Sagi Rama Krishnam Raju Engineering College: Transcending Traditional Technical Education

Sagi Rama Krishnam Raju Engineering College
Sagi Rama Krishnam Raju Engineering College

As digitalization continues to reshape industries worldwide, the demand for skilled individuals in technical fields is on the rise. This surge presents a unique opportunity for rural students to step onto the global stage, empowering them to contribute their skills and ideas, fostering innovation and enriching the tech realm.

Sagi Rama Krishnam Raju Engineering College (SRKREC) stands as a crucial force in empowering rural students to seize these opportunities and thrive in an increasingly tech-driven world, with its mission to address the needs of the technical industry.

SRKREC is situated in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India and has a rich history rooted in a vision for quality technical education. Established in 1980 by the esteemed industrialist and philanthropist Sagi Rama Krishnam Raju aiming to empower rural students through technical education. Over the years, as a pioneering institution, SRKREC has been committed to providing exemplary education and fostering innovation in engineering and technology for rural youth in the country’s technical education landscape since its inception.

Paving Paths for Successful Careers

SRKREC is one of Andhra Pradesh’s earliest self-financed engineering colleges, spanning 30 acres with modern infrastructure, well-equipped laboratories and a comprehensive library. The highly accomplished faculty here is dedicated to guiding students toward successful careers, emphasizing a student-centered approach and fostering an environment conducive to effective learning.

Initially beginning with 3 programs, SRKREC has established to offer 12 B.Tech., 6 M.Tech., and 10 Ph.D. programs. As an autonomous institution sanctioned by UGC, approved by AICTE and permanently affiliated with JNTUK, it consistently reflects academic brilliance. With a dedication to quality education, it has recently introduced courses in burgeoning domains, amplifying its quest for innovation and advancement.

Ensuring Socio-ecological Well-being of Society

The vision of SRKREC is to emerge as a world-class technical institution that strives for the socio-ecological well-being of society. The institution aims to achieve the following objectives:

  • To upgrade the teaching-learning environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure to accelerate employability and entrepreneurship.
  • To promote inter-disciplinary research and innovation through institute–industry partnerships.
  • To nurture ethical and ecological consciousness to sustain holistic social well-being.

SRKREC is committed to achieving excellence in Teaching, Research and Consultancy:

  • By deploying global best practices in education to create world-class professionals
  • By establishing harmonious relationships with industry and society
  • By developing state-of-the-art infrastructure and sustaining the quality of education through well-endowed faculty
  • By imparting knowledge through advanced learning and teaching methods

Prioritizing Holistic Education

At the core of SRKREC’s vision is a commitment to holistic education and indigenous knowledge preservation. Through Centers of Excellence for Research and Innovation including the Center for Foreign Languages promoting linguistic diversity, the institution fosters cross-cultural understanding. Srujana Vaatika initiative emphasizes Indian Knowledge systems, honoring India’s intellectual heritage.

Its comprehensive extracurricular activities including seminars, workshops, industrial visits, and student associations foster a dynamic learning environment further promoting collaboration, creativity and innovation among peers. These initiatives contribute to holistic development, equipping students with technical skills and practical insights crucial for success in their careers and beyond.

At SRKREC, education emphasizes holistic development encompassing academic excellence, physical fitness, social responsibility, and mental well-being. A robust sports program fosters teamwork and leadership skills. Community service initiatives address local needs in turn promoting sustainable development. Yoga activities aid stress management and inner harmony. The National Service Scheme encourages civic engagement and empathy. These efforts prepare students to be academically proficient, socially conscious and emotionally resilient individuals.

Transcending Traditional Education

At SRKREC, excellence transcends traditional education. Through strategic alliances and visionary initiatives, the establishment excels globally in research and innovation. Securing vital financial support from the Department of Science and Technology’s FIST Program enhances research infrastructure and fosters a culture of inquiry among faculty and students.

Moreover, the ambitions are focused on a global level and this is exemplified by securing grants from the prestigious European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program. This highlights its dedication to international collaboration and facilitates transformative opportunities for interdisciplinary research and global knowledge exchange.

To enrich academic experiences and broaden horizons, SRKREC partners with prestigious German universities. These collaborations offer immersive internships, specialized Nano Masters courses and pioneering employability Master’s Programs. These initiatives equip students with essential skills for success.

A Legacy of Two Generations

Sri Sagi Rama Krishnam Raju is an eminent figure in the domain of contractors. He established the bedrock of Prasad & Company (Project Works) Limited. His philanthropic endeavors extended to the monumental project of constructing the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam—an imposing masonry dam situated in Andhra Pradesh.

Throughout the course of this ambitious undertaking, he grappled with the persistent challenge of the scarcity of proficient engineers. In response to this critical societal gap and driven by a visionary spark, he conceptualized an institution that would propel progress and innovation. Thus, Sagi Rama Krishnam Raju Engineering College emerged.

The President of the institution, Sri Sagi Prasad Raju, following his father’s legacy is leading SRKREC with a vision focused on academic excellence, innovation and societal impact. He fosters a culture of creativity and collaboration guiding the institution toward new heights. Inspired by his father’s philanthropy, he ensures a holistic approach to education leaving a lasting impression on future generations.

As Secretary cum Correspondent of SRKREC, Sri S R K Nishant Varma demonstrates outstanding leadership and commitment to excellence. His initiatives include securing the AICTE IDEA Lab to bolster student employability and entrepreneurship, aligning with the vision of ‘AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT.’ He was recognized with the Young Edupreneur Award 2023 by TIMES Business Awards, A.P. as his visionary leadership fostered innovation and growth within the institution.

The New Age of Learning

Initially, implementing e-learning at the college presented challenges including equitable technology access, faculty training, student engagement, and assessment security. To overcome these, extensive faculty training programs were conducted, interactive online platforms were implemented for student engagement and robust authentication measures were established for online assessments. These efforts facilitated a successful transition to e-learning ensuring a high-quality educational experience for students despite initial obstacles.

Ensuring maximum Engagement

SRKREC adopts an engagement model emphasizing participation, collaboration and inclusivity. To ensure maximum student engagement at events, it involves students in planning, offering diverse themes, promoting events via social media, encouraging student leadership, and fostering a supportive environment for all participants.

To ensure students grasp global technological advancements amid increasing globalization and digitalization, the college utilizes extensive electronic resources. They access up-to-date educational material through McGraw-Hill and NLIST e-books, while e-journals from IEEE, Springer, ASCE, Elsevier, and J-Gate expose them to cutting-edge research. DELNET membership expands the library network—offering access to a vast repository. NPTEL video lectures provide insights into global engineering and science advancements. Ensuring campus-wide e-resource accessibility facilitates seamless exploration in turn preparing students for the corporate world.

Utilizing platforms like SWAYAM MOOCs, IIT Bombay’s Spoken Tutorials and CISCO Networking Academy, students access diverse online courses. Programs such as Google Cloud Career Readiness and Computing Foundation equip them with essential skills. APSSDC’s online courses and APSCHE’s learning management system offer structured learning. Additionally, EduSkills fosters industry connections through certifications and virtual internships, preparing students for success in a digital, globalized world.

Cultivating a Vibrant Environment

In addition, SRKREC cultivates vibrant academic and extracurricular learning frameworks through partnerships with esteemed professional bodies like ISTE, IETE, ACE, IEI, AEE, CSI, and AME facilitating networking and professional development opportunities.

Complementing these collaborations are diverse student clubs spanning from Automotive and Robotics to Toastmasters International and Language NEST fostering hands-on learning, technical skills development and cultural appreciation. These affiliations collectively enrich the educational experience preparing students for dynamic careers and personal growth.

With a legacy spanning 43 years, SRKREC has consistently maintained academic excellence. Here are some of the notable achievements:

  • NAAC (Cycle-2) Accreditation with ‘A+’ Grade, CGPA of 3.42.
  • NBA accreditation for six B.Tech. programs.
  • Recognition as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
  • ISO 9001:2015 Certification.
  • Ranked in the band of 151-300 in the Innovation Category by NIRF India Rankings 2023.
  • Best Participating Institute for outstanding efforts in Unnat Bharat Abhiyan program by Regional Coordinate Institute, Andhra University, 2023.
  • Best Start-up Ecosystem Enabler Award under Institutions Category by AIC, SKU, Anantpur.
  • Third position in Top Private Engineering Institutes Ranking-AP by Times Engineering Institutes Ranking Survey 2023.
  • AAA+ Rating in Careers360 Top Engineering Colleges in India ranking 2023.
  • Recognized as 10 Best Colleges to Work for – 2023 by Silicon India Magazine.
  • All India 33rd Rank in AICTE-Edu Skills Virtual Internship Annual Ranking 2022.
  • National Winner in Categories II and III of the AICTE FIT INDIA Challenge, 2022.

Opening Global Doorways

SRKREC distinguishes itself through a holistic approach to education, combining academic rigor with practical skill-building and personal development. With top-tier electronic resources, partnerships with esteemed professional bodies and a diverse range of student clubs, it offers hands-on learning, industry-relevant certifications and ample networking opportunities. This comprehensive approach ensures that graduates are well-prepared for success in global corporations.

The university is striving to achieve the following goals:

  • Establishment as a Deemed-to-be University/State University
  • Implementation of Management Programmes
  • Advancement in Sciences