GetMyUni's Verdict on College of Technology GBPUAT

Pratiki Patra

“College of Technology has its own fair share of drawbacks and benefits. It has attracted criticism from the students regarding the teaching methods employed. Yet, it remains one of the state's top choices for Engineering studies.”

College of Technology, GBPUAT, located in Pantnagar, is the most well-known technology institution in the state of Uttarakhand. It is also the oldest college dedicated to excelling in Engineering studies. Being old has its own benefits and losses. While the number of students appreciating the college outweighs the students somewhat dissatisfied with the college, COT remains one of the top choices for students.

Upon glancing at the organic students’ reviews on various online platforms, it is evident that students have had a mixed experience while at college. Many have a career-transforming experience leading them to a glorious career, while for others, the expectations fell short.

For many students, the College of Technology, Pantnagar, would not be a natural choice owing to its location alone. It is situated in a relatively remote hamlet without the touch of modern facilities or services. The only source of entertainment one can find is inside the college campus. The outside is devoid of any such source. But for many, this serves as an ideal ground to kick start their academic journey with a peaceful and serene environment. 

Over the years, other reputed institutions have been established. These institutions are known to offer newer approaches to teaching styles. In this regard, the College of Technology, Pantnagar, remains grounded on the traditional approach. This acts both in favour and against the students.

A closer look at the crowd reveals the potential of the students. Being a top-tier institute, only the state’s brightest students are admitted to the college. However, the college seems to regularly step upon stumbling blocks in utilising the full potential of the students.

Table of Contents

• Top-Grade Academics
• Traditional Teaching Methods
• Sufficient Infrastructure
• Average Hostel Facilities
• Good Placement Record
• Exciting Campus Life
• Is College of Technology GBPUAT Worth it?

Top-Grade Academics

College of Technology, Pantnagar, offers mostly Engineering and Technology courses. It is also the most popular course. Apart from this, MBA and B.Sc are also offered. These subjects or courses are offered at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. The course curriculum is well-defined and has the latest input from the fields. The syllabi are reviewed and revised as necessary. While the course structure is meticulously designed for all the courses, the college focuses more on the traditional method of teaching. 

Admission to COT is challenging. It is strictly based on the marks obtained in the entrance exam. Furthermore, there is a high cut-off set for the same. Since it is a premier government college, students are eager to gain admission. The semester exams are equally difficult. Students have to put in the rigour to pass the exams. As part of the course curriculum, various industrial visits are planned. Along with it, practical lessons are equally given, focusing on bridging the gap between theoretical and industrial knowledge.

Moderately Expensive Course Fees

Engineering or Technology-based courses are generally expensive due to their professional nature and a considerable amount of practical or laboratory-based work involved. Considering this, the cost of courses at the College of Technology is relatively lower than that of private and other premier institutes in the country. On average, students must spend INR 1,30,000 to INR 2,40,000 to complete their B.Tech degree.

For M.Tech, students must pay approximately INR 81,000, and for MBA, the cost of studies is around INR 41,400 to INR 3,00,000. Students can also apply for various scholarships granted on the basis of merit and socio-economic conditions.

Traditional Teaching Methods

While undeniably, the course content is top-notch, the same cannot be reiterated for the teaching methods. The professors mostly stick to traditional teaching methods. As per the students’ views on online forums, the lectures are devoid of case studies that can pique the interest of students in the class.

Moreover, such studies also foster an interactive learning environment that ensures a healthy flow of idea exchange as well. Students have also noted that this exposes them to a significant knowledge gap between theoretical and practical or industrial applications in terms of current developments. 

While such teaching pedagogy is concerning, there is another side to the same, which brings in a positive effect. As the core focus remains traditional, the professors explain each of the topics in the subject in depth. They take a deep dive into the topic so that no theoretical knowledge is left behind. Hence, it builds a strong foundation for the students' understanding of the subject.

This is especially helpful for those whose aim is to crack government recruiting exams such as UPSC, IES, etc. Furthermore, in the long run of the career, such a detailed understanding comes into use very much.

The faculty members, in general, are highly qualified and supportive towards the students. They immediately help the students in resolving their doubts and bring clarity. The students are also comfortable approaching the professors with any queries. Many of the faculty members are actively involved in the industry. Thereby, their knowledge also percolates in their teaching.

Sufficient Infrastructure

Like many aspects of the College of Technology, its infrastructure facilities have also received mixed feelings from the students. But mostly, the students are satisfied with what is being offered. The campus is situated in a quiet hamlet devoid of any commotion of city life. This lends a peaceful environment of study. The classrooms are commodious and equipped with the latest technologies.

The laboratories are adequately equipped and hold a good proportion of instruments. The central library is equally good. It holds a huge number of books, journals, periodicals, research papers, etc. Students make good use of the library and the reading room. 

The sports facilities are equally well-developed and consist of various sporting facilities such as volleyball, basketball, etc. The sports complex is well-maintained. Apart from this, various other vital facilities are also available, such as medical facilities, auditoriums, gymnasiums, etc. The cafeteria inside the campus serves a delicious variety of food. The options available are good as well.

There is a tight presence of security inside the campus and along the perimeter of the campus. No unauthorised or unwarranted activities have been reported so far. Everyone inside the campus feels safe and secure.

Average Hostel Facilities

College of Technology, Pantnagar, offers accommodation facilities for boys and girls. The hostel rooms are available on a sharing basis and include amenities like tables, chairs, mattresses, beds, etc. The rooms are kept clean and hygienic, including the bathroom. Although, improvements can be made as per the students. There are no strict rules or regulations, except some basic rules to maintain the order that needs to be followed by the students.

Hostel life is comfortable at COT. The mess facility in the hostel is notable for providing timely, delicious meals. There is an electricity problem in the hostel that the students have to deal with sometimes. The majority of the students take hostel facilities as no nearby paying guest options are available. The hostel charges are also nominal at INR 20,000.

Good Placement Record

College of Technology, Pantnagar, holds a good reputation for its placement record. There is a dedicated placement cell that looks into the placement matters. It also organises various skill-based training sessions. These sessions help the students build on their existing skills or develop new skill sets, potentially increasing their chances of selection in the recruitment process.

Renowned recruiters are seen each year visiting the campus to hire pupils. Many of them offer handsome compensation packages. According to the students, the highest salary package offered can go up to INR 8-10 LPA. The median package offered ranges between INR 4,44,000 - 6,00,000 LPA.

Exciting Campus Life

COT offers a campus life mixed with serenity and excitement. From time to time, cultural, social, and sports events are celebrated. There is a decent balance of male to female students. There is also a fair amount of diversity that can be observed among the students. Although there are fewer students from other states of the country, students from various communities in Uttarakhand can be seen.

The cultural fest is one of the most awaited events and has a large number of participants. Students are also eager to participate in various sporting events and are always encouraged to do the same. The College of Technology has a culture where the management highly supports students in preparing for the Civil Services Examination. It is one of the toughest exams in the country and requires significant dedication and rigour to crack it. It also offers one of the most prestigious jobs in the country.

Students have often expressed that they do not receive any significant help in many aspects from management. The reputation that the college enjoys is solely built on the hard work and dedication of the students. Had they been offered more support, the college would have performed better than it is doing currently. 

While the inside-campus students enjoy it thoroughly, they cannot enjoy it the same outside. The college is located in an isolated location where nothing can be found for miles. This makes the students travel long distances in order to enjoy simple city life, like enjoying a meal at a restaurant or hanging out at a popular joint. That also means that to buy daily necessities, students have to make proper arrangements to travel long distances.

Rules and Dress Code

COT, although not very prominent in rules and regulations, has few mandatory strict rules in place to keep a check on the student’s activities. Students are to maintain an 85% attendance record, or they attract disciplinary actions. There are no particular dress codes or uniform requirements that the students need to follow. However, they are expected to dress modestly.

Is College of Technology GBPUAT Worth it?

College of Technology, Pantnagar, no doubt, provides a wholesome campus life with a holistic approach towards the courses. Top students from the state who are admitted keep the healthy competition among the students going. The course curriculum, teachers and current topics make for a good educational experience. Moreover, the calm and peaceful atmosphere adds to the favour of the students. Infrastructure-wise, it provides a decent number of reliable facilities.

While the above-mentioned points are true, there are a few drawbacks that need to be considered as well. Starting with traditional methods of teaching. This acts as both a boon and a curse to the students. Similarly, although placement records are good, they surely can be improved. It is more important to understand the students’ actual goals or expectations from the institute before choosing anyone.

If one’s expectation is to understand the subject in depth with no stone left unturned, coupled with a holistic campus experience, then the College of Technology is a good choice. However, they should also compare other colleges before decoding the final one.

Without further ado, here is a look at the pros and cons of the College of Technology: