GetMyUni's Verdict on KTU

Parvathy Krishnakumar

“KTU faced initial challenges due to a demanding curriculum and administrative issues. Nevertheless, it is actively working towards enhancing the quality of education.”

Almost all the Engineering colleges, government, private, and self-financed, of Kerala come under the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, formerly known as Kerala Technical University (KTU), which was established in 2015. In the initial years of its existence, students faced several challenges due to its difficult syllabus and strict rules regarding the year-back system.

The strict syllabi curated by the management make it hard for the professors to teach their students in detail, which in turn forces the students to learn word to word-from the textbook and write the answers for the exams as it is. This method of learning is pointless as the students are left with improper theoretical and practical knowledge.

Even though the university has managed to regularise the academic culture for Engineering programs in the state, the evaluation of exam papers is not done properly. Several students who are good at studies have failed in the past even after writing the exams well. They then passed these very exams after re-evaluation. The management is mainly focused on yielding money from the students in the name of re-evaluation and supplementary exam fees.

Table of Contents

• Sole University to Offer Engineering Programs in Kerala
• Professors with Extensive Education and Expertise
• Evolving Educational System
• Providing All Required Facilities
• Standard Hostel Facilities
• Beneficial Centralised Placement Drives
• Vibrant Campus Life
• General Perception of KTU

Sole University to Offer Engineering Programs in Kerala

As mentioned earlier, all the Engineering and Technology courses offered by the government, private and self-financed colleges in the state are managed by KTU, right from the selection of students to granting the degree certificates. Therefore, the university provides almost all specialisations in the Engineering branch at the undergraduate and postgraduate degree levels. Although the academic curriculum has been difficult in the past, it has evolved over the years. 

Admission to the Engineering programs is based on the ranks of students in the state-level entrance examination. Students are admitted to different courses based on their rank in this examination.

Professors with Extensive Education and Expertise

As the university consolidated the Engineering colleges that were established decades ago, the professors at the university are highly educated and experienced in the field. Specifically, the faculty members in the government colleges are among the best the state has to offer. Most of these professors are PhD holders from the top universities across the country.

Since there are several private colleges under the university, the overall quality of the faculty members is mixed. However, the majority of these professors have dedicated their lives to imparting education of superior standards.

Due to the demanding nature of the curriculum and syllabus set by the university, the professors find it difficult to teach the concepts in detail, and the limited time makes them rush through the portions. Nonetheless, the senior teachers are experts in their subjects and help students cope with their teaching. 

Evolving Educational System

Though the students of the university had a hard time adjusting at the beginning of its establishment, the integration of the technical education system has only benefited the students as it is more regularised now. All students graduating from Engineering colleges in Kerala follow the same curriculum. 

The major issue that the students have about the university is their strict marking system, which causes many of them to fail in exams even after writing well. This is also the result of the money-making mindset of the management. Students have to acquire a certain credit every year, and failing to do so will result in losing a year because of the year-back system as well.

In case of backlogs, students have had to wait for a long time to get their results after graduation. It takes time to receive the re-evaluated marks as well. This hinders their chances of pursuing higher education or getting employed.

Conversely, the university has refined its curriculum over the years, which has made it easy for recent graduates to manage their studies better than before. In any case, KTU is aiming and working towards changing the Technical education scenario in the state for the better. 

Providing All Required Facilities

Given that it is a centralised university, KTU ensures all colleges that are affiliated with it have the necessary infrastructure to ensure the students have a wholesome educational experience. The colleges include essential facilities like extensive libraries, well-equipped laboratories, affordable hostels and other amenities.

The university has taken special care in making sure that the students have access to the advanced technology and development facilities in the colleges to nourish their technical knowledge. Yet, the infrastructure varies from college to college. Some colleges are very well developed, and others are still in the process of development.

Standard Hostel Facilities

KTU hostel facilities are on a first-come, first-serve basis. The hostel administrators provide basic amenities to the students, just enough for a comfortable stay. The hostel hosts a library inside its premises. The hostel mess provides an average food option.

However, basic hygiene is maintained. The student accommodation has well-rounded security, and students feel safe and secure to live. Several paying guest options are available in the vicinity of the college. They provide good living options at reasonable prices.

Beneficial Centralised Placement Drives

Earlier, the reputed companies only participated in selective colleges for placement drives, which obstructed the chances of students from less popular colleges to get employment. Since its inception, the university has taken the initiative to change the placement scenario by streamlining the drives to regions. 

Now, students can apply on the official website of the university to participate in the placement drives conducted region-wise, which provides the opportunity for all students to participate in the drive and get hired by top companies.

As the state has always had a high reputation for its education, prestigious national and international companies are eager to hire Engineering graduates from KTU.

Vibrant Campus Life

Even though the student life at the KTU campus cannot be said to be eventful, it is fairly enjoyable. Several student-led clubs ensure that the students participate in various activities to build skills and engage with their peers. The college also hosts events and festivals where various other colleges participate.

KTU does not have a strict dress code or uniform system. Although, there are a few rules and regulations that the students are expected to follow while on campus. As mentioned earlier, the administrators are rigid and stringent on allotting marks to the students. This has and still impacts student life. 

Being a government college, KTU draws students from various walks of life from across the state. Thereby, fair diversity is maintained in the college. This helps in cross-cultural exchange for the students to learn from their peers and broaden the horizon of their overall personality.

The university has a fair sports facility comprising both indoor and outdoor sports facilities. Regular events are also held to keep the students engaged on the sports front. 

General Perception of KTU

Even though the students and professors faced a lot of challenges in the initial stages of the formation of KTU, the overall system has changed in the last few years. The university has considered the suggestions of the previous years’ graduates and brought in several changes for the good, such as revising the syllabi, fastening the administrative process, and so on.

Students who have graduated from the university in recent years have received their results and degree certificates within the stipulated time. Overall, the university is still a work in progress, considering the fact that it has only been less than a decade since its establishment. 

*Source: keralatechnologicaluniversity Instagram