Why SOE, CUSAT is the perfect institution in Kerala for pursuing your engineering degree.

I took my B.tech admission in the year 2016. I was fortunate to be shortlisted in the two best engineering colleges in Kerala, SOE, CUSAT, and GEC, THRISSUR. I preferred SOE, CUSAT since it was the only NBA first-tier accredited Engineering institute in Kerala apart from NIT, CALICUT. NBA first-tier makes the course approved by many foreign countries according to Washington Accord, 2014( visit soe.cusat.ac.in). All reservation Criteria are considered during the admission process and I was included in OBC strata during the process. Every candidate with a good score in CAT along with an aggregate 0f 60% in plus two will be allocated in the offered programs. Candidates included in the SEBC strata will qualify with an aggregate of 55% and 50% marks in mathematics. For the admission process, candidates from a range of CAT rank levels ( ie, 0-500) were called for counseling and admitted accordingly. All the required documents and first-semester fee was collected at the time of admission itself.

I took admission into the 2015 scheme of mechanical engineering. The course structure is amended according to the need of employability and technical advancement. The faculties were well qualified and even most guest faculties hold Phd degrees. The mechanical engineering department of SOE boasts the presence of well-renowned professors and lecturers. As most faculties were well experienced, no spoon-feeding was entertained during lectures. Examinations were conducted without any delays and passing the exams was not a Himalayan task, thanks to the input by the faculty. The results were published three months from the date of the completion of the exams. The practicals were also conducted in a smooth manner and good knowledge about the experiments was essential to clear the exam.

I have completed my internship at Fertilisers And Chemicals of Travancore Limited. I was recommended by the faculties of the mechanical engineering department along with my peers. Even though it was a paid internship the amount was reimbursed through CITTIC, Cusat. Candidates who have completed their internship in DAIKIN were offered with permanent posts at the firm. Students were assisted by the faculties for enrolling for internships at Kochi Metro and Cochin Shipyard.

Many renowned organizations all over India make their placement drives in SOE, CUSAT. Organisations include tech gaints like TCS, INFOCYS, WIPRO and public sector companies like IOCL, BPCL and ONGC. MRF, VKC recruits candidates from the mechanical engineering stream. Placement drives of each batch begins during the seventh semester. Safety and Fire graduates usually records the highest packages in campus placement drives. The highest package bagged by a safety and fire graduate was 18 lakh per annum. The CS and IT departemts bags the highest number placements in each drive. The average CTC recorded is 4.9 lakh per annum. On average 70% of the eligible candidates were shortlised for placements

The fee structure was divided into different stratas based on residential status and reservation eligibilities. The average fee for one semester in Kerala merit was around INR 25000, whereas in all India merit the fee was around INR 45000 on an average (visit cusat.ac.in). The fee to pay for NRI candidates per semester is around INR 60000. Also the NRI candidates are required to pay a refundable caution deposit of INR 150000 On reservation basis the SC/ST candidates are required to pay around INR 1000 per semester. There is a fee hike 5% after every academic year. Even though the institution does not provide any scholarships, the eligible candidates are provided assistance for applying for government scholarships like MOMA and E GRANTZ. MESAC, the alumni association of mechanical department offers scholarships for academically well-performing students from poor financial backgrounds. The paid internship done by students are reimbursed by the university through CITTIC.

CUSAT offers much more than ordinary engineering colleges in terms of campus life. Male and female students are provided accomodation in university hostels. Students from all streams of higher education makes the university campus more vibrant. The student community is so much diverse that international students from countries like Japan, Zambia are pursuing their education in the campus. January and February are the months of celebration in CUSAT, this period is filled with events like tech fest DISHNA, cultural fests like VIPANCHIKA and SARGAM and much more colourful events. Sports facilities include courts for different games like football, cricket, badminton and basketball. The university also provides a well;equipped fitness centre for staff and students. A well furnished university library with a wide range of books and journals is open to students till 10pm. The university has paid a subscription to software like MATLAB to provide free accessiblity for students.

The university provides accomodation facilities for male and female students in the university hostels. International students are accomodated in a premium facility, Adhithi Bhavan. Sahara hostel, which was my home for two years, provides seperate canteens for North indian and South indian inmates. The menu of the canteens are designed according to need of inmates. The students who are staying outside the hostels are also admitted in hostel canteens. Inamtes are provided with amentities like wifi connection and water purifiers. The hostels are guarded by securities 24|7 and any attempts of ragging are strictly prohibited in hostels. The campus is surrounded by many PGs and restaurants and the natives are in perfect harmony with the student community. The university hostels are highly affordable and admissions are allocated on priority basis. All festivals like Onam, Holi, Christmas and ramadan are celebrated in a grand manner through out the hostels.