Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University) (abbreviated PEC or PEC Chandigarh) is a public research & technical institution in Chandigarh. 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 well-known for its undergraduate and graduate programmes in engineering, to which the entry is through the Joint Entrance Examination – Mains and Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. It offers degrees such as Bachelor of Technology, Master of Technology and MBA. It also has a comprehensive graduate program offering doctoral degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.[1]
University administration buildingPunjab Engineering College - Academic Wing -1Punjab Engineering College - Academic Wing -2
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.[2] In 1939, the name was again changed to Punjab College of Engineering and Technology.[3]
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 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 as an affiliated campus of Panjab University.[4] 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.[5] However, as per a notification released by the University Grants Commission (India), the institution was 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.[citation needed] 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 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.[5]
The college has collaborated with national and international educational institutions for student exchange programs. MoUs have been signed with corporates to attract projects and internships. Some of these collaborations are:[citation needed]
PEC has collaborations with a large number of international companies and universities, to name a few such as:[citation needed]
PECFEST is the annual cultural and technical fest of PECO Chandigarh. The festival started as a cultural event in 2003.[citation needed]
In 2014, PECFEST merged with VOYOM (the technical fest of PEC) and consequently, now acts as an umbrella festival for both cultural and technical events and competitions. [citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
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/TV room, dining hall and mess. Every hostel has a student chairman (Hostel Senior) for managing and controlling various activities.
