The dreams of its founding fathers took shape in 1984 in the form of Shanmugha College of Engineering, which eventually was renamed as, Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA). SASTRA has always been proactive in its academic planning and believes in gaining the first-mover advantage. As a testimony to this, the Government of India has conferred the University status to SASTRA on April 26, 2001 under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. SASTRA offers various undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Engineering, Science, Education, Management, Law and Arts besides various Doctoral programs. With a sprawling campus spread over 232 acres and a vibrant population of over 10,000 students and over 700 teaching faculty have made SASTRA a landmark in the educational map of India.

With an ideal teacher-taught ratio, the University strives for academic excellence through personalized attention. The mechanisms established to support and monitor the student's progress assure success and satisfaction. Since its inception, SASTRA has achieved national standing in terms of academic performance, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and also in its growth and commitment to social service. SASTRA shapes its students' future by fostering a teamwork approach to instruction, encouraging interaction with faculty, providing access to high tech information, motivating them to develop new ideas and concepts, taking personal interest in students' career development and preparing them for success.