Punjab Engineering College (PEC)

Punjab Engineering College (PEC), established in 1921 during the British colonial era, stands as one of India's oldest and most prestigious government engineering institutions, celebrating over 100 years of engineering education excellence, innovation, and contribution to nation-building through production of highly skilled technical professionals who have made significant impacts in diverse engineering domains globally.

Originally founded as Mugalpura Engineering College at Lahore (now in Pakistan) and shifted to Chandigarh in 1947 following India's partition, PEC became a constituent college of Panjab University and was subsequently declared a 'Deemed-to-be-University' in 2003 by University Grants Commission (UGC), granting it enhanced academic autonomy, curriculum flexibility, and institutional independence while maintaining its legacy of engineering education excellence.

Located in Sector 12, Chandigarh, India's first planned city designed by Le Corbusier, the college campus extends across 150 acres featuring a harmonious blend of heritage colonial-era buildings reflecting historic architectural significance and modern state-of-the-art facilities equipped with cutting-edge technology, creating an inspiring environment for engineering education, research, and innovation.

PEC offers comprehensive undergraduate B.Tech programs in 10 engineering disciplines including Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Production and Industrial Engineering, Information Technology, and Emerging Technologies, along with M.Tech programs in 25+ specializations, MBA programs, and Ph.D.

research programs across various engineering and technology domains, catering to approximately 3,500 students through rigorous academic curricula aligned with industry requirements and global standards. The institute holds accreditation from National Board of Accreditation (NBA) for all B.Tech programs, NAAC 'A' grade institutional accreditation, and maintains autonomous status allowing curriculum innovation, flexible examination systems, and outcome-based education implementation focused on developing employability skills, research aptitude, innovation capabilities, and entrepreneurial mindset among engineering graduates.

The distinguished faculty comprises 200+ highly qualified professors, associate professors, and assistant professors, with over 85% holding Ph.D. degrees from premier institutions including IITs, IISc, BITS Pilani, NIT system, and international universities in USA, UK, Germany, and other countries, actively engaged in cutting-edge research projects funded by prestigious agencies like Department of Science and Technology (DST), Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and various industry partners, publishing research in high-impact international journals, securing patents, and contributing to technological advancement.

Research and innovation ecosystem at PEC encompasses 15+ specialized research centers and laboratories including Centers of Excellence in Robotics and Automation, Renewable Energy, Advanced Materials, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cyber Security, Internet of Things (IoT), Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Nanotechnology, equipped with sophisticated instruments worth several crores, fostering interdisciplinary research collaborations, sponsored projects worth INR 50+ crores, over 300 research publications annually, 50+ patents filed/granted, and numerous technology transfers to industry partners demonstrating tangible societal impact.

The Training and Placement Cell maintains robust industry partnerships with over 250 leading companies including Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Adobe, Oracle, Samsung, Qualcomm, Intel, Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, L&T, BHEL, core engineering PSUs, multinational consulting firms, and emerging startups, facilitating comprehensive campus recruitment drives achieving consistent 90%+ placement rates across all engineering branches with average salary packages of INR 8-10 lakhs per annum for B.Tech graduates, INR 12-15 lakhs for M.Tech graduates, and top packages frequently exceeding INR 30-40 lakhs per annum from premium recruiters in software engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, and core engineering domains.

Entrepreneurship development initiatives through the Innovation and Incubation Center supported by DST-NIDHI, Startup India, and industry mentors provide infrastructure, seed funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities to student entrepreneurs, successfully incubating 30+ technology startups in areas like mobile applications, e-commerce platforms, IoT solutions, robotics, renewable energy systems, and engineering consultancy services, with several achieving significant commercial success and creating employment opportunities.

Student life at PEC is vibrant and multifaceted, with 40+ active technical and cultural societies including PEC-ACM Student Chapter, IEEE Student Branch, SAE Collegiate Club, Robotics Society, Coding Club, Entrepreneurship Cell, Music Society, Dance Society, Drama Club, Photography Club, and Adventure Sports Club, organizing numerous events like annual technical festival 'PEC-Fest', cultural extravaganza 'Pecfest', hackathons, coding competitions, robotics competitions, workshops, seminars, guest lectures by industry experts, and cultural performances providing holistic personality development, leadership cultivation, and networking opportunities.

The college maintains excellent sports infrastructure with facilities for cricket, football, hockey, basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, athletics, and gymnasium, regularly producing sportspersons who represent PEC at inter-college, university, state, and national level competitions, with dedicated coaches providing professional training and encouragement to sports enthusiasts alongside their academic pursuits.

National Service Scheme (NSS) and National Cadet Corps (NCC) wings actively engage students in social service activities including blood donation camps, literacy drives, rural development projects, environmental conservation, tree plantation campaigns, disaster relief operations, and community outreach programs, developing social consciousness, civic responsibility, and leadership qualities among future engineers.

The Central Library houses an extensive collection of over 1.5 lakh books, 500+ print and electronic journals, conference proceedings, technical reports, project reports, and digital resources including access to IEEE Xplore, Springer, ASME, ASCE, and other engineering databases, complemented by spacious reading halls, digital library section with 100+ computer terminals, online catalog system, and librarian assistance supporting academic and research needs of students and faculty.

State-of-the-art engineering laboratories across all departments are equipped with modern instruments, equipment, and software including Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software (AutoCAD, CATIA, SolidWorks, ANSYS), programming tools, microprocessor kits, PLC systems, CNC machines, 3D printers, robotics kits, structural testing equipment, material testing machines, environmental testing instruments, and simulation software providing hands-on practical training, experimental learning, project development, and research facilities meeting industry standards.

Student support services include merit-based and need-based scholarships, SC/ST/OBC government scholarships, tuition fee waivers for economically weaker sections, educational loans facilitation, professional counseling services, anti-ragging mechanisms, women's grievance cell, career counseling, placement preparation support, skill development programs, foreign language courses (German, French, Japanese), and personality development workshops ensuring inclusive, supportive, and nurturing campus environment conducive to academic excellence and personal growth.

International collaborations with universities in USA, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Singapore, and other countries facilitate student exchange programs, semester abroad opportunities, joint research projects, dual degree programs, international internships, exposure to global engineering practices, cross-cultural learning experiences, and enhanced international employability for PEC students and faculty members.

The illustrious alumni network of PEC includes distinguished engineers, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, scientists, administrators, and innovators occupying leadership positions in multinational corporations, government organizations, research institutions, and successful entrepreneurial ventures globally, including notable personalities like Satya Nadella (CEO Microsoft), Rajeev Chandrasekhar (Union Minister), and numerous IAS/IES officers, maintaining active engagement through alumni association, mentorship programs, guest lectures, infrastructure contributions, endowment funds, and professional networking support benefiting current students.

Hostel facilities accommodate 2,000+ students in 8 well-maintained hostels (5 for boys, 3 for girls) within campus premises featuring single, double, and triple occupancy rooms with modern amenities, 24/7 security with biometric access control, mess facilities serving nutritious vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals with varied menu, Wi-Fi connectivity in all rooms and common areas, common rooms with television, indoor games facilities, reading rooms, and warden supervision ensuring comfortable, safe residential experience.

Environmental sustainability initiatives include solar power installations generating 500 kW renewable energy, rainwater harvesting systems across campus, waste segregation and recycling programs, paperless administration through digitalization, energy-efficient LED lighting, green building practices in new constructions, tree plantation drives adding 500+ saplings annually, and environmental awareness campaigns involving students and staff in creating eco-friendly campus aligned with sustainable development goals.

Technology integration encompasses comprehensive ERP system for administration, academics, and examinations, online admission portal with transparent merit-based selection, digital examination system with online answer sheet evaluation for select courses, campus-wide high-speed Wi-Fi network covering academic blocks, hostels, and common areas, smart classrooms with interactive boards and multimedia facilities, learning management system enabling e-learning resources and assignment submissions, and biometric attendance system ensuring operational efficiency and enhanced teaching-learning effectiveness.

The vision of Punjab Engineering College focuses on establishing itself as a globally recognized premier engineering institution producing highly competent, innovative, and socially responsible engineering professionals equipped with strong technical knowledge, practical skills, research capabilities, ethical values, and leadership qualities to address complex engineering challenges, contribute to technological advancement, drive industrial growth, and serve societal needs while maintaining the institution's glorious heritage, academic excellence, and commitment to nation-building through quality engineering education and impactful research.