The department of Civil Engineering took genesis along with this institution in 1958 and is now one among the oldest and the most dynamic Engineering departments in the state of Kerala. The Department of Civil Engineering offers Under Graduate, Post Graduate and Doctoral programmes. It is a Centre for Quality Improvement Programme (QIP) of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and also offers doctoral programmes (full time under APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and Part Time Doctoral Degree Programme affiliated to the University of Kerala). The research and developmental activities are funded by the AICTE, TEQIP, the Institution of Engineers (India), the Kerala State Council for Science and Technology, and the Centre for Engineering Research and Development (CERD). Ever since its inception, the department has been a hub of academic excellence giving great emphasis on consultancy works and attention to research activities, leading to the status of accreditation for the UG (6 years) and PG programmes (2 years) by NBA. Today it is ranked one of the best in the state, with its alumni being forerunners in the professional diaspora in different parts of the world. Every year, the department produces the finest graduates in Kerala, who are highly sought-after by the professional community. The department is blessed with state-of-the-art facilities and highly qualified and experienced faculty members. The department, in addition to the academic activities, serves as an authorized testing and consultancy centre for industries and the general public. The list of clients associated with the department include Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd. (KMML), Kerala Public Works Department (KPWD), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Harbour Engineering Department, Kollam Corporation, Employee's State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Indian Railways, Kerala Water Authority, Nirmithi Kendra, Steel Industries Limited Kerala (SILK), Local Self Government Department Kerala (LSGD), Indian Rare Earths and many private agencies. The services offered by the department include structural design, detailing, testing, forensic investigations, field inspection and monitoring, surveying, site investigation report and expert opinion in various issues related to building construction, structural, geotechnical, transportation, environmental and water resources engineering.
The Department maintains strong ties with industries by mutually sharing knowledge related to current developments in technology and by accepting its inputs in drafting the syllabi of the academic programmes. It works on a vision to impart holistic and research oriented education in Civil Engineering, in conformity with global standards while adhering to environmental sustenance. The department was at the forefront of the Rebuild Kerala initiatives of the Sate Government launched after the Kerala floods of 2018, offering technical expertise to various government agencies. The faculty of the department has representation in various bodies of the University, which include the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Board of Studies of UG and PG, and plays a major role in formulating the curriculum. The alumni are well placed in different parts of the world and many of them pursue higher studies. The department has earned a name for the high ethical standards it has set in academic and professional practices
The Department of Civil Engineering also organizes the International Conference on Modeling and Simulation in Civil Engineering (ICMSC) once in every two years and this serves as a platform for debate and deliberations on the state of the art techniques and practices in the field of Civil Engineering. It pursues a noble vision of bringing the research community together to find sustainable solutions for various challenges facing the nation and humanity. The Fifth International Conference on Modeling and Simulation in Civil Engineering (ICMSC 2019) received wide appreciation (135 papers) by receiving submissions from ten prestigious foreign universities, IISc and five IITs apart from several other institutes.
On the social front, Department of Civil Engineering came up with a noble initiative “Back to Home” to rebuild flood engulfed houses after the emphatic flood havoc in Kerala in August 2018 and 2019. With the strong support of the college alumni, the Department assisted in the construction of 12 houses for the poor and affected families.
The success of the department is the outcome of the teamwork of its competent faculty, skilled staff force and the vibrant student community. Above all, it is the continuous effort towards improvement and keeping up to its vision and mission that sets apart the Department of Civil Engineering, TKM College of Engineering, Kollam from others.
