced faculty and students can conduct their research work. The faculty members are actively involved in advanced research and innovative projects which in turn encourage the students to gain exposure to trendsetting technology and scientific developments right in the college. "Every year the management identifies the dedicated services of the faculty and encourages them in executing various research projects with the support of various funding agencies like All India Council of Technical Education, Department of Science and Technology, Defense Research and Development Organization, Defense Metallurgical Research Lab, Aeronautics Research and Development Board and Indian Space Research Organization," says Venkatesh Raja.
While faculty development programs, workshops, conferences and seminars are conducted in association with various agencies like CSIR, ISTE, Anna University and AICTE, SAEC utilizes the faculties' consultancy services in the emerging research areas to the industries. The faculty and the students supports the local population by means of providing technical training in the area of Refrigeration and AC maintenance, Inverter assembly, Mobile Phone repair and CNC Part Programming with the expertise available in the college as well as external experts.
In order to provide the students with superior research experience, the institute has tied up with CISCO and IBM who conduct a variety of programs to enhance the existing, and also endow with new, skill sets. The CISCO Networking Academy established in conjugation with SAEC aims to teach networking principles and skills to students using the Academy curriculum and tools. It teaches students to design, build, troubleshoot and secure computer networks for increased access to career and economic opportunities in communities around the world. SAEC also has a tie-up with IBM Career Education Program offering courses such as IBM Software Foundation Course, Basics of Rational Rhapsody for Embedded Systems, Enterprise Mobile Application Development and Deployment. "These programs are coupled with our faculty members who are conducting research activities by taking students under their wing to help them during the various processes of research," says Venkatesh Raja.
SAEC has set up the Center for Industry-Institute Interaction which has a council that includes seven eminent industrialists as members. The council meets once every quarter of the year to discuss the requirements of the institute and how to match the industrial expectations. Apart from the various skills and knowledge they receive from the faculty members and the Center for Industry Institute Interaction, the Center for Placement and Training enhances their soft skills and provides pre placement training to be ready for the industry.
The research institute has created a name for itself and companies such as Essar Oil and Steel Ltd, Siemens LTd, Integra Micro Systems, Infosys, Satyam Computer Servcies, Syntel, Infotech Enterprises Ltd, HCL, Wipro, Tata Consultancy Services, Cognizant, Nokia, L&T Infotech and others are visiting the institute year after year to recruit the brightest and the best minds the institute offers.
Encouraging Entrepreneurship
A unique aspect of SAEC is the encouragement students and faculty members receive to start their own entrepreneurial journey. The Center for Innovation, Promotion and Entrepreneurship Development encourages students to take up entrepreneurship as a career option and assist them in during the initial stages. An Entrepreneurship Awareness Program (EAP) along with a Management Development Program is conducted for the students on the skills required to become an Entrepreneur. "The Entrepreneurs of our institution are appreciated through awards by Entrepreneurs for India (e4i) Trust," says Venkatesh Raja.
SAEC has taken steps further by setting up an incubation center which has been fully funded and approved by the Ministry of MSME for 40 incubates for four years with total fund of Rs. 2.5crores. Some of the popular incubate ideas are e-solar bike, nano coolant, low cost inverters, smart kitchen appliances, vehicle doctor which are highly appreciated. SAEC which provides research as an option to students to solve numerous problems hopes to gain international accreditation and at the same time apply for autonomy with which the institute can change their curriculum to cater to the needs of the industry.
P.Venkatesh Raja
He is currently the Director of SA Engineering College. After completing his B.Tech in Information Technology from Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Venkatesh Raja went on pursue his Master of Science from Monash University, Australia. He has received an Arch of Excellence Award by All India Achievers Conference (AIAC) and was given an Edupreneur award by Dr. K. Rosaiah, Governor of Tamil Nadu.
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