The best Govt. college in Kerala

CET is the best government college any inspirant could get in Kerala in terms of academics, college life, expenses and reputation. The only bad remark is the inequality in terms of hostel curfew for boys and girls. Earlier ladies hostel curfew time was 6. 30. But now it has been extended to 9. 30 as a result of students protests.

The college is affiliated to Kerala University and follows semester system. The syllabus covers all the subjects required for professional practice over the course of five years. We have two semesters of internship in architecture firms to gain practical knowledge. The college conducts several workshops, lectures and site visits which help improve our knowledge. The student organisation here is also very active in conducting programmes which benefit our academics and personal improvement. The architecture department of our college actively participates in the NASA conventions also.

The engineering departments in our college have excellent placement opportunities. Very reputed companies visit the campus every year and recruit the students. But in our course (architecture), it is different. We do not have campus placement in general. Here we prepare our porrfolio of the projects we have done and apply to firms individually for internship as well as job. We were able to get into good firms because of the reputation of the college as well as the quality of our projects. We had to undergo two semesters of internship in practicing firms, each for a period of 120 days as part of the currciculum.

Our college holds several technical and cultural festivals in big pomp and show. There will be participation from other colleges as well. The events include CETEX (technical fest that happens once in five years), Dhristi, Dhwani(annual cultural fest for 3 days) Disha(culutural fest for freshers), Sargam, Department nights etc.

The fee structure is very feasible as it is a government college. The fees is very less considering the quality of education and when compared to other private colleges providing the same. The payment mode is mannual and the fees is split into two semesters. Admission is purely based on merit and quotas. Hence no other fees is applicable. The fee breakdown is very transparent.

I did not avail any scholarship as the college offered scholarships for low income groups and backward classes.

We have good balance in gender ratio. Both girls and boys actively participate in the events conducted in college as well as elections and political parties. There are many student organisations in the fields of politics, movies, literature, music, robotics, fashion, dance, photography. All interested students participate irrespective of gender, religion, economic status etc.

For the first 2 years I stayed in private hostels as there is very limited admission to college hostel. The private hostels here charge around 5000-6000 per month including rent, food, electricity and water charges. While the college hostel fees is very less and it has got all the necessary infrastructure. A room is shared by 4 people. The facilities include computer lab, wifi, fitness room, reading room, security, mess, stationery, entertainment room etc.

We have a veey active alumni group in college. The seniors often visit college and conduct sessions that impart knowledge. Within the department, there is good interaction between various batches and hence the seniors are very helpful in imparting knowledge to the juniors.

When I opted architecture, College of Engineering Trivandrum (CET) was my first choice among the government colleges in Kerala. It was in CET that formal architecture education began in Kerala 56 years ago. This prestigious institution has noted alumni who have shown excellence in the field of architecture in Kerala. Here admission is based on merit mainly and there are some quotas for sports and students from Andaman and Nicobar islands and North eastern states. I applied through the single window system of application in Kerala giving CET as the first choice among the three colleges I could opt for. I got allotment in CET in the first round itself as I had good rank(12th rank statewise). After the allotment, I had to go to the college for the admission procedures. After a month there was orientation senssions and the classes began.

Our department has around 20-25 teachers which include very senior lecturers as wells as few fresh graduates. Some of the subjects are taught by teachers from civil and mechanic engineering departments from our college. The faculty are noted for their excellence in academics and profession. The senior lecturers have played a crucial role in shaping the academic curriculum in Kerala. They have good clarity in their subjects.