Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science and Technology, commonly known as PRIST University, is a private and deemed university in Thanjavur.  The institute which was initially known as the Institute of Computer Science and Technology, was founded in 1985 by Prof. P. Murugesan to introduce Computer education to Thanjavur District.  In 1988, the institute received affiliation from Bharathidasan University to offer Postgraduate Diploma Programs in Computer Applications. Thereafter it expanded to include an Arts and Science College, College of Engineering and Technology, College of Education, Research Institution and Polytechnic College.  The institute has campuses in Trichy, Kumbakonam, Puducherry, Chennai, and Madurai.  Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institutions is a group of colleges in Tamil Nadu.  Mr M. Ponnaiyah Nageshwaran is the Chancellor of PRIST.  The College functions with the Motto - Quality and Discipline. 

PRIST is located on the Trichy–Thanjavur Road,, Vallam, Cafe road, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.  It functions from two campuses – West Campus and East Campus.  The Thanjavur West Campus is the Main Campus which covers more than 47 acres of land.  It houses a population of over 5,000 students with 20 blocks and two boys' hostels. The Thanjavur East Campus is located approximately 15 km east of the main campus.  It contains several blocks for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses in the fields of Science, Humanities, Pharmacy and Management, as well as a girls' hostel that houses over 1000 students.  It contains a well-stocked library and many indoor and outdoor sports facilities.

PRIST University is ranked 8th overall and 64th for BTech in TOI 2021 rankings.  It has received approvals from UGC, AICTE, MHRD, PCI, BCI, NCTE and COA and is accredited by NAAC with ‘A’ grade.

The institute offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Engineering, Science, Education, Management, Arts, and Law, as well as Research (Doctoral) programs in a wide range of streams such as Engineering, Management, Computer Applications, Arts, Commerce, Pharmacy, Law, Agriculture etc. Some of the most popular courses of the university are B.Tech, B.Arch, BCom, B.Sc., B.A., B.B.A., B.Pharm., B.C.A., B.Ed., L.L.B., B.B.A. L.L.B., B.Com. L.L.B., and B.Sc. L.L.B. University PG Courses include M.Tech., M.Sc., M.A., M.B.A., M.Com., M.C.A., M.Phil., and M.Ed. The college offers Ph.D at the doctoral level. Admission to the Institute for engineering courses is based on student performance on the All-India Engineering Entrance Examination.  PRIST University provides mostly entrance based admissions to its professional courses. The university accepts JEE Mains, NATA, GATE and CAT entrance exams for admissions to BTech, BArch, MTech and MBA programs respectively. The university conducts its own entrance exam known as PRIST Entrance Exam (PEE) for admissions to some specific courses.  Application forms for admissions are released online every year. Candidates can visit the official website of the university and apply on or before the last date of admission.

PRIST University offers a range of Facilities for its students and staff which include Student Services Center, Health Center, Yoga Center, Hostel, Cafeteria, Gym, Play Ground, ATM, Transport, Museum and Art Gallery.  To cater to the betterment and overall development of its students the college provides all kinds of support and assistance including Training & Placement Assistance, Career Guidance and Counselling, Green Cell, Associations & Clubs, Student Cabinet, Anti Ragging Committees, Grievance Redressal Committee, Alumni Assn. and many more.

Multidisciplinary Education

PRIST provides students with opportunities to pursue education across diverse disciplines, including engineering and technology, arts and science, management, education, law, agriculture, and other fields. This multidisciplinary environment encourages students to gain broader knowledge and interact with learners from different academic backgrounds.

Deemed-to-be University Status

As an institution deemed to be university, PRIST offers programmes under its university framework and provides students with opportunities for undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and research-oriented education. The university focuses on academic development, research, innovation, and professional competence.

Research and Innovation

The institution encourages students and faculty members to participate in research projects, conferences, seminars, workshops, publications, innovation activities, and collaborative academic initiatives. This research-oriented environment helps students develop analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and an interest in emerging areas of knowledge.

Practical Learning

PRIST combines classroom education with laboratory work, projects, internships, workshops, seminars, field visits, and other experiential learning activities. Practical exposure helps students understand how academic concepts are applied in professional and real-world situations.

Modern Campus Infrastructure

The university provides a spacious campus with academic buildings, laboratories, ICT-enabled classrooms, seminar halls, library resources, hostels, sports facilities, transportation, health services, cafeteria, and other student amenities. These facilities support both academic learning and overall student development.

Student Development

Students are encouraged to participate in sports, cultural activities, technical events, clubs, seminars, conferences, social-service activities, and personality-development programmes. Such opportunities help students develop communication, teamwork, leadership, creativity, confidence, and social responsibility.

Career Opportunities

The Training and Placement Division provides career guidance, employability training, interview preparation, internships, professional-development programmes, and recruitment opportunities. Students can explore careers in technology, engineering, management, finance, education, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, services, and other sectors depending on their chosen programme.

To become a center of excellence in engineering and technology education by nurturing technically competent, innovative, ethical, and socially responsible professionals capable of contributing to industry, research, and sustainable development.

• To provide quality engineering education through effective teaching and practical learning.
• To develop students' technical, analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
• To promote research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning.
• To provide practical exposure through internships, industrial visits, workshops, and industry interaction.
• To encourage discipline, ethical values, teamwork, and social responsibility.
• To prepare students for successful careers, higher education, and professional growth.

Admission to Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science and Technology (PRIST), Thanjavur varies according to the programme selected. Candidates must first identify the desired undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral programme and check the prescribed eligibility requirements. Applicants can complete the university's admission application process and submit the required academic certificates, identification documents, photographs, and other supporting documents. Depending on the programme, admission may be based on qualifying examination merit, university-level selection, counselling, or an applicable entrance examination prescribed by the university or statutory authority. Eligible candidates must complete document verification and pay the prescribed fees after selection. The final step involves completing university registration and reporting to the institution before the commencement of the academic session.

Admission Criteria

Eligible students can apply for various government, university, and other scholarship schemes according to prevailing eligibility conditions. Financial assistance may be available for categories such as SC/ST, BC/MBC, minority communities, economically weaker students, merit-based students, and other eligible groups. Students can receive guidance regarding application procedures, required certificates, verification, and renewal. Scholarship opportunities help deserving students manage educational expenses and continue their higher education.

The Training and Placement Division works to improve students' employability through aptitude training, communication and soft-skill development, technical and domain-specific training, resume preparation, group discussions, mock interviews, internships, career counselling, and recruitment drives. Students are provided opportunities to interact with recruiters and industry professionals and explore employment across technology, engineering, manufacturing, finance, management, education, healthcare, agriculture, and service sectors. The university also encourages students to pursue higher studies, research, entrepreneurship, professional certifications, and competitive examinations according to their career goals.

PRIST provides extensive academic infrastructure to support teaching, practical learning, research, and innovation. The campus includes classrooms, ICT-enabled classrooms, departmental laboratories, computer laboratories, workshops, seminar halls, library and digital learning resources, research facilities, project spaces, and other academic amenities. Students can use these resources for laboratory experiments, assignments, projects, seminars, workshops, conferences, research activities, and presentations. The multidisciplinary campus also provides opportunities for students to interact across different fields and participate in interdisciplinary learning.

PRIST provides hostel accommodation for students who require residential facilities during their studies. Hostel arrangements provide a safe and comfortable environment with facilities such as furnished rooms, dining services, drinking water, electricity, study spaces, recreation areas, security, and supervision. Hostel life enables students from different parts of Tamil Nadu and other regions to participate conveniently in academic activities, campus events, sports, cultural programmes, and student clubs.

Transportation facilities are available to provide convenient connectivity between the campus and surrounding areas. College buses assist students and staff with daily commuting and are also useful for industrial visits, educational tours, fieldwork, internships, conferences, workshops, and other off-campus academic activities. The transport facility supports students travelling from nearby towns and residential areas.