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 46 faculty members and 33
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 765
B.Tech, 72 M.Tech. and 35 Ph.D. students on roll currently. The department has 17
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, novel composite materials, 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 provides opportunities for international internships for
UG/PG students in renowned universities like Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
(UTM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), The University of Newcastle,
Australia (UON) 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.
