Adamas Institute of Technology B.Tech Review By Arup Dutta

Previously Adamas Institute of Technology, now Adamas University is one big step of the RICE Institute of Technology towards taking the present situation of engineering to the next level. This College is inaugurated in 2008 and we were the second batch of it. The college is located near Barbaria on Barasat-Barrackpore Road in Barasat. It is 13 kilometres away from Netaji Subhash Chandra International Airport. From 2014, this institute has come under Adamas University The institute is affiliated with AICTE and was working under WBUT. It came under Adamas University in 2015-16 and since then it is a trendsetter in the field of engineering and technology. Providing an exact solution to different problems of students from different merit was always the motto of this institute. And no one can deny that the institute moderately stood up on that.

The college admits students via counseling of WBJEE and AIEEE. Usually, the institute offered courses on Civil Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, and Information Technology. From 2010, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering were also included in the course. The Institute is working under Rice Group Chairman Mr. Samit Roy. The overall management is working under his influence. The Institute is affiliated to Sachis Kiran Roy Memorial’s trust. The average course fee is now about Rs. 3.5 lacs for 4 years.

I was joined in Civil Engineering in 2009. Back then, it was one of the good looking institutes that I could opt for with a WBJEE rank of 11850. It was a recession going over the economic sectors throughout the world. For me, it was a safer option to go for the mother stream rather than IT for a secure future. I opted for AIT in counseling. After some official paperwork at the counseling spot, the officials told me to come to their office near Belgharia Rathtala. After the admission procedure, they gave me a guided tour of the college campus. Getting my chosen stream was more important to me rather than opting for the college I want to go to. I don’t know it was my stupidity or my wisdom to give priority to the stream rather than college. But thanks to God, I got a good faculty stream and good subjects that I’ve managed to understand.

The subjects in the first year are engineering physics, mechanics, design, mechanics, basic electrical, basic electronics, and mathematics. Core engineering subjects came from 2nd year where we got to learn structural analysis and design. The syllabus was as specified by WBUT and the college could not do anything much about it. But somehow the faculty members managed to complete the whole syllabus in due time. Well, being an engineering student you need to get the basics very clear. Usually, when you are opting to stay in the field, all you need is your concept to be clear. The subjects are easy enough to catch the basic concept of it. It helped me a lot in my career.

One thing which can be considered the best of AIT is its faculty. In our civil department, there were more than 25 faculties for more or less 7 different segments. There were more than 200 plus professors in all 6 streams. And, I feel lucky to come in touch with the professors who helped me in almost every aspect. There was a mixture of experienced faculties and young professors. To my personal feeling, gaining the original substances from experienced faculties is a bit tougher. They know a lot and they want to share their vast knowledge with us.

If you are a brilliant student and want to know more and more about the subject then this might be helpful. Young faculties can elaborate things and provides us with just what we need. It is more comfortable learning from them. The HOD of our department was Dr. Madhusudan Chakrabarty, who was a post-doc from Cambridge University. Every professor has a degree in M.Tech in their respective field. About 20% of all professors were Ph.D. The teaching experience was somewhat mixed. The range was huge from 25 years to 2 years. The average teaching experience would have been 5 years for all faculties.

This was somehow a weaker part of the management cell of AIT. Back then, at the time of counseling, they said that they have a tie-up with Bengal Silver-Spring and Bengal Ambuja. None of the two companies showed up at the time of placement in 2013. But there were companies like KnD Infrastructure, Merlin Group, and 2 or 3 more in on-campusing. But, it hurts when you long for something for 4 years and it does not happen.

But, in the other departments, placement was comparatively good. Companies like Wipro, TCS, Infosys, and Cognizant came into an On-campus drive. Almost 60 percent of students were placed in our batch. 10 percent of total students placed in the pool campus drive. If you see overall placement was not bad at that time, considering the scenario that, the recession was not over by then.

The highest package was Rs. 7 lacs per annum, got by a guy in CSE steam. He was placed in Infosys. In Civil, A Delhi Design Company picked one of my classmates in Rs. 4 lacs per annum. That was the highest package one got in Civil Engineering.

Now, it has improved. Let’s not forget that, it was the starting time for AIT. Standing on then, that performance in placement was not bad.

Hostel accommodation was available from the very beginning. Initially, the hostel was made for 70 boys and 50 girls. But with time the capacity increased and when we were in the final year, the hostels were ready to accommodate about 150 persons.

The hostel for boys and girls were not separated by 2013. The buildings were G+3 and the top floor was for girls. As the number of girls was comparatively less than boys. The top floor was secured with a collapsible gate and there was no chance that one could trespass.

The hostel fees started in Rs. 3500 per month including food in the first year. Then it was increased to Rs. 4500 in the 2nd year and Rs. 5500 in the 3rd. from 4th-year food and lodging charges were separated and it costs about Rs. 3000 bucks for living and Rs. 2500 for food.

Food was marginally okay. You can't expect a home-like taste or a 5-star cuisine in hostel food. But overall, it was edible. In my 4 years, there were no cases of food poisoning happened in the hostel. That was indeed a remarkable part.

Security was moderate. There were some incidents of theft in the hostel but the culprit was identified soon. For girls, there was a strict rule to return to the hostel before 9 pm. Overall, it was satisfactory.

Apart from the hostel, there were some rooms nearby that offer a Paying guest facility. Some hotels were there too with tasty foods.

The total area of the campus is more than 100 acres. Apart from AIT, there was a college of professional teacher’s training and Law College on that campus. When we were admitted, the college was only on the ground floor. We saw it building up during those 4 years. As a civil engineering student, it was easy for us to gather some professional practical knowledge at that time. The Institute consisted of 4 individual buildings each connected with others by “U-shaped lobby with an admin block. Later the buildings are expanded more. Each block was for different streams from the ground floor to the third floor. Classrooms were fine enough to listen to the lectures. It was not soundproof by then. The library was good as we always got the book we required. A vast area with a sitting capability of 200+ students.

There were maximum types of machinery available in the Labs. There were two conference halls in the admin block. A huge playground with a facility for football, cricket, basketball, and volleyball are available. Common room and First Aid rooms are also there for indoor games and medications. There was a canteen for snacks and all. No extra cafeteria was available back then. For emergencies, there was an ambulance at the college.

Campus life was fun. There has been one fest. One fresher’s welcome ceremony and one technical fest happened in a year. A cricket and one football tournament also happened each year. AIT also took part in the inter-college championships and came runners in Cricket tournaments.

The canteen and common rooms were open for all to have fun or gossip. There are no such prohibitions of having fun without harming anyone. Ragging was strictly prohibited in AIT. One thing I must say, the senior-junior collaboration was excellent back then. We never felt uneasy while talking to a senior. They have always been very helpful.

AIT always took part in many competitions other than games. In 2012, AIT got selected at the state level for the AutoCAD competition by AutoDesk. Students were keen to take part in those quests. The social bond between students and teachers were also good. Overall the campus life was satisfactory.

It was great when a representative was sent from the first year to talk about the problems along with the seniors. In addition to that, he was allowed to speak about his problems without any pressure. I guess this shows the bond between students and management. And this is what is necessary for the long run.

AIT always taught me to value the friends and to put effort to get what is required. I feel lucky to be a part of it. Wish AIT (now AU) may get the success it desires and deserves.