P. A. College of
Engineering and
Technology:
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.
Sarath Shyam
I
t 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, "œLearning 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 WorldClass
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. "œThat 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, "œIn 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. "œOur 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. "œWe 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
We provide engineering
education
for life by close
monitoring of the
academic progress
and holistic development
of our students.
-Dr. P. Appukutty
CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
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, "œthis is an excellent institution with a
social mission."