Punjab Engineering College (abbreviated PEC or PEC Chandigarh) is a public research & technical institution in
Chandigarh
Chandigarh () is a planned city in India. Chandigarh is bordered by the state of Punjab to the west and the south, and by the state of Haryana to the east. It constitutes the bulk of the Chandigarh Capital Region or Greater Chandigarh, which ...
. It was founded in 1921 in Lahore, established in Chandigarh in 1953, and focuses on the field of applied sciences, particularly engineering and technology. It is known for its two-year and four-year programmes for which the entry is through the
Joint Entrance Examination – Main
Joint Entrance Examination – Main (JEE-Main), formerly All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE), is an Indian standardised computer-based test for admission to various technical undergraduate programs in engineering, architecture, ...
s and
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an examination conducted in India that primarily tests the comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in engineering and science for admission into the Masters Program and ...
. It offers degrees such as
Bachelor of Technology
A Bachelor of Technology (Latin ''Baccalaureus Technologiae'', commonly abbreviated as B.Tech. or BTech; with honours as B.Tech. (Hons.)) is an undergraduate academic degree conferred after the completion of a three to five-year program of stu ...
,
Master of Technology
A Master of Engineering (abbreviated MEng, M.E. or M.Eng.) is either an academic or professional master's degree in the field of engineering.
International variations
Australia
In Australia, the Master of Engineering degree is a research de ...
, and a few others. It also has a comprehensive graduate program offering
doctoral degrees
A doctorate (from Latin ''docere'', "to teach"), doctor's degree (from Latin ''doctor'', "teacher"), or doctoral degree is an academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism '' ...
in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
History

PEC was established in 1921 in Mughalpura, a suburb of Lahore, Punjab, erstwhile British India as the Mughalpura Technical College. In 1923, the name was changed to Maclagan Engineering College to honour
Sir Edward Maclagan, the then Governor of Punjab, who laid the foundation stone of the building. In 1939, the name was again changed to
Punjab College of Engineering and Technology.
In 1932 the institution became affiliated with the University of Punjab for awarding a bachelor's degree in engineering. After
partition in 1947, the college was relocated to
Roorkee
Roorkee (Rūṛkī) is a city and a municipal corporation in the Haridwar district of the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is from Haridwar city, the district headquarter. It is spread over a flat terrain under Sivalik Hills of Himalayas. The ...
in India and was renamed East Punjab College of Engineering. In the year 1950, the word East was dropped. Towards the end of December 1953, the college shifted to its present campus in
Chandigarh
Chandigarh () is a planned city in India. Chandigarh is bordered by the state of Punjab to the west and the south, and by the state of Haryana to the east. It constitutes the bulk of the Chandigarh Capital Region or Greater Chandigarh, which ...
as an affiliated campus of
Panjab University
Panjab University (PU) is a collegiate public state university located in Chandigarh, Punjab. Funded through both State and Union governments, it is considered a state university. It traces its origins to the University of the Punjab in Laho ...
. In 1966, with the formation of the Union Territory of Chandigarh, the college came under the control of the Government of India through the Chandigarh Administration. In October 2003, the Government of India recognized the college as a Deemed University and thereafter it became known as Punjab Engineering College (Deemed University). In 2009, the Board of Governors renamed the institution PEC University of Technology.
However, as per a recent notification released by the
University Grants Commission (India)
University Grants Commission (UGC) is a statutory body set up by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education,
Government of India in accordance to the UGC Act 1956 and is charged with coordination, determination and maintenance ...
, the institution has been ordered to drop the word "University" from its name. The institute has reverted to its former name Punjab Engineering College (Deemed-to-be-University).
In 1994 this institution was adjudged the best technical college in India by the National Foundation of Engineers. It occupies an area of 146 acres. Up to 1962, the college consisted of three departments of Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Thereafter the college expanded and offers Bachelor of Engineering degrees in various specializations.
Highway Engineering was the first post-graduate course offered by the college, commencing in 1957. Presently there are twelve post-graduate courses leading to a Master of Engineering degree. Facilities for post-graduate studies exist for regular as well as for part-time students. The college has facilities for research work leading to the award of the PhD degree in engineering in certain selected fields of different disciplines. The college also offers consultancy services in different disciplines.
Academics
Academic programmes
Institute offers Bachelor of Technology (previously Bachelor of Engineering) in :
*
Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace engineering is the primary field of engineering concerned with the development of aircraft and spacecraft. It has two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. Avionics engineering is s ...
*
Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewa ...
*
Computer Science and Engineering
Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) is an academic program at many universities which comprises scientific and engineering aspects of computing. CSE is also a term often used in Europe to translate the name of engineering informatics academic p ...
,
*
Electrical Engineering
*
Electronics and Communication Engineering
Electronics engineering is a sub-discipline of electrical engineering which emerged in the early 20th century and is distinguished by the additional use of active components such as semiconductor devices to amplify and control electric current ...
*
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is the study of physical machines that may involve force and movement. It is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics and mathematics principles with materials science, to design, analyze, manufacture, ...
*
Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
*
Production & Industrial Engineering
*
Computer Science and Engineering (Data Science)
Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) is an academic program at many universities which comprises scientific and engineering aspects of computing. CSE is also a term often used in Europe to translate the name of engineering informatics academic ...
The institute also offers Master of Technology degrees'' in the following specializations:
*
Computer Science and Engineering
Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) is an academic program at many universities which comprises scientific and engineering aspects of computing. CSE is also a term often used in Europe to translate the name of engineering informatics academic p ...
(with specialization in
AI,
Cyber security
Computer security, cybersecurity (cyber security), or information technology security (IT security) is the protection of computer systems and networks from attack by malicious actors that may result in unauthorized information disclosure, th ...
,
Software Engineering
Software engineering is a systematic engineering approach to software development.
A software engineer is a person who applies the principles of software engineering to design, develop, maintain, test, and evaluate computer software. The term ' ...
,
Data Engineering
Data engineering refers to the building of systems to enable the collection and usage of data. This data is usually used to enable subsequent analysis and data science; which often involves machine learning. Making the data usable usually involve ...
)
*
Highway
A highway is any public or private road or other public way on land. It is used for major roads, but also includes other public roads and public tracks. In some areas of the United States, it is used as an equivalent term to controlled-access ...
s, Structures,
Hydraulics and Irrigation,
Rotodynamic Machines
*
Electrical Power Systems
*
Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering is a professional engineering discipline that encompasses broad scientific topics like chemistry, biology, ecology, geology, hydraulics, hydrology, microbiology, and mathematics to create solutions that will protect and ...
(Interdisciplinary)
*
Electronics Engineering
Electronics engineering is a sub-discipline of electrical engineering which emerged in the early 20th century and is distinguished by the additional use of active components such as semiconductor devices to amplify and control electric current ...
*
Metallurgical Engineering
Metallurgy is a domain of materials science and engineering that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their inter-metallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are known as alloys.
Metallurgy encompasses both the sci ...
* TQM, VLSI, Management and Humanities
The institute also awards minor degrees to undergraduates in fields other than their major stream of study.
Collaborations
The college has collaborated with national and international educational institutions for student exchange programs.
MoUs
Microsoft Certified Professional was a certification program from Microsoft.
Overview
Microsoft Certifications are earned by passing exams aligned to a specific certification. The process of earning certification has changed multiple times sinc ...
have been signed with corporates to attract projects and internships. Some of these collaborations are:
*PEC has collaborations with a large number of international companies and universities To name a few such as
**
PGIMER, Chandigarh
**
NITIE, Mumbai
** ABB Global Industries & Services Ltd. Bangalore
** Minda Corporation Ltd Noida
** Intel Technologies India Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, Mumbai
** Central Tool Room, Ludhiana
** CONCAVE Research Centre, Concordia University, Canada
** Central Scientific Instruments Organization, Chandigarh
** Swaraj Division (a unit of FES M&M), Mohali
** MICROSOFT
** Mohali Industries Association, Mohali
** Philips India Ltd.PEC-ESIGELEC France collaboration (Feb, 2009)
**MoA between PEC and
Siemens Software to develop a centre of excellence at PEC.
**Solar tech Park at PEC campus established in support with Bergen group of Companies
* PEC-ABB collaboration (Jan, 2009)
* PEC-UWA collaboration (Jan, 2009)
* PEC-JCB collaboration initiated (Sep, 2008)
* PEC-Philips collaboration (Sep, 2008)
* PEC-CSIO collaboration (Aug, 2008)
Student life
Cultural and Technical festivals
PECFEST
PECFEST is the annual cultural and technical fest of PEC Chandigarh. The festival started as a cultural event in 2003.
In 2014, PECFEST merged with VYOM (the technical fest of PEC) and consequently, now acts as an umbrella festival for both cultural and technical events and competitions.
VYOM
Vyom (earlier known as Technique before being renamed in 2011) was the university's annual technical festival that ran from 2008 to 2014. It was discontinued in 2015 and the technical events are now conducted as part of PECfest.
Student organizations
Currently, there are 13 technical societies and 12 clubs active in the college, and these are named as:
Technical societies
ACM-CSS- Computer Science Society (Recognized under ACM student chapter)
* ATS - Aerospace Technical Society
* ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers (Student Chapter)
* ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers (Student Chapter)
* ASPS - Astronomy and Space Physics Society
* IEEE - The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Student Chapter
* IETE - The Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers Student Forum
* IGS - Indian Geotechnical Society
* IIM - Indian Institute of Metals
* The Robotics Society
* SAE - The Society of Automotive Engineers Student Chapter
* SESI - Solar Energy Society of India
* SME - The Society of Manufacturing Engineers Student Chapter
Students Council
* SAC- Students Affairs Council
Clubs
* Projection & Design Club
* Communications Information and Media Cell
* Music Club
* Robotics Club
* Speakers Association And Study Circle
* Dramatics Club
* Art and Photography Club
* Energy and Envirovision Club
*
Rotaract
Rotaract originally began as a Rotary International
Rotary International is one of the largest service organizations in the world. Its stated mission is to "provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goo ...
Club
* English Editorial Board
* Hindi Editorial Board
* Punjabi Editorial Board
* Images
Cell
* Student Counselling Cell (Happy Folks of PEC)
* Entrepreneurship Incubation Cell
* Women Empowerment Cell
Hostels
There are four hostels for boys and two hostels for girls. Each hostel is self-contained with amenities such as a reading room/indoor games/T.V. room, dining hall and mess. Every hostel has a student chairman (Hostel Senior) for managing and controlling various activities.
Girls Hostels:
*Kalpna Chawla Hostel
*Vindhya Hostel
Boys Hostels:
*Aravali Hostel
*Himalaya Hostel
*Kuruksheta Hostel
*Shivalik Hostel
Notable alumni
*
Kalpana Chawla
Kalpana Chawla (17 March 1962 – 1 February 2003) was an Indian-born American astronaut and mechanical engineer who was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space. She first flew on Space Shuttle ''Columbia'' in 1997 as a mission speciali ...
-
Space Shuttle Columbia
Space Shuttle ''Columbia'' (OV-102) was a Space Shuttle orbiter manufactured by Rockwell International and operated by NASA. Named after the first American ship to circumnavigate the upper North American Pacific coast and the female personifi ...
astronaut; BE Aeronautical (1982).
*
Badshah (Aditya P Singh), Punjabi singer and rapper; BE Civil Engineering (2006)
*
Sandeep Bakhshi, CEO of
ICICI Bank
ICICI Bank Limited is an Indian Private bank. It is headquartered at Mumbai. It offers a wide range of banking products and financial services for corporate and retail customers through a variety of delivery channels and specialized subsidiari ...
*
Jaspal Bhatti
Jaspal Singh Bhatti (3 March 1955 – 25 October 2012) was an Indian television personality known for his satirical take on the problems of the common man. He is most well known for his television series ''Flop Show, Full Tension'' and min ...
- satirist, comedian, film-maker; BE Electrical (1978).
*
Vijay K. Dhir
Vijay K. Dhir is the former Dean of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, holding the position from March 2003 to January 2016. He is also a professor of mechanical and aerosp ...
- Dean of the
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA's academic roots were established in 1881 as a Normal school, teachers colle ...
(UCLA)
Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science
The UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, informally known as UCLA Samueli School of Engineering or UCLA Engineering, is the school of engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). It opened as the Coll ...
*
Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon
Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon (born 1959) is a politician from Punjab, India. He is a four-time Member of Legislative Assembly in the Punjab Legislative Assembly from the Patti Constituency. He has served thrice as a minister. He has held the port ...
- Punjab
politician
A politician is a person active in party politics, or a person holding or seeking an elected office in government. Politicians propose, support, reject and create laws that govern the land and by an extension of its people. Broadly speaking, a ...
*
Shalabh Kumar - Indian American industrialist and a philanthropist, BS Electronics Engineering (1969)
*
Vanya Mishra
Vanya Mishra (born 27 February 1992) is a technology entrepreneur, former actress and a beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Femina Miss India World in 2012.
Vanya was born in Jalandhar, Punjab, and raised in Chandigarh. She studied ele ...
- Model and
Miss India 2012
*
Sunil Saigal - Dean, Newark College of Engineering at
New Jersey Institute of Technology
{{Infobox university
, name = {{nowrap, New Jersey Institute of Technology
, image = New Jersey IT seal.svg
, image_upright = 0.9
, former_names = Newark College of Engineering (1930–1975)Ne ...
(NJIT), BE Civil (1978).
*
Steve Sanghi
Steve Sanghi is the founder and served as Chief Executive Officer of Microchip Technology Inc. since October 1991. He also holds the Executive Chair of the board of directors of the company.
Since this period Steve Sanghi has been replaced by Ga ...
- CEO of
Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. is a publicly-listed American corporation that manufactures microcontroller, mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP integrated circuits. Its products include microcontrollers ( PIC, dsPIC, AVR and SAM), Serial EEPROM dev ...
BE Electronics (1975)
*
K. K. Aggarwal -Chairman National Board of Accreditation., MHRD and founder vice chancellor of
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, formerly Indraprastha University (IP or IPU), is a state university located in Dwarka, Delhi, India. The campus occupies 78 acres (31.56 hectares), among the largest in Delhi, and enrolls over 8,000 st ...
*
Vandana Verma - Space Roboticist at
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research.
NASA was established in 1958, succeedi ...
*
Tim Guleri - American Venture Capitalist.
*
Anup Chandra Pandey - Election Commissioner of India.
References
External links
Official PEC website* http://alumni.pec.ac.in
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pec University Of Technology
All India Council for Technical Education
Engineering colleges in Chandigarh
Deemed universities in India
Universities in Chandigarh
1921 establishments in India
Educational institutions established in 1921