College of Engineering, Guindy
In 1794, the famous
École Polytechnique (Polytechnic School) was founded in Paris during the French
Revolution. The same year, around 8,000 kilometres away, the first technical
school outside of Europe came into existence in Madras (Chennai). Due to
the growing need for surveyors by the East India Company, the 'School of
Survey' was established in a building near Fort St. George on the
suggestion of Michael Topping in 1794.
This school was one of the first of its
kind in the country and it started out with 8 students. It became the Civil
Engineering School in 1858 and was renamed College of Engineering in 1859, with
the inclusion of a mechanical engineering course. The college was shifted for a
short period to Kalasa Mahal, Chepauk, before settling at its present location
in 1920 as College of Engineering, Guindy - a constituent campus of Anna
University.
CEG, a public engineering college
situated in Chennai, India, and Asia's oldest technical
institution, has the unique distinction of having introduced B.E.
Degree Courses in Mechanical Engineering in 1894, Electrical Engineering in
1930, Telecommunication and Highway Engineering in 1945 Printing Technology in
1983 and Geoinformatics in 1992. It was the first institution in South India to
establish a Computer Centre - as early as 1963.
In 1978, College of Engineering, Guindy became a constituent college and the principal seat of Anna University. College of Engineering Guindy (CEG) is an open institution that is affiliated with Anna University. CEG Guindy has been ranked 17 for Engineering Colleges by NIRF 2022. Currently, it comprises of 12 departments and various research centres to offer nine courses at UG, PG and doctoral level.
Since 2019 the four flagship campuses of Anna University including the College of Engineering, Guindy were recommended to be recognized as an Institute of Eminence by the University Grants Commission of India. However, the Government of Tamil Nadu has rejected the Central Government's offer for fear of loss of the quota of reservations for candidates from backward caste (BC), most backward caste (MBC) backgrounds . The Vice-Chancellor of the university, M. K. Surappa, along with the alumni body of the institution was in favour of attaining the recognition as an Institute of Eminence.
College of Engineering, Guindy offers undergraduate Engineering degrees in various fields. It also offers postgraduate degrees such as MBA, MCA, M.E., M.Sc. M.Tech., M.S. by Research and Ph.D.programmes. CEG has 16 Departments, 6 University Affiliated Centers, and 12 Research Centers where research programs are offered.[citation needed].
Under Tamil Nadu
State Government ownership, CEG covers around 223 acres of land right in the
center of Chennai. It serves as the main campus of Anna University. The
college has 16 hostels which provide accommodation to over 3,500 students.
Separate international hostels are available to cater the needs of
international students and exchange students. Hostel messes are located in
large centralized halls and serve nutritious meals. The hostels accommodate not
only undergraduate students but also postgraduate students and there is a
separate hostel for NRIs and foreign nationals.
A number of Students Service centers
have been placed to address all the needs of students. These include the SC/ST
cell, Center for Professional Development Education, Center for International
Affairs, Health Centre, Center for Women Empowerment and the Student Affairs.
Student wings of National Cadet Corps
(NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), National Sports Organisation (NSO) and
Youth Red Cross (YRC) also function on campus and conduct various activities.
Today, College of Engineering, Guindy
is one of the four constituent colleges of Anna University and one of the most
prestigious and highly selective Engineering schools in the country. The
students studying here constitute some of the brightest minds in the country
and they are recognized globally for this aspect.