Panjab University B.Tech Review By Kajal Baghel

DR. SSBUICET previously known as DCET is one of the best institutes for Chemical Engineering and Food Technology. This institute is affiliated with Panjab University and offers AICTE-approved programs. You get to experience both college life and University life. You will have exposure to all the things and have enough scope for your overall development and the scope for research work is great here. Since it is in Chandigarh, you can enjoy your life to the fullest, be it the night life of Chandigarh or trekking to the nearest hill station (Kasoli, Shimla).

The procedure to enter this institute is through JAC Chandigarh counselling which is based on your JEE Main score. Various courses are offered here including Undergraduate Programs such as B.E. in Chemical Engineering (4 years), B.E. in Food Technology (4 years), then there are Integrated Program like B.E. in Chemical Engineering + MBA (5 years) and Postgraduate Programs including M.Tech. in Chemical Engineering (2 years), M.Tech. in Food Technology (2 years), M.E. in Environmental Engineering (2 years) and M.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry (2 years). I am pursuing Bachelor of Engineering which is a well planned course along with a value added course which makes the students industry ready. If we talk about relevancy of course then it is around 85 to 90% according to my point of view.

The faculty members are well-educated and knowledgeable. The institute has permanent faculty members and guest faculty members along with research scholars. Faculty members have their main focus on research and development. Most of them hold Ph.Ds and have published a number of papers under their names. They encourage students for research and development and many students are doing research in their first year itself under different faculty members. Some of the faculty members are so sweet and talks very nicely but some are so strict that you cannot even think of misbehaving with them.

Our institute has Placement Cells which help students to get paid internship and placement. The placement cell organises regular seminars and webinars to connect with industry leaders and get insights of the industries. The institute has the best ROR (return on investment) for the 2023-24 sessions. It made an impressive record of 98.55% placement rate for the B.E. in Chemical Engineering program. The job opportunities are quite good and many companies like Reliance Industries, Honeywell, Jubilant Ingrevia, GAIL, and Technip recruit students from the campus. In 2023, the placement record was very good with 12 LPA as the highest package and 6 LPA - 7 LPA as average package. Students can even look for off campus placement but do not expect any help from the department in this regard.

There are 10 hostels for girls and 10 for boys along with one international hostel. Since UICET is the part of Panjab University, we get the hostel facility of Panjab University but only if you are not from the tricity that is Panchkula, Chandigarh, Mohali. The hostels are provided on the basis of JEE Main score so very few people get the accommodation in the first year as there are very few vacant seats in the hostels. Since you are living with the students of other departments of Panjab University, you get an opportunity to interact with different people and know about their culture. Although the mess food is not up to the mark, you can order anything from the canteen. There are different committees in Hostel for food, cleaning and hygiene, decoration, etc. You can have a great opportunity to show your leadership skills by being a part of the committee. The hostel organises regular recreational activities on different occasions. The hostel infrastructure is average but it's fine according to the fee. The hostels are 24x7 open and there are no restrictions on the exit and entry. Boys are not allowed in the girls’ hostel and vice versa. The hostel fees are nominal with around 8K -9K per semester. The mess and canteen fees are on a monthly basis of what you have eaten. Single sharing rooms are available for Ph.D scholars only. Double and triple sharing is also there. PG facilities are also available near to the institute, but it is expensive as compared to hostels.

The infrastructure and buildings are not up to the mark, but the institute has the best laboratory which is well-equipped for practical learning. A pilot plant is there but is not in working condition. The department has its own robust library system and a large ground. You are eligible to use all the resources of Panjab University be it gym, swimming pool, cricket ground, university ground, Gymnasium hall, etc .The A.C Joshi library is one of the best Library of north India, is on the backside of the department which makes it easier for the students to access it .The student centre (STU-C) which is like a canteen, is also on the backside of the campus.

Overall, the campus life is fun but you cannot bunk classes often because of 75% attendance criteria. The Panjab University’s vibrant fests make it more enjoyable. Students get to enjoy the fests of other departments of PU. It is closer to PEC (Panjab Engineering College) so you can enjoy their fest as well .The Rose garden, botanical garden, and the student centre is the best spot for students to relax on normal days. The Department has various technical and cultural clubs like IICHe (Indian Institute of Chemical Engineering), IPI (Indian Plastic Institute), oratory club, the monologuing marauders, drama club RIT, R&D (Research and Development) club, Dance club (folk regiment, D'CODE), Singing club Reverie and a social work society Enactus which is an international NPO (non-profitable organisation). The institute organises a 3-day fest named Cynide which is quite fun to attend, learn new things and show your leadership skills. All the club and fest are handled by the students, and this makes them more responsible. In Panjab University, elections are also interesting.