Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute

Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI)
Seal of VJTI
Established	1887
Type	Govt-aided Engineering College
Director	Dr. M. C. Deo
Academic staff	150
Students	2705
Undergraduates	2080
Postgraduates	556
Doctoral students	69
Location	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Campus	Urban 16 acres (65,000 m2)
Former names	Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute
Newsletter	VJ. News
Website	www.vjti.ac.in

Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute Mumbai

Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) (Marathi: वीरमाता जीजाबाई तंत्रज्ञान संस्था) is a premier regional engineering and technical institute, located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, and one of the oldest engineering colleges in Asia. Founded in 1887, it was previously known as the Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute, and was rechristened to its present name on January 26, 1997. The institute is financially supported by the Government of Maharashtra.

VJTI is an academically and administratively autonomous institute, however it is a part of the University of Mumbai and its degrees are issued by the University. The University of Mumbai has a five star ranking, given by the NAAC. UoM (University of Mumbai) is ranked amongst the top 500 universities in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings.

After being awarded academic autonomy in 2004, VJTI became operational under the administration of a Board of Governors. VJTI is also the Central Technical Institute of Maharashtra State. The Institute is reputed for excellent training in courses in engineering and technology at the diploma, degree and post graduate levels.

History

Foundation and early years (1887–1960)

Established in 1887, VJTI initially began with only two departments, namely the Sir J. J. School of Mechanical Engineering and the Ripon Textile School for the two branches of industry in which Bombay was vitally interested at the time. The first step in the expansion of the Institute was taken in 1903 when courses in Electrical Engineering were introduced. The Technical & Applied Chemistry Department was added in 1906 which was followed in 1914 by the Department of Sanitary Engineering. In June 1913 , the institute was recognised by the Government of Bombay as the Central Technological Institute, Bombay Province. In the early days, the Institute was housed in Byculla, in a building donated for the purpose by the Sir Dinshaw Maneckji Petit. In the course of development, the Institute's building at Byculla proved insufficient for the growing number of students who sought admission and soon after the First World War in 1923, the Institute moved to its present and more commodious, specially constructed building at Matunga, which represents the most important landmark in the history of the Institute. This would not have been possible but for the liberal grants given by the Government and the Bombay Millowners' Association. A new block of northern light roof type construction was added in 1931 for housing the textile machinery and equipment which was obtained through the kind offices of Sir Ness Wadia.

The Bachelor Degree courses in Textile, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering were started In 1946,1947 and 1949 respectively. The Institute is affiliated to the University of Mumbai and was one of the fourteen institutes selected by the Central Government for further development with grant-in-aid from the Centre.

Development & Post-Autonomy (1960–present)

Prior to 1960, Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute was the only Institute offering Engineering degree and Post Graduate courses under the University of Bombay and enjoyed defacto autonomy. VJTI has played a very vital role in curriculum development such as the introduction of new courses, framing their syllabi and their examination schemes at the University level. In 1997, the Institute was renamed to Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute.

The institute was granted financial and academic autonomy from June 21, 2004. As a result, the autonomous VJTI has implemented a revised syllabus for its students in June 2004 at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels by implementing a much valued credit system. The revised scheme of examinations, which follows a grading system and letter grade point system has been implemented. An important part of curriculum is the practically oriented project at the final year of graduation and the dissertations offered by the postgraduate students, as also the in-plant training undergone by the Third Year Diploma students.

VJTI Main Entrance

Significant changes under autonomy are the setting up of Distance Education Programmes (DEP) with IIT Bombay, with VJTI being a Remote Centre; as also the modernization of the Library to a digital library. Mention must be made that postgraduate students may see the journals online throughout the week, with facility for printing. Several students societies, inter-college festivals, and the college magazine "Nirmaan" serve as a platform to enhance students personality. VJTI also initiated a newsletter named 'VJ.News' in March 2010.

Under a World Bank grant, the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP), the institute has several projects underway to establish itself as a world class technological institute. The modernization will offer excellent central computing facilities to students, who will also have access to improved laboratory and workshop facilities. The faculty at the institute is recognized for its Testing and Consultancy work. Realizing the potential of the institute, reputed industries have sponsored laboratories - for instance, the high voltage laboratory, courtesy Siemens; and the Computational Fluid Dynamics laboratory, courtesy Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

Individual students profiles through departmental brochures are centrally positioned with the "Training and Placement" office of the institute. The office competently liaises with over hundred companies and successfully places students for employment and in-plant training through campus recruitement programmes. In 2010, VJTI added Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering to its list of departments.

National Ranking

• VJTI was ranked seventh best in the country among private engineering colleges in a Mint C-Fore Survey in 2008.
• VJTI was ranked eighth best in the country among private engineering colleges in an Outlook magazine survey in 2007.
• VJTI was ranked ninth best in the country among all engineering colleges in an India Today survey in 1999.

Admissions

• Admissions for undergraduate degree courses are based on the scores in the Maharashtra Health Science And Technical - Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET)

The admission process is carried out separately by Directorate of Technical Education along with 5 other autonomous institutes in Maharashtra. Respective admission rounds are known as CAPAI (Centralized Admission Process to Autonomous Institutes).

• Admissions for undergraduate diploma courses are based on scores in the Class 10 Board Examination.
• M.C.A. admissions are based on the scores in the MCA-CET.
• Admissions for postgraduate engineering courses are through GATE or sponsorship.

Academic departments

The Institute has 14 academic departments:

1. Civil Engineering & Environmental Engineering
2. Structural Engineering
3. Computer Technology
4. Master in Computer Applications
5. Information Technology
6. Electrical Engineering
7. Electronics Engineering
8. Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering
9. Mechanical Engineering
10. Production Engineering
11. Textile Manufacturing
12. Technical & Applied Chemistry
13. Mathematics
14. Physics
15. Humanities & Management

Organization

At the institutional level, VJTI is governed by a Board of Governors with a Chairman, the Director as a member and other Members of the Board. Members include Heads of Industry, prominent VJTI alumni as well as Heads of other educational institutions. The current Chairman of the Board is Shri. Nusli Wadia, Chairman, Bombay Dyeing Ltd., and other Members of the Board are:

• Dr. Anil Kakodkar, ex-Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission
• Prof. Devang Kakkar, Director, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
• Dr. Hasit Joshipura, Vice President, South Asia and MD, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical Ltd., Mumbai
• Dr. V N Magare, Principal Kirti College Dadar (University Nominee)
• Dr. M A Dharap, Head, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, VJTI
• Dr. M. C. Deo, Director, VJTI

The key people in the execution of the Institute's activities are the Director who is assisted by the Dean (Academic Affairs), Dean (Students Affairs), Dean (Resource Mobilization) and Dean (Research & Development), and the respective Heads of the Departments.

Student Societies

Society of Robotics and Automation (SRA)

The Society of Robotics & Automation was founded in 2008 under the Mechanical Engineering Department. The student society works in the field of robotics and automation. Senior student members of the society train and assist students to undertake projects, participate in competitions, undertake industrial and research projects. Students from the Society of Robotics and Automation won Round 1 of the DRDO Golden Jubilee Students Competition organised by the DRDO in association with the ADE, for which they received a cash prize of Rs. 50,000. They were one of ten teams to represent their institute at Round 2 held in Bangalore in May 2009.The students of SRA also represent VJTI in ROBOCON(Asia-Pacific Robot Contest) and were ranked 9th in Robocon 2011 and also won an award for the "Best Economical Robot" in the same year.

Debate & Literary Arts Society (DLA)

The Debate & Literary Arts Society, commonly known as the DLA, is a VJTI student organization under the Humanities & Management Department. The DLA's activities are primarily divided into three areas: the VJTI Newsletter (VJ.News), Debates and Model United Nations (MUNs). Besides these, the DLA also organizes regular seminars and lectures on Economics, Literature, Creative Writing, etc. The DLA is also responsible for most of the events organized at Pratibimb, VJTI's annual cultural festival.

Students who show keen interest and resolve, are appointed to the DLA Committee. The Committee consists of the two General Secretaries who are appointed by the Institute every academic year. Other Committee members manage and oversee all other aspects of the DLA, including VJ.News, Debates and MUNs. Members involved in the DLA's projects will be supervised by the respective DLA Committee member.

VJ.News, the Official VJTI Newsletter

VJ.News

VJ.News is the official VJTI newsletter, published four times every academic year. The Debate & Literary Arts Society carries out the entire coordination and execution of the newsletter. With a team of faculty members at the helm and a committed student body overseeing all operations, VJ.News reaches out to both students and professors alike. VJ.News incorporates a myriad issues such as placement information, internship advice, events, competitions, information on competitive exams such as the GRE and CAT, society announcements, editorials and student and faculty columns. Articles written by students, expressing their opinions, perceptions and experiences at VJTI are a primary element of the newsletter.

Annual Festivals

Enthusia

Enthusia is the National-level Annual Sports Festival of VJTI, and one of the largest intercollegiate sports festivals of Mumbai. Engineering and Medical Colleges from all over Mumbai and also Maharashtra participate in this 18-20 day long festival.

Technovanza

Technovanza is the 3-day National-level Annual Techno-management Festival of VJTI which consists of various competitions, exhibitions, workshops and seminars on robotics, programming and much more starting from February 3, 2012 to February 5, 2012. This is largest Techno Management Festival in Maharashtra.

Pratibimb

Pratibimb is the 3-day National-level Annual Cultural Festival of VJTI.

Alumni

The VJTI Alumni Association

Formed in March 1944, the VJTI's Alumni Association was formerly known as the VJTI Old Boys' Association. In the year 1973 the association was re-christened "The VJTI Alumni Association" and was formally registered with the Charities Commissioner under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

The objectives of the Association as laid down in the memorandum then were as follows:

• To secure an intimate contact amongst the alumni, past and present students and faculty.
• To promote and support educational activities and programmes for the benefit of the alumni and the students.
• To assist the Institute and the alumni in every manner possible through the specialized knowledge and experience gained in the profession by the members.
• To maintain a permanent record of the alumni.
• To assist the alumni and the Institute in training and placement activities.
• To promote social, cultural and sports activities amongst the alumni, past and present students and the staff.
• To promote and support publications of journals, bulletins, text books etc. of scientific and technical nature.
• To promote the cause of technical education and/or advise and represent professional bodies, industries, educational institutions and Government Bodies.
• To assist needy and deserving students by providing financial aid.
• To create greater rapport between VJTI and the industry.
• To institute awards to deserving students of the Institute for achievements in sports and technical activities.

The revival of the Alumni Association was spurred at the event Blueprint 2020, held in April 2004 with the encouragement of the then Principal and Secretary. Ever since then, the Alumni Association has taken shape with the efforts of committed alumni as well as present students.

Distinguished Alumni

• Dr. Anil Kakodkar – Former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission of India
• Amit Chandra - Managing Director, Bain Capital India
• Avtar Saini – Former Director for South Asia Region, Intel and one of the pioneers of the Pentium-series processors
• Renuka Ramnath – Managing Director and CEO, ICICI Venture
• Dr. Hasit Joshipura, Vice President, South Asia and MD, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical Ltd., Mumbai
• Dr. Vijay Gupchup – Former Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Mumbai, Ex-Chairman of the Research Council of Structural Engg. Research Centre in Chennai and Ex-Chairman of the National Board of Accreditation, AICTE, New Delhi
• Chaggan Bhujbal – Minister of Public Works Department and former Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Maharashtra
• Jayant Patil – Minister of Rural Development, Government of Maharashtra

See also

• List of Indian engineering college rankings
• List of Mumbai Colleges
• Matunga
• Wadala
• Timeline of Mumbai events

External links

• http://www.vjti.ac.in/
• http://www.vjtialumni.com
• http://sra.vjti.info
• http://dla.vjti.info