The year 1999 marks the birth of a vision that was set to transform the landscape of technical education in Kerala and beyond. On June 12, 1999, the Diocesan Technical Education Trust (DTET) was established under the aegis of the Catholic Diocese of Kothamangalam. This momentous event graced by His Excellency Mar George Punnakkottil, the Bishop of Kothamangalam, marked the genesis of Viswajyothi College of Engineering and Technology.
1999-2001: The Foundation Years
Under the guidance of H.E. Mar George Punnakkottil, the inaugural meeting of the Board of Trustees in July 1999 set the wheels in motion. Rev. Msgr. Thomas Malekudy was declared President of DTET, and Rev. Fr. Joseph Puthenkulam, the Secretary. In 2001, the college obtained approval from AICTE to commence operations as a self-financing Engineering College affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala. 120 seats were sanctioned across three disciplines, 45 in Computer Science, 30 in Electronics and Communication, and 45 in Information Technology.
2001-2005: Expansion and Diversification
On October 17, 2001, the College was blessed and inaugurated by H.E. Mar George Punnakkottil, marking a significant milestone. Dr. C.N. Paulose assumed office as the first Principal of the College. The subsequent years witnessed a surge in growth. Additional seats were sanctioned, enhancing the number to 60 in each. B.Tech. program in Mechanical Engineering was introduced in 2002, and the AICTE sanctioned Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) program in 2004. The establishment of hostels for girls and boys in 2003 and 2005 respectively created a vibrant campus community. On June 16, 2005, Dr. P. K. Joselin was appointed as Principal.
2006-2011: Milestones in Quality Assurance
The appointment of Prof. T.S. Chacko as the first Director of the College; and Dr. Cyriac Thomas, former Vice-Chancellor of M.G. University, as Dean and Chairman in 2006, infused fresh vigour to the institution. Dr. V. George was appointed as Principal the same year. In 2007, Dr. M. G. Grasius was appointed as Principal. Year 2009 witnessed the commencement of PG programs- M.Tech courses in Computer Science and Electronics & Communication.
In 2010, accreditation by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) for the Computer Science and Electronics & Communication departments was a testament to the unwavering pursuit of academic excellence. The institution spread its wings further with the sanctioning of Civil Engineering program, M.Tech program in Mechanical Engineering and MBA courses by AICTE in the same year. The college received ISO certification later the same year. A dedicated R&D Centre was established in 2011 with Dr. K. Babu Joseph, former Vice Chancellor of CUSAT, as the Dean of the Centre; elevating the institution's research prowess. Dr. K. T. Mathew was appointed as Principal later the same year.
2012-2017: A Time of Transition
Leadership transitions marked this period, with Msgr. Thomas Malekudy retiring and Msgr. Francis Alappatt taking over as Manager in 2012; and Rev. Dr. George Thanathuparambil taking over as Director in May 2013. In July 2014, Dr. Francis C. Peter was appointed as Principal. The college was affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala in 2015. The same year, Msgr. Dr. George Oliapuram assumed the role of Manager, and Dr. Josephkunju Paul C. was appointed as Principal, overseeing a period of expansion. In 2017, Viswajyothi expanded its horizons with the establishment of the Fablab furthering its commitment to cutting-edge technology. Msgr. Dr. Cherian Kanjirakompil assumed office as Manager in May 2017
2018-2019: Pursuit of Excellence
The college garnered prestigious accreditations from NBA (National Board of Accreditation) for six departments in 2018 (CE, CS, ECE, ME, EEE and IT). The same year, the college introduced international outreach by collaborating with German Industry Experts from Senior Experten Service (SES) to conduct an International Symposium and Faculty Development Program. In April 2019, the Viswajyothi Business Incubation Centre (VBIC) was inaugurated, fostering entrepreneurial spirit and innovation among students. The introduction of vocational courses and the launch of the Foreign Language Division later the same year further diversified the academic landscape.
2020-2022: The Quest for Excellence Continues
In 2020, the institution ventured into the cutting-edge field of Artificial Intelligence & Data Science, a testament to its progressive perspective. On June 15, 2020, Dr. K.K.Rajan, Distinguished Scientist and former Director, Fast Reactor Technology Group, IGCAR, was appointed as Principal. In July 2020, Rev. Fr. Paul Nedumpurath took over as Director.
Later the same year, the Viswajyothi Chapel was blessed, providing a serene space for contemplation and reflection. In 2021, Msgr. Dr. Pius Malekandathil took over as Manager and the college continues to thrive under his guidance. The year 2022 witnessed note-worthy recognitions with the NAAC accreditation with Grade ‘A’ and the re-accreditation by NBA, reaffirming the college's position among the finest in the country. 2022 also witnessed a momentous addition with the introduction of the Bachelor of Hotel Management & Catering Technology program, further diversifying the educational offerings.
2023: Forging Ahead with Vision and Purpose
In 2023, the establishment of the Computer Science & Design Department and the appointment of Rev. Dr. Paul Parathazham as Director signify a commitment to embrace emerging technologies and maintain the legacy of academic distinction.
Viswajyothi College of Engineering and Technology has upheld an admirable history, consistently attaining top positions within the University and establishing a distinguished reputation. With the announcement of results for the 2019-2023 batch of students, the College has secured the 13th position among Engineering Colleges under KTU in the state and stands at an impressive 3rd position among self-financing Engineering Colleges.
Viswajyothi College of Engineering and Technology stands today as a symbol of unwavering dedication to quality education, innovation, and holistic development. As it moves forward, it continues to shape the future of technical education in India and beyond, nurturing generations of skilled professionals and visionary leaders.
