Varun Singh's Review On Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute - [VJTI], Mumbai

VJTI is one of the most prestigious college in Maharashtra. It is also one of the oldest one in Asia and ranks the top among colleges you can get in Maharashtra right behind IITB. I visited around 7-8 colleges right before filling the preference list. I talked to students of those colleges and asked them what the real situation is in terms of placements and opportunities and how the faculty is, student activites, etc. I really liked VJTI and so I opted for it.

The course is slightly different from that of the MU. Not just that, Unlike MU, the grading and exam syllabus are all very flexible. The system for grading is relative, meaning you are graded based on how you performed relative to the class average. So if the paper is too easy, even if you score high, your grade might not be high if the class average is high. Similarly, if you score low on a tough paper, your grade might still be good depending on how well the rest of the batch performed. The course is updated every few years, currently ours is the first batch to pursue the newest updated course. In terms of exposure, I wouldn't say it the best, but its still good. We have already finished 3 projects 2 of which were done on-site and one inside college campus. These projects are graded very strictly and are compulsory for the entire class. Even though it is done in groups, you need to prepare individual site plans, plane table sheets, maps, survey books, etc. The academics is also good. The various subject courses are taught with a side lab so that you get to practically see and experience everything that is being taught. There are also subjects to help enhance your communication skills, courses on economics related to engineering, various extra subjects (which you can chooses to take) on exams such as UPSE, GRE, GMAT, TOFFL, and GATE. The faculty is also really experienced and has a practical approach of teaching where you're presented with a problem and open discussions are done on them which makes the entire learning process really interesting.

Mostly all students get placed. There is a dedicated TPO which ensures all students get placed. 50-60 students out of the entire college don't get placed, and even for them, companies are called specifically for them later on. A lot of big companies such as L&T, Godrej come for placements for civil. There is also a very detailed Internship program wherein companies recruit interns through college and most provide a PPO depending upon how well the student does.

VJTI has a lot of student bodies. (And I really mean a LOT) There's fests done by almost every branches. Then there are common fests which are one of the largest in their fields. The technical fest Technovanza is one of the largest in the whole country with a footfall of over 80k, whereas the sports fest Enthusia and the Cultural fests Pratibimbh are one the the biggest in Maharashtra. There's tons of opportunities for anyone wanting to join the fest teams, in 1st, 2nd and 3rd years. 4th year students cannot join or be a part of any fests( they can guide their juniors but cannot officially be a part of them)

There's tons of scholarship opportunities provided through the colleges by various companies, NGO, alumni associations etc. There's usually a minimum criteria you need to fulfill to take part in these programs, which could be your financial conditions, the category you're from, or your CPI

Civil and Environmental Engg has the best infrastructure in the college. It was recently built by Civil Alumni, and almost all classes have AC and a smart board. There is also a Civil Seminar Hall where a lot of courses are taken, which is a replica of classrooms at MIT(It has been designed by an Alumni who went to MIT)The entire college has a Wi-Fi, which can be used with a MSIS login. The library has also been upgraded last year, and has a very vast range of books, and a very smart catalogue system wherein you can check for available books yourself, and even request a missing book. There is a football ground, a cricket ground, a basketball court in the Quad area, an a Gymkhana with Chess, Carrom and Table Tennis. The labs are also very well equipped. There are hostel facilities with mess for both boys and girls, and a fairly good canteen.