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VIT University formally called Vellore Engineering College is an Indian institute of higher education and a Deemed University under Section 3 of the UGC Act. Founded in 1984, as Vellore Engineering College, by Mr. G. Viswanathan, the institution offers 18 undergraduate and 34 postgraduate programmes and draws students from 47 countries as well as from every state in India. It has campuses both at Vellore and Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

History

VIT University was initially founded as Vellore Engineering College on 5 July 1984 by Mr. G Vishwanathan, a former Parliamentarian and Minister in the Government of Tamil Nadu. Started initially with a relatively small campus and only three undergraduate engineering courses — Civil, Mechanical, and Electronics and Communication — the College continued to progress under the fine leadership of G. Viswanathan.

The college was affiliated with Madras University and received many accolades. In 1999 Vellore Engineering College was awarded the ISO 9002 certificate for three years by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) of the Netherlands, making VEC the first educational institute in India to achieve this recognition. In June 2001 and VEC became the Vellore Institute of Technology. Later, by a statute of the government, it became VIT University.

Accreditation

• The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), United Kingdom and the Energy Institute, United Kingdom have audited the teaching-learning processes at VIT and accredited the programmes in 2004, with the highest validity of five years.

• Programmes at VIT have been accredited by the NAB National Assessment and Accreditation Council and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) of the University Grants Commission (UGC) has accredited the university with a 'A'. However some of the programs offered by VIT are not accredited by such bodies.

• Programmes at VIT are accredited by the Institution of Engineers, India (IEI). The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) of the US accredited the civil, mechanical, information technology, computer science, biomedical engineering, electronics & communication and electrical & electronics engineering programmes.

Recognition

• VIT University was the first educational institution in India to be awarded International Organization for Standardization 9002 certificate for three years by the Det Norske Veritas (DNV) of Netherlands for management of the cultural festival 'Riviera' in 2011.
• VIT is the first educational institution to be honoured with the TVN-KIDAO-NIQR award instituted by the National Institute of Quality and Reliability (NIQR), for maintaining exceptional quality.

• VIT university was the first Indian engineering institution to get ABET Accreditation for both civil and mechanical programmes. VIT has also got ABET accreditation for its Bio Technology, Computer science, Information technology, Electronics & Communication Engineering and Electrical and Electronics Engineering since academic year 2012.

Admissions

Admission is largely conducted on merit basis, through the now online entrance exam conducted over a span of 20 days. VIT organises its own entrance exam Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Exam (VITEEE, pronounced as witty). Every year lakhs of students appear for the exam to enter this prestigious institute. To make the process transparent and more quick the exam is conducted online from 2013.

Admissions to postgraduate courses is done through separate exam VITMEE held in April and first week of June every year. Registration fees is Rs.940 for applying online and Rs.990 for applying offline.

Academics

VIT offers academic programmes in Engineering, Technology, Applied Sciences, and Management. It runs 17 undergraduate programmes(UG),28 post graduate(PG),2 integrated MS courses and several doctoral programmes. VIT has consolidated its disciplines into nine "Schools of Study." Research centers are part of the schools, to encourage collaboration amongst the research and coursework areas and to provide opportunity for coursework students to participate in research projects. University organizes many industrial workshops like Automotive Engineering workshops which was organized by ParaMek Technologies in GraVitas Fest and similar other workshops.

The University is among the first in India to implement the Fully Flexible Credit System (FFCS) which gives the students flexibility to make their own time tables by choosing the subjects and the respective faculties under whose guidance they want to study. This system has now been adopted by many other colleges as well.

the institute follows a credit system for evaluating academic performance. The grade point average (GPA) is on a scale of 0 to 10. Courses are allotted number of credits according to their importance. Each academic year is divided into two semesters and teaching programmes are organized around the credit system. Teaching includes lectures, tutorials, practicals, projects, seminars, dissertations, and field and industrial training. The grades are allotted on the basis of relative technique where class average and standard deviation is taken into account so as to ensure fair grades for all students regardless of different marks evaluators.

Grading system followed in VIT

CGPA then gets calculated as the cumulative credit-weighted average of the grade points: CGPA = (Σ Ci • GPi) / (Σ Ci) where: N is the number of courses Ci is credits for the ith course GPi is grade points for the ith course CGPA is the cumulative grade point average

The CGPA is not the same as the American one. In India some credits might be awarded during Bachelor studies for Co-curricular and Extra-curricular Activities, while during the Master Programme this is not allowed.

Schools

Teaching at VIT is structured around nine schools listed below. A student is registered in one of these schools according to his/her field of study.

• School of Computing Science & Engineering (SCSE)
• School of Bio Sciences & Technology (SBST)
• School of Information Technology & Engineering (SITE)
• School of Electrical Engineering (SELECT)
• School of Social Sciences & Languages (SSL)
• School of Advanced Sciences (SAS)
• School of Electronics Engineering (SENSE)
• School of Mechanical & Building Sciences (SMBS)
• VIT Business School (VITBS)

Research

VIT's research strength spans over diverse disciplines like CAD/CAM, Rapid Prototyping, Manufacturing, Product Design, Energy, Biomedical Research, Information Technology, Nanotechnology, Optoelectronics and Materials Engineering. It also expands to research in basic sciences, applied sciences and biosciences. Emerging fields and key hi-tech disciplines of the future are focussed on. It encourages its researchers to participate in a wide range of international research collaborations. VIT's extensive network creates unique opportunities for conducting and supporting research, particularly in inter- and multi-disciplinary areas.

The research output of many educational institutions is steadily growing - as indicated in the recently released report of Scopus, an abstracting and indexing database that includes over 19,000 titles from more than 5,000 international publishers.

While IIT-Madras, Chennai tops the list of institutions in the State with the highest number of research papers indexed by the database, VIT University is a close second. On the nationwide level VIT University is ranked fifth with Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ranked first.

C. Ramalingam, associate dean, (research) at VIT University said, “Scopus rankings are important because the University Grants Commission considers them while reviewing universities. For the third consecutive year, VIT has more publications than any other private institution in the country.”

Prof. Ramalingam added that ever since the university began project-based learning for its students and research scholars, there has been a substantial increase in the interest taken in research. “Research and teaching need to go hand in hand. We encourage our teachers to take an interest in research activities,” he said.

He also said that while the maximum number of publications was still from the sciences, engineering too was picking up. Heads of other universities who have made it to the list too, are delighted.

Gender Discrimination

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Some students have complained that VIT University has much more restrictive hostel rules for female students, compared to their male counterparts. They regard this as an evidence of gender discrimination in VIT, while VIT officials maintain that stricter female hostel rules are a necessary safety precaution. In October 2013, two female students were reprimanded after they helped to organize an online opinion survey of female VIT students, focusing on issues of female safety and inequality. Dr. Theodore Moallem, a VIT Professor who supported the students and filed a public petition in their defense, was simultaneously fired from the university. Only less than 10% of the female students living in VIT's female hostel took part in the survey, even after knowing that their identity would not be revealed. Of those who did participate, roughly 84% of respondents were dissuaded "from speaking out publicly against VIT’s management decisions" by "fear of expulsion, suspension or other academic devastation". Commenting on the issue, VIT University Vice President Sekar Viswanathan said: “The students started a campaign based on the misplaced notion that the university discriminates against women, which is not true. They were taken home by their parents”.

Campus

Vellore Campus

VIT has a lush green campus which spreads about 350 acre. It is divided in two by the Chennai–Bangalore railway line. The academic portion of the campus and the women's hostels are to the south of the railway tracks while the northern portion houses the men's hostels and the outdoor stadium. Both the parts are connected by 3 subways. The inside of the campus resembles a city, with lake, gardens, lawns, residential complexes, food courts and wide roads. The campus has its own water supply and backup electricity supply along with shopping complexes to cater to the daily needs of residents.

Location

It is located in the city of Vellore in India's southern state, Tamil Nadu, between Chennai and Bangalore. It is 130 km west of Chennai and 180 km east of Bangalore. The nearest airport is Chennai, (two and half hours drive).Vellore-katpadi Junction is the nearest railway station, just 3 km from VIT campus and accessible by train and road from Chennai and Bengaluru. Also it is just 5 km from Andhra Pradesh border and approximately 25 km from Chittoor

Hostels

Every effort has been made at the Vellore Institute of Technology to provide the best facilities for students who live on campus. The men's hostel strength is about 15000. The hostel includes an outdoor stadium and an indoor stadium, a swimming pool, basketball court and a tennis court. The size of playground falls short when compared to the number of students. The in-time for men's hostel is 9.30 pm (except on Saturday which is 10.30 pm).

18 hostels are located in VIT campus. There are Fifteen Men's Hostels, which accommodate students in single, two and three bedded, four bedded and six bedded rooms. AC and non-AC rooms are available in all categories allotted on the basis of merit.

The Six Women's Hostels have room for 3200 students. Women students have access to gym facilities and a newly built swimming pool inside one of these hostel premises. Individual metering service for those who want air-conditioning facilities is also provided. Optional washing services are provided in well maintained separate washing areas.

All the hostels are named after pioneers in field of science, literature and peace. They are

Men's hostel

• Albert Einstein block
• Swami Vivekananda block
• Rabindranath Tagore block
• Nelson Mandela block
• Sir C. V. Raman block
• Ramanujan block
• Socrates block
• John F Kennedy block
• Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan block
• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose block
• Pagga The Stupid block
• Quaid-E-Milleth Muhammad Ismail block
• Charles Darwin block

Girls Hostel

• Mother Teresa block
• Jhansi Rani Lakshmibai block
• Ida S. Scudder block
• Suu Kyi block
• Kalpana Chawla block..
• Indira Gandhi block

Sports and activities

VIT has a number of centers for physical education and sports activities that help the students maintain fitness and develop a competitive spirit. Its numerous outdoor playgrounds and indoor courts are spread over a 20-acre area. University sporting facilities include an athletic track and field stadium, basketball courts, tennis courts, two swimming pools (one is Olympic sized),a football ground, two A.C gymnasium, badminton court, squash and many more

The campus is WiFi enabled. The campus has a good music scene and has a music room to encourage students to form bands and create music – everything from classical to heavy metal.

College festivals

There are two main college fests conducted in VIT- graVITas and Riviera. GraVITas is a techfest (technology oriented festival) conducted in August/September. Riviera is a sports and cultural festival. According to Organizers for Riviera 2011 it pulls more than 300 participants from over 20 colleges and universities. Rivera 2013 was a bigger success. It saw popular names like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Sukhwinder Singh, Chiyaan Vikram and many more. Further, GraVITas 2012 was a huge success. ParaMek Technologies from New Delhi conducted workshop on Automotive Engineering during the fest which was attended by more than 450 students.

Residential complexes

The southern side of the campus houses six building complexes, that are designated women's hostels. The northern section of the campus houses fourteen building complexes that form the men's hostel.

Chennai campus

Chennai campus is present on the Vandalur-Kelambakkam road. The campus is known for its greenery and is also called as the Green Campus. It has an open air auditorium also called as amphi-theater along with which it has a well furnished library with variety of books available to students. The campus has ATM facilities along with major food spots as Gazebo, Nescafe Point and others.

University sporting facilities include an athletic track, basketball courts, tennis courts and a football ground. The campus is WiFi enabled. The campus also has a music room and a dance room to encourage students to form dance groups and create music, everything from classical to heavy metal.

Location

It is located midway between Vandalur Zoo and Kelambakkam in South Chennai in the State of Tamil Nadu. It is 30 km away from Chennai International Airport and 42 km away from Chennai Central Junction. It is easily accessible by Metro Train and Deluxe Buses from both Chennai Airport and Central Railway Junction. The nearest Metro Station is Vandalur Zoo, which is 9 km from the campus. The campus can be reached by MTC Bus Route No. 555,517,515 from Tambaram bound for Tiruporur. From Vandalur Zoo, van services are also available.

Departments

Gallery

• Technology Tower, Vellore
• Academic Block, Chennai
• MBA Block, Chennai
• Men's Hostels, Chennai
• Gazebo, Chennai
• Men's hostel H block, Vellore
• Central Library, Vellore

References

1. "VIT University Vellore campus Students Strength". Retrieved 2014. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
2. ^ "VIT University NDT Workshop" (PDF). Retrieved 2014. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help) Cite error: The named reference "Degrees" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
3. ^ "U.S. Embassy Chief, handing over the ABET certificate to G. Viswanathan, Chancellor of VIT University, Vellore". The Hindu. 30 November 2009.
4. "Accredited Programs VIT University, Vellore, India". ABET.
5. "VIT University - Accreditation". Retrieved 2009-09-20.
6. "ABET accreditation for two more programmes at VIT university, Vellore". The Hindu. 23 February 2012.
7. "VIT opts for computer-based entrance exam for B.Tech". Chennai,India: "The Hindu". 11 Dec 2012.
8. http://www1.infermap.com/exam/VITEEE
9. "VIT University - Schools of study". Retrieved 2009-09-20.
10. http://www.thehindu.com/features/education/iitm-vit-top-list-of-univs-with-high-research-output/article4627827.ece
11. , “When It Comes to College Rules, It's All Down to Safety” The Hindu, 6 June 2013.
12. ^ ,“Two VIT Students Sent Home for Dissent” The Hindu, 11 October 2013.
13. ^ ,“Kept Away from Commotion” The Hindu, 11 October 2013.
14. , “Petitioning G. Viswanathan VIT University: Give Women Equal Rights and Stop Suppressing Free Speech” Change.org October 2013.
15. Sankar, Nanditha (2013-10-25). "[UPDATE] VIT University Refuses To Act Even While Thousands Register Their Protest!". Youth Ki Awaaz.
16. , “VIT: A Case Of Blatant Gender Discrimination At A Top Indian Engineering School” International Business Times, 9 November 2013.
17. , VIT Female Student Survey Results
18. BP Staff (2013-10-27). "VIT University Professor removed after starting Online Petition?". Biharprabha News. Bihar, India.
19. http://vit.ac.in/informationfor/location.asp
20. "Rs 118-crore hostels opened at VIT, Vellore". The Indian Express. 12 August 2012.
21. "Rs 118-crore hostels opened at VIT, Vellore". CNN IBN. 14 August 2012.
22. "Inauguration Dr. Ida Scudder Block (Ladies Hostel) at VIT, Vellore". The Hindu. 28 February 2008.
23. "Finance Minister inaugurates Suu Kyi Block (ladies hostel) on VIT campus, Vellore". The Hindu. 9 April 2009.
24. "sports facilities in vit".
25. "Pronto Networks Deploys Fully Secure Wi-Fi At VIT Campus". Retrieved 2009-09-20.
26. ^ "VIT University-Campus life". Retrieved 2009-09-20. Cite error: The named reference "riviera" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
27. http://www.infermap.com/college/Vellore-Institute-of-Technology-Vellore&tab=admission

External links

• Official website

v t e Education in Tamil Nadu
Institutes of National Importance	Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha IIIT Tiruchirappalli IITD&M, Kancheepuram IIM Tiruchirappalli IIT Madras Kalakshetra Foundation NIT Tiruchirappalli Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development
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