GetMyUni's Verdict on VIIT Pune

Parvathy Krishnakumar

“Though students have mixed feelings about VIIT Pune, it is generally regarded as one of the top Engineering colleges in the city for its academic excellence and fruitful career opportunities.” 

Considered to be one of the top institutes in the city, Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology Pune is a leading engineering college ranked among the topmost institutes in the country. It is popularly known for its technical-oriented events and fests, and successful placement opportunities available to its students. It is one of the best institutes in the city that has produced a large number of successful graduates in the Information Technology field of engineering.

As per the students' reviews on online platforms, the institute's primary goal is to create a conducive environment for its students to become skilled and competent professionals, with a strong focus on offering excellent technical education and research opportunities. However, its exorbitant course fee structure makes it difficult for students from diverse backgrounds to get admission and pursue their desired courses. 

Since its inception, the institute has gained recognition in the industry and collaborated with national and international institutions to offer students the opportunity to create successful careers. The institute has witnessed impressive placement rates, with the majority of the students receiving good offers from reputed companies and organisations.

Table of Contents

• Well-Rounded Programs
• Cooperative Faculty Members
• Small Yet Well-Facilitated Infrastructure
• Various Housing Facilities
• Highly Engaging Campus Life
• Decent Placements
• Final Verdict on VIIT Pune

Well-Rounded Programs

One of the major factors that helps the institute stand out among its competitors is its project-oriented approach, which ensures students are provided with ample practical experience along with relevant theoretical knowledge. The courses at the institute are well-structured and regularly revised to include advanced concepts to match industrial requirements. The course curriculum covers in-demand topics that ensure students are well-equipped to excel in the professional arena. 

The institute offers traditional and niche courses in the field of Engineering at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It also provides doctoral degree programs in some of the branches. As mentioned earlier, all students have ample facilities and opportunities to perform cutting-edge research in their desired fields.

While it has multiple branches across different disciplines, B.Tech in Computer Engineering is considered to be its flagship course. The top-ranked and distinct departments at the institute in terms of academic excellence and successful placement records are as follows.

• Computer Engineering
• Information Technology
• Electronics and Communication Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.

The institute organises regular seminars, workshops, and guest lectures through its industry collaborations. Though the quality of education varies from one department to another, students are assured to gain valuable knowledge and polish their creative and critical thinking skills. It also has an interactive learning environment where students are encouraged to indulge in group discussions, work on research projects, and venture into their innovations.

In addition to conducting different academic activities and events, the institute is also popular for providing students with ample internship opportunities, which helps them gain hands-on learning experience. It also enhances their job prospects.

Exorbitant Course Fees

A major aspect that refrains students from getting an education at the institute is its high course fees, which may not be affordable to all students. Though tuition fee waivers and exemptions are made for those students who belong to underrepresented groups, they are still higher than those of the public institutions in the country. The annual course fees include tuition fees, development fees, eligibility fees, exam fees, and miscellaneous university fees.

The tuition fees in the first year of B.Tech are INR 1,84,610 for Open-category students and INR 1,07,219 for OBC/ EBC/ EWS students. Students from TFWS/ NT/ SBC/ SC/ ST categories are exempted from tuition fees. However, they are required to pay the other fees. Thus, the annual course fees for B.Tech courses range from INR 6610 to INR 1,58,110 based on the student category. 

Nevertheless, students at the institute are eligible for various scholarships sponsored by the central and state governments, as well as multiple private organisations, which are provided based on the merit and financial status of the students. These scholarships assist the students in managing their financial challenges in acquiring quality education.

Attendance Policy

The institute is known for its strict attendance policy which mandates students to maintain a minimum attendance of 75% across all theoretical and practical sessions in each subject to be eligible to appear in the end-semester examination.

Cooperative Faculty Members

The professors at the institute are highly qualified, knowledgeable, and experienced in their respective fields. Students have high regard for their professors, especially for being readily available to clarify doubts and guide them with their higher education aspirations.

The professors are also known to employ modern teaching methods, such as presentations and case studies, which make their classes more interactive and engaging. Even then, each professor has their own teaching technique, which makes the courses more exciting.

As previously mentioned, the course curriculum is specially designed to include more practical and project-based learning. Hence, experienced professors nurture their students by giving them real-world applications and examples. They are up-to-date with the latest developments in the fields, which makes it easy for them to provide students with relevant information and skills.

Though there have been allegations that some professors show partiality and favouritism towards a few students, the general consensus is that the professors are the academic pillars of the institute that help it maintain its excellent educational status among the top institutes in the country.

Small Yet Well-Facilitated Infrastructure

Spread across around 8 acres of land, the institute has a comparatively smaller campus infrastructure, but it has all the necessary facilities and amenities that provide students with a well-rounded college experience. Though there have been issues regarding the lack of some facilities in the past, the institute's infrastructure has seen several improvements over the years. Students are generally satisfied with the available facilities in the institute that are sufficient for their academic endeavours. 

The classrooms are well-maintained and equipped with audio-visual aids, such as projectors and whiteboards, which are beneficial for interactive learning. However, the classrooms are said to be small and can get overcrowded for the popular programs. The general design of the classrooms is old-fashioned and may not be as impressive for all the students.

The institute has well-equipped laboratories for all its branches with state-of-the-art facilities and modern technology, which enhances the students' practical learning experience. Similar to the classrooms, the lack of space in the laboratories is pointed out by some students. Additionally, the facilities in some departmental laboratories are said to be outdated and require replacement.

Students highly appreciate the central library at the institute, which houses a vast collection of books, theses, research papers, journals, and other reference materials. As per the students, the library has numerous books for each branch. Yet, some students have mentioned that the library has multiple outdated books, which restrict them from having access to modern topics.

However, the library also has a rich collection of electronic resources, such as e-books, e-journals, and online databases, which can be accessed through computer systems. The issue of overcrowding and lack of space is also prevalent in the library.

 As the institute's campus is smaller than the majority of the private institutions in the country, it falls behind in terms of its sports facilities. Although there are multiple indoor sports facilities, such as table tennis tables, badminton courts, etc., there are limited options for outdoor sports. 

The institute has a central canteen on its campus which offers different types of food and beverages at affordable prices. According to students’ reviews on online platforms, the quality of food available at the canteen is below average but the presence of private food stalls on campus compensates for this issue. Students are satisfied with the hygiene and food quality of these canteens, though there have been some concerns regarding the lack of variety in the food items and limited seating space.

Apart from the facilities mentioned above, the institute also has an auditorium and an amphitheatre for student activities and events. In short, the institute has a decent infrastructure with adequate facilities and amenities. The lack of certain facilities or space in general may be an issue for those students who wish to be part of larger institutions. 

Various Housing Facilities

The institute has separate hostels for boys and girls located within the campus. The hostel facilities are generally considered to be good, with sufficient facilities and amenities. There are different types of room occupancy available, such as single, double, and triple occupancy rooms.

The rooms are well-maintained and consist of basic amenities, such as beds, tables, chairs and wardrobe. Additional facilities, such as laundry services, internet connection, recreational facilities, sports facilities, etc., are also available.

The hostel premises are generally well-kept by the housekeeping staff. Though there were a few hiccups in the beginning in terms of cleanliness and availability of some facilities, the institute has managed to rectify such problems. 

The safety and security of students at the hostels are assured by the 24-hour security personnel placed at all the gates and CCTV cameras in all corners. The institute also has set rules and regulations regarding the curfew timings, guest visitors, etc. Both the hostels have separate wardens who are available to resolve any concerns students may have. 

Timely meals are served through the mess facilities in a clean and hygienic dining space. Though the menu is repetitive, the food items served in the hostels are known for their quality and variety.

According to the latest fee structure, the annual fees for the hostel facilities, including the rent and mess charges, is INR 1,00,000. The fees also include a refundable security deposit of INR 5000, which will be refunded at the end of the stay.

Although the institute provides on-campus accommodation, most students prefer to stay outside the institute campus, in PGs and private apartments located within the institute's premises. The limited capacity of the hostels also drives students to choose off-campus housing. Due to this high demand, there are a multitude of PGs and apartments available near the institute for a diverse price range. 

Typically, the apartment rents fall between INR 6000 and INR 35,000 depending on the size of the apartment, number of rooms, and luxuries available. On the other hand, PGs with monthly rents between INR 3000 and INR 10,000 are also available.

Highly Engaging Campus Life

Aspiring students who are planning to join the institute are advised to prepare to manage their time effectively to find a fine balance between academics and extracurricular activities, as the institute is renowned for its extremely vibrant and enriching campus life filled with a variety of co-curricular activities and annual events. The institute has numerous student societies, clubs, and associations that align with the different interests of its students.

The institute organises various academic events, such as seminars, workshops, guest lectures, etc., which help students gain insights into the different aspects of their fields and learn more about the career prospects of their courses.

The multiple clubs in the institute allow students to pursue their interests and talents alongside their academic programs. These clubs range from cultural and literary activities to technical and sports activities, such as programming, photography, drama, music, dance, personality development, etc. 

The clubs are a primary source of interaction between students from different disciplines. By being active members of the clubs, students not only get the chance to follow their passion but also develop leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills. 

Regarding the annual events, the institute has three primary festivals: inter-departmental, inter-college, and annual cultural. Students can participate in different competitions and activities during these events. They are given the platform to showcase their talents in co-curricular activities. 

Such events are also one of the major times during the academic year when students have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and create long-lasting memories with their peers. Although there are limited sports facilities, the institute also encourages students to participate in inter-college sports tournaments and competitions.

The institute is also famous for celebrating multi-cultural festivals, which instill a sense of togetherness among the students from different parts of the country. They also get exposure to the diverse cultures and traditions of each region.

Diversity on Campus

The student body at the institute is comprised of students from various parts of the country. As the international collaborative programs are active at the institute, there is a significant representation of international students as well. It also has a good gender ratio with an overall balanced number of students from different genders. However, the high course fees limit a good representation of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Dress Code

The institute has a defined uniform that the students must wear on specific days of the week. On the other days, students are free to dress according to their choice, as there is no specific dress code. However, they are expected to wear clothes that are appropriate for the academic setting. Also, they must follow the dress code as directed by their department for academic events and special occasions.

Decent Placements

According to the past year's records, the institute has witnessed a decent placement rate, with prestigious companies revisiting the drives held on campus. Specific branches, namely Computer Science Engineering, Information Technology, and Electronics and Communication Engineering have consistently achieved high placement rates with impressive salary packages. 

The institute has a dedicated placement cell that provides students with the necessary resources and guidance in building their resumes and training them for placement interviews. The institute also has a strong alumni network that provides valuable insights for fresh graduates. 

Based on the previous year's statistics, the overall placement rate was 76.21%, with more than 180 companies visiting the institute for the placement drive. A maximum number of students placed were from the Computer Engineering branch, followed by the other branches. The highest salary package offered to the students was INR 41 LPA, and the average package was INR 11.33 LPA. The statistics reassure us that the institute provides successful career opportunities to its students.

Final Verdict on VIIT Pune

Though it has its drawbacks in some areas, Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology (VIIT) Pune remains one of the top institutes in the city for Engineering courses. It is safe to say that students are assured of having a wholesome campus experience with ample opportunities in academics and extracurricular activities. It is also one of the ideal institutes in the country for those who intend to pursue higher studies in international institutes. 

However, the course fee structure, overcrowdedness, and inconsistencies in academics and placement opportunities may make the students second-guess themselves. Nevertheless, it is a good option for those who are planning to pursue a career in Computer Science Engineering, Electronics and Communication, and other related fields. 

Furthermore, it is recommended that aspirants connect with the past and present students of the institute to know more details about their desired courses. Some of the pros and cons of VIIT Pune are listed below.

*Source: Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology Facebook