Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology, Research and Academy - SASTRA

About Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology, Research and Academy - SASTRA

Sastra University or Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy, is a Private Deemed University. SASTRA is an abbreviated form which stands for Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy. The dreams of its founding fathers took shape in 1984 in the form of Shanmugha College of Engineering affiliated to the Bharathidasan University, Trichy. In 2001 it was renamed as Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology and Research Academy and it was also conferred the status of University on April 26, 2001 under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. The university has a sprawling campus having a built-up area of 2, 22,129.02 square metres spread over 232 acres. It is also recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization by the Government of India. The Institution of Engineers (India) has accredited all eligible B. Tech. programmes offered by SASTRA. The MBA programme is also separately accredited by TCS.

SASTRA offers various undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in Engineering, Arts, Science and Management. SASTRA follows the Choice–Based Credit System (CBCS). Under it, the curriculum is designed in such a way that it provides freedom to the students to choose courses from a list of departmental electives for earning 31 credits. The course work during the first year is mostly devoted to basic engineering and science courses, which constitute 61 credits. Out of the remaining 164 credits, students have to earn a minimum of 108 credits through core courses, 31 through departmental electives and 12 from interdisciplinary open electives. In addition, students earn 4 credits on HR skills and 9 credits for end–semester Project work.

In addition, the students can opt for four courses (12 credits) as open electives from a large pool of courses across Arts, Science, Technology, Law and Management disciplines. CBCS has been designed to facilitate students to complete credit requirements at their own choice of courses and faculty.  The B. Tech. curriculum has 225 credits comprising 75% theory and 25% practical courses.  The final semester includes a project work and viva.  The B. Tech. programmes are spread over four years (eight semesters), averaging about 27 credits per semester – the AICTE UG–credit being defined as 50 minutes of lecture and 100 minutes of self–study per week, for 15 net weeks (spread over 19 calendar weeks).

Sastra University Schools

• SCBT - School of Chemical and Biotechnology
• SOCE - School of Civil Engineering
• SOC - School of Computing
• SEEE - School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
• SOM - School of Management
• SOME - School of Mechanical Engineering
• School of Humanities and Sciences
• School of Law
• Tifac-Core for Advanced Computation

Facilities at Sastra University

Hostels - There are 9 boys' hostel and 6 girls' hostels providing accommodation to over 4000 boys and 2400 girls. The hostels are equipped with all amenities for living, dining and recreation.

The hostels are of the following types:

1.  Single Room / 2-in-1 / 4-in1 (Bath Attached)

 2.  Single Room / 2-in-1 / 3-in-1 / 4-in-1

Facilities at Hostels

• North Indian Cuisine in addition to the South Indian culinary delights
• 370 Mbps Wi-Fi is available to all the inmates of the hostels
• The Housing Preference Form allows you to select a roommate.
• Every effort is made to match roommates if both complete and return their preference form and if both make their housing deposits by the indicated deadline
• Each residential hall is equipped with telephone connections

Distance Education - SASTRA offers Education, Astrology and Fine Arts (Dance and Music) courses through distance mode as of 2015.

These programmes are:

Diploma Programmes

• Diploma in Astrology
• Diploma in Sanskrit

UG Programmes

• B. Ed
• B.A (Astrology)
• B.F.A. (Dance and Music)

PG Programmes

• M.A (Astrology)
• M.F.A (Dance and Music)

Choice of Faculty Member – The University gives a unique choice to students to choose faculty of their own choice. If the same course is taught by more than one faculty, the students have the liberty to register under a faculty of their choice

ACRS – It stands for Accelerated Course Registration System and it facilitates students to register for additional courses in order to satisfy their credit requirements through course works enabling them to devote the entire eighth semester for a quality project work in India or abroad.

SAP – It stands for Semester Abroad Programme and it enables the students to spend one semester to pursue a research or course work in a foreign University / industry of international repute.  The credits earned during this programme are transferred to SASTRA for the award of degree. The University has forged collaborations with industries and major International Universities to facilitate student internships during their final semester.

Features:

1. Students are free to choose their project team mates and supervisors from any School to carry out interdisciplinary projects

2. Students have an option to change their branch based on their academic performance at the end of first year provided there are vacancies

3. Students have an option to register for value–added certificate courses, which are offered beyond the regular working hours

4. Students have an option to register for value–added certificate courses, which are offered beyond the regular working hours

5. Integrated teacher education programme provides flexibility to student to exit the programme at the end three years with a B. Sc. degree or continue for two more years to qualify for the M. Sc., B. Ed. Degree

6. University provides freedom to introduce new courses as electives in tune with the latest developments

Some of the premier Universities involved are:

• Harvard and MIT Medical Schools under the HST Programme, USA
• Simon Fraser University & University of Windsor, Canada
• Orebro University & University West, Sweden

Skill Development Programme - SASTRA University launched a free one-year skill development programme in CNC Machining, Forging and Welding on February 23, 2012. It is mostly meant for students from various challenged socio-economic backgrounds. This programme was conceptualised and designed after obtaining inputs over a one-year period from many stakeholders. A monthly stipend of Rs.5, 000 is given to each student to meet the cost of learning, travel and food. On successful completion of the programme, the students will benefit by securing employment in nearby industries or be encouraged by SASTRA with some handholding facilities to start their own business. The University is also issuing a certificate for each successful student and is also taking appropriate steps with the Government of India to grant ITI equivalence to this certificate to enable the students to integrate into mainstream formal higher education.

Library - Saraswathi Sadan is the name of the central library. It is spread over an area of about 47,000 sq ft with modern study area, audio visual room, internet and reprographic facilities. Saraswathi Sadan contains over 78,000 books valued at Rs 3.5 crores, the library subscribes to 300 journals and periodicals; including IEEE publications. The library also subscribes to online journal database like Science Direct, IEEE, ACME, ASME, SCE, EBSCO, SCOPUS, DELNET, ebrary etc. providing access to over 3200 scientific, technical and management journals and bibliographic database of over 17,000 journals. It also subscribes to PROQUEST Digital Dissertation database which offers access to over 550,000 Ph.D dissertations.

SASTRA University Library is the only University in India to purchase the entire suite of Springer's Electronic collection of over 8,000 e-Books. The Library also subscribes to e-Brary which provides access over 35,000 full text books.  The networking of entire campus provides a seamless access to all the online databases for simultaneous use by unlimited number of users.

CeNTAB - Centre for Nanotechnology and Advanced Biomaterials is an inter-disciplinary research centre. It is spread over an area of 2, 00,000 Sq.ft. at a cost of Rs. 42 Crores, this facility houses 76 research labs with state-of- the art facilities like Microscopy Suite, Spectroscopy Suite etc. besides other major equipments and over 20 research labs.

CARISM - Centre for Advanced Research in Indian System of Medicine is involved in the research for strengthening the Indian Systems of Medicine particularly Ayurveda and Siddha for the global acceptance by means of standardization and validation. It has been approved by the Directorate of Drug Control of Tamil Nadu for carrying out tests for identity, purity, quality and strength of a variety of Ayurvedic and Siddha drugs or raw materials used in the manufacture thereof. It is also recognized by the AYUSH, Ministry of Health, and Govt. of India as a National Drug Testing Facility. CARISM is currently engaged in research for standardization of traditional formulations to cure Arthritis, Leucoderma, Cardiovascular diseases and obesity besides various other research activities. It has various state-of-the-arts facilities like NMR, HPLC, HPTLC, FTIR, GC-MS, Particle Size Analyzer, Polarimeter etc.

Research - Major research facilities are available for all students and faculty from SASTRA as well as from other institutions.  It has various equipments for research like - Field emission transmission electron microscope with energy dispersive spectrometer (FE-TEM), X–ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), Confocal microscope and various others.

Solar Plant - The solar plant installed by Tata Power Solar is expected to meet 25% of the university's power requirement.

Srinivasa  Ramanujan Centre - SASTRA has established Srinivasa Ramanujan Centre as a tribute to Srinivasa Ramanujan, the great mathematician who lived at Kumbakonam centre housed in a six storied structure with spacious classrooms, well-stocked library, state-of­the-art laboratories and computer centre.

Sastra Ramanujan Award - SASTRA has initiated an annual award of US$10,000 and a citation is presented for outstanding research in the areas influenced by Srinivasa  Ramanujan. The award is open to researchers all over the world under the age of 32. This award has been instituted with a view to encourage young minds to purse cutting edge research in Mathematical applications influenced by Srinivasa Ramanujan and increase the visibility of Mathematics both at the national and international level.

Sports - To promote excellence in sports and provide organized relaxation and entertainment, an indoor stadium Maruti has been constructed and equipped with billiards tables, badminton courts, a basketball court, table tennis, and carom board with indoor lighting facility. To maintain and establish a healthy fitness regime Body Lyrics, a multipurpose fitness centre has been established in the indoor stadium. A separate gymnasium and jogging track is available for the girl students. Besides there are outdoor facilities for Soccer, Tennis, Cricket, etc., attract many students.

Banking - A full-fledged branch of the Indian Overseas Bank is actively operational at SASTRA campus with 2 ATMs - one for the general public and the other exclusively for the girls at the Girls Hostel along with a City Union Bank ATM.

Post Office - The Department of Posts and Telegraph as established a Post Office within the campus for the students, faculty and nearby village population.

Canteen - The canteen at SASTRA provides the right ambience for informal get-togethers and serves a variety of culinary delights.

NSS – It is involved in:

• Tree plantation
• Temple cleaning
• Conducting free medical, dental and veterinary camps
• Blood donation camps

Village Development Programme - SASTRA has adopted the neighbouring Tirumalaisamudram village with a goal to transform it into a model village with 100% sanitation, education, employment, housing, etc.

Hospital - Medical treatment given by the nursing staff and doctor on campus is offered without charge to all students. Students are responsible for all other costs, including doctor visits off campus, prescriptions, laboratory tests, ambulance service, and hospital care. Students are responsible for their own transportation to a physician's office and/or to a hospital except in an emergency, when an ambulance will be called.

Bookstore - The Students run CANOPY, Higginbothams bookstore and Gurunath stores at SASTRA are other vibrant locations providing high quality cuisine, books, souvenirs and stationery.

Guest House - A well furnished guest house with adequate number of A/C and non-A/C rooms is available for visitors on prior request and subject to availability.

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Information compiled from: Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology, Research and Academy - SASTRA Website