For many students, choosing engineering as a career path feels natural and straightforward. However, the real challenge lies in selecting the right institute. Today’s engineering colleges are expected not only to deliver a strong educational experience but also to provide effective career guidance and assurance. Yet, not all institutes in the country meet these high standards. Ramco Institute of Technology excels in this area, earning consistent recognition for its strong placements and robust industry-academia partnerships. In light of these achievements, we at the Education Excellence Awards are pleased to honor Ramco Institute of Technology as the Engineering College of the Year for Career Assurance 2024.
A Vision for Accessible Excellence in Engineering Education
Before delving into the career assurance milestones achieved by Ramco Institute of Technology in recent years, let’s first take a quick look at what RIT stands for. Established with the vision of providing high-quality engineering education at an accessible cost, RIT operates under the guidance of Chairman Shri. P. R. Venketrama Raja, son of Shri P. R. Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha, and is supported by accomplished professionals, academicians, and educational experts. The institute strives to create a dynamic learning environment, developing engineering and technology graduates who are well-prepared for today’s industry demands.
As a part of the renowned Ramco Group, known for its innovation and quality standards both in India and globally, RIT is committed to setting high benchmarks in the education sector. In line with this legacy, RIT’s mission is to empower students through accessible, world-class engineering education and to prepare them for lifelong learning by fostering and sharing relevant knowledge.
Integrating Industry-Relevant Skills and Practical Training
In a brief conversation with Dr. L. Ganesan, Principal of Ramco Institute of Technology, he shared insights into how the institute integrates industry-relevant skills and practical training into its engineering programs. “In addition to offering traditional B.Tech programs in core engineering fields, RIT is evolving with the demands of the modern world,” he noted, “now providing programs like B.Tech in AI & Data Science, aligned with the IndiaAI Mission.” Dr. Ganesan added that the institute recently established a Robotics Ecosystem through a Centre of Excellence, featuring the Yaskawa Robot (Motoman GP12) as part of an initiative by MeitY.
Dr. Ganesan further explained RIT’s growing focus on emerging fields like cybersecurity, blockchain, lean manufacturing, electric vehicles, cloud computing, IoT, VR, and augmented reality. These areas are being addressed through courses offered both by the affiliating body and through industrial training. “Our goal is to prepare young minds ‘to survive, thrive, and be themselves,’ as outlined in Technology Vision 2035,” he remarked.
The institute has also established several Centers of Excellence—such as Microsoft Power BI, Healthcare Analytics, Autodesk, Building Information Modeling, and Industrial Automation—and industrial-supported centers like Medsby Innovation, TVS Harita, Tessolve Semiconductor Test Engineering, NI-LabVIEW Research, and TYCO Laboratories. These facilities enable students and faculty to upskill and gain hands-on experience. Additionally, the institute practices LEAP (Learn Engineering by Activity with Products), a program developed by former IITians, fostering practical learning.
Strengthening Industry Links
Building a strong connection between academia and industry is crucial for any educational institution. At RIT, this responsibility is managed by the Institute-Industry Interaction Cell, which operates with the vision of enhancing students’ experiences in Academics, Research & Development, Innovation, and Extension Activities. This cell ensures that regular Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are established with leading industries, facilitating joint ventures for organizing conferences, workshops, value-added courses, and more.
Through these collaborations, students gain access to paid internships and potential employment opportunities. The partnerships also extend to providing solutions to industrial challenges, offering consultancy, and assisting in curriculum design and development. Additionally, the centres of excellence play a key role in student training. MoUs with academic institutions further support holistic development, such as the collaboration with IITM Pals, which offers training, workshops, and hackathons. The partnership with the Society for the Advancement of Library and Information Science (SALIS) enriches the library by organising guest lectures and seminars, benefiting both parties.
Management’s Approach to Fostering Holistic Student Development
In response to how the management and college contribute to the holistic development of students, the principal Dr. Ganesan shared, “At RIT, students are encouraged to engage in a variety of co-curricular and extracurricular activities at the national level, including Hackathons, TCS Ninja, and the National Qualifier Test (NQT), where they consistently secure top positions.” He added, “They also participate in coding contests, Olympiads, Electric Vehicle Workshops, and zonal and state-level sports competitions, alongside their academic and placement commitments.”
Furthermore, students at RIT are active members of numerous technical associations such as IE, SAE, CSI, IEEE, ISTE, ICI, and ISHRAE, which offer opportunities to participate in multidisciplinary value-added courses and workshops. The institute also promotes student involvement in co-curricular clubs, like the Automation and Robotics Club, and extracurricular clubs such as the Fine Arts and Cultural Club, helping students build both technical and life skills.
Additionally, students develop leadership and teamwork skills by coordinating initiatives such as World Environment Day, National Space Day, Elephant Day, Engineers Day, and other cultural celebrations. Through the NSS and Elite Club, students are involved in extension activities addressing societal needs and collaborate with district administrations to implement programs delegated by state and central governments.
Vision for Future Growth
In the days to come, the institute and management are committed to continuous improvement by investing in infrastructure that supports future technologies, ensuring students are well-prepared for the evolving demands of the industry. As part of its corporate focus, the management is dedicated to introducing cutting-edge technologies to students and actively generating funds through startup ecosystems, private partnerships, CSR funds, industrial consultancy, and research projects.
Encouraging multidisciplinary projects involving students and faculty from various disciplines, the institute aims to foster product development throughout students’ academic journeys.
As RIT progresses toward gaining autonomous status, its future focus will be on achieving international recognition for its curriculum, incorporating CDIO principles and project-based learning. The introduction of integrated courses is also planned for the coming years.
