Home

About the Department

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is one of the pioneering departments of Thangal Kunju Musaliar (TKM) College of Engineering. Formed in 1958. The department is one of the oldest departments that offer a degree in Mechanical Engineering in the state. It is currently one of the largest departments of the college with 41 full-time faculty members and over 50 full time technical and supporting staff. With the vision of ‘excellence in mechanical engineering with a perspective of sustainable development’, the Department of Mechanical Engineering has carved a niche for itself by offering the most competent instructional programmes to the students. The department offers Undergraduate (B.Tech), Postgraduate (M.Tech.) and Doctoral (Ph.D.) programmes in Mechanical Engineering. Currently, there are over 650 B.Tech. 100 M.Tech. and more than 30 Ph.D. students on roll. The department has over 15 instructional laboratories and 5 research laboratories, equipped with the state-of-the-art experimental facilities, scientific instruments and systems. The National Board of Accreditation (NBA) had accredited the undergraduate programme in Mechanical Engineering for 6 years from the period 2016-2022. The department is an approved research centre of University of Kerala, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and is a QIP (Quality Improvement Programme) and ADF/NDF (AICTE Doctoral Fellowship) centre approved by AICTE for PhD programme.

The department has evolved over the past 60 years to keep up with the ever-increasing challenges and needs of technology. While maintaining a strong base in the fundamental aspects of Mechanical Engineering, the department is functionally divided into four broad areas of specialization: (i) Thermal (ii) Manufacturing (iii) Design and iv) Management. The faculty members of the department cater to the various needs of the specializations through teaching and research. Some of the broad research areas include cryogenics, advanced materials, manufacturing and machining techniques, nanomaterials and nanofluids, superconductivity, fracture mechanics, biomechanics, solar energy systems, airconditioning and refrigeration etc. Some research projects are conducted in collaboration with other reputed Universities, Research organisations and laboratories within the country and abroad. The Department receives research funding from national agencies such as the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Aeronautical Research and Development Board (ARDB) and also from the different funding bodies at the state level.

The department carries out its mission without losing its focus on excellence in mechanical engineering through multiple programmes. The department conducts national and international conferences, faculty development programmes, quality improvement activities for faculty and staff, invited talks, lecture series, workshops, Industrial visits, etc. continuously to enhance and disseminate knowledge. The department encourages students to conduct and participate in multiple state and national level events every year to enhance not only their technical skills but also to update them on modern developments in technology. The department has student chapters for professional organisations like The Indian Society for Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Mechanical Engineering Association (MEA), etc. to encourage and coordinate various programmes to develop their professional skills. The students have participated in international and national competitions through other student clubs and have won many accolades and brought many laurels to the department. The department promotes and facilitates students internships, industrial visits, competitions, workshops, add-on/value-added courses, etc. to sensitise and train them for industry-related jobs. The department also offers international internships for the postgraduate students in renowned universities like University of Twente, Netherlands, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany, Mahidol University, Thailand etc.

With the boom of many disruptive technologies, the department is striving its best with an updated curriculum, innovative teaching-learning process, proper student-faculty ratio, strong linkages with the industry and collaborative research activities, to make its students ready for the needs of the industry tomorrow. The continuing support from TKM College Trust, the college, the State government, and the Government of India, the department can cater to the various needs of the students so that they will be able to face the competitive and fast-changing environment and secure their dream career.