Leaf through the souvenir issued by the College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram (CET), to the alumni who attended its 70th anniversary celebrations four years ago. You will find an excerpt from M. Mangalabhanu, a student of the first batch of the college, which started functioning in 1938, describing those tense moments in the college during the Second World War, which threatened to infiltrate the Indian subcontinent.
“The threat of Japanese air attack on the mainland of India was looming large during our third year in the alma mater. The Principal (Professor T.H. Mathewman) ordered that the students shall dig their own trenches (either to bury themselves or to escape in case of a raid). These were to be made in the shady areas in the shape of an elongated ‘W’…Pickaxes, shovels, mammaty forks and baskets were galore from the University Students Labour Corps of which Principal Sri. Mathewman was the head,” he writes.
The batch had nine students. The college was then functioning in the present office of the Chief Postmaster General, Kerala.
Delving into the history of the college, approaching its 75th anniversary, reveals such striking recollections and significant milestones. Every vivid memory of the college, often hailed as one of the best technical institutions in the State, dwells on the friendships and the atmosphere that linger among the students who passed out decades ago. The college has grown into an institution that has departments of studies in nine disciplines: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Communication, Computer Science, Architecture, Computer Applications, Business Administration and Physical Education. It has 3,500 students and 300 teaching staff.
The institution organises seminars to expose students to the best technical expertise. In addition to the standard set of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the campus has the Centre for Engineering Research and Development (CERD) to build a culture that priorities science research. The institution has kept in tune with technological developments. A computer-aided drafting facility was started in the Department of Architecture as early as 1990. The Continuing Centre for Education was started in 1998.
Over the past few decades, the college has taken the initiative to launch various activities such as the Entrepreneurship Club and the Industry Institution Interaction Cell. It has an active National Service Scheme unit and an environmental club, which conducts regular nature conservation activities.
They have conducted surveys of the birds and butterflies on the campus and compiled their findings into books. There is a plant nursery that is maintained near the Civil Engineering wing.
