Vidya Academy of Science and Technology ('VAST), also known as Vidya Engineering College or Vidya College or simply Vidya, is a private self-financing engineering college in Thrissur District in Kerala. The college offers B Tech courses in six branches of engineering - Civil, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronics, Electronics and Communication, Mechanical, and Production -and also the post-
graduate course of MCA. The college was established and is administered by Vidya International Charitable Trust (VICT), a registered body formed by more than a thousand non-resident Keralites mostly based in the Arab Gulf states. VAST meets the Kerala guidelines for new colleges control especially in matters of admissions and fee structure. A substantial number of students hold scholarships instituted by the management. The college has implemented the AICTE Tuition Fee Waiver Scheme for promoting technical education for women, handicapped and weaker sections of the society. History:-
The college started functioning in August 2003 offering B Tech courses in four branches of engineering, namely Computer Science, Electrical and Electronics, Electronics and Communication, and Mechanical. From 2006 the college began to offer B Tech programmes in Civil Engineering and Production Engineering. In the same year the postgraduate programme of Master of Computer Applications (MCA) was started. There are around 1900 students and 112 faculty members. Certifications:-
The college is affiliated to the University of Calicut, approved by the All India Council for Technical Education and recognized by the Government of Kerala (see External links below). It has also secured ISO 9001:2000 certification. Departments and Courses:-
The college has seven engineering departments (including the Department of Computer Applications) and three allied departments. The College runs six B Tech programmes and the MCA programme. Engineering departments :-
Department of Civil Engineering
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Department of Computer Applications
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Department of Production Engineering
Allied departments :-
Department of Applied Sciences
Department of Humanities
Department of Training and Placement
Twinning Programmes :-
VIDYA has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with State University of New York at New Paltz providing for a twinning programme arrangement
Library :-
The college library houses a collection of more than 13000 books in branches of engineering, technology and basic sciences. National and international journals, including e-journals, are subscribed. The global e-journal literature relating to engineering and technology can be accessed through J-Gate. There is a collection of Educational software in the library. The full set of web courses prepared by NPTEL (a joint initiative of the IITs and the IISc) is available through the intranet of the college. Research and allied activities:-
The college has a forum in the form of Research Development Extension and Consultancy Cell (RDEC Cell) for promoting research and allied activities. The infrastructure facilities of the college are utilized for formulating and implementing research projects. The laboratories provide the testing facilities. Institutional memberships :-
The College has institutional memberships in the following professional associations:
Computer Society of India (CSI)
Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE)
Institution of Engineers (India)
Nano Science and Technology Consortium
In addition, there are active student chapters of Computer Society of India, ISTE and Institution of Engineers (India), and also of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in the college. Academic tie-ups :-
The college has academic tie-ups with these IT industries. Infosys Technologies Limited through their Campus-Connect programme
Tata Consultancy Services Limited
Cisco Systems through the Cisco Networking Academy at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore. Physical infrastructure :-
Only the Central Block of the present college buildings had been completed when the college started functioning. The South Block was added in 2007 and the North Block in 2008. A CAD/CAM lab is equipped with CNC machines and professional software.[9]
The student-computer ratio in the campus is nearly 3:1. Even though the college promotes free software products, major proprietary software packages are available. There are separate hostels for boys and girls on the campus. Hostels :-
Full facility hostel with NRI standards. Good breakfast, lunch, tea, snacks and dinner. facilities like cable TV, internet, WLAN, table tennis, carroms, ironing, hot water availablity, bed coffee, etc. Three students in a room. They are free to use what ever they want according to their wish and comfort. Placements :-
There is a placement cell under the supervision of a Placement Officer. During the first year of its operation, a large number of students were placed in major companies. In order to enhance their employability, the students are trained in Turning Point programme. This is a programme to develop the students confidence, making them comfortable while facing the public, in interviews, and in group discussions.
