Overview
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Technological University (APJ AKTU), commonly known as Kerala Technological University (KTU), is a state public university headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. The university serves as the affiliating body for the majority of professional engineering and technology institutions in Kerala, both government and self-financing. It was named in memory of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the eleventh President of India and a noted aerospace scientist.
Key Facts
| Name | A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Technological University |
|---|---|
| Former name | Kerala Technological University |
| Type | State public university |
| Location | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India |
| Named after | A. P. J. Abdul Kalam |
| Jurisdiction | State of Kerala |
Background
Before the establishment of the university, engineering colleges in Kerala were affiliated to the various general universities in the state, including the University of Kerala, Cochin University of Science and Technology, the University of Calicut, Mahatma Gandhi University, and Kannur University. This led to differences in curriculum, examination patterns, and academic schedules across the state. The Government of Kerala set up a single technological university to bring all engineering and technical education under a unified academic framework, modelled in part on similar technological universities in other Indian states.
History
The university was established by the Government of Kerala through legislation and began functioning as Kerala Technological University. Following the death of former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam in July 2015, the university was renamed in his honour. With the renaming, the institution adopted the name A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Technological University, while continuing to be widely referred to as KTU.
Affiliation
On its formation, engineering colleges across Kerala that were earlier affiliated to other universities were progressively brought under KTU. The university took charge of curriculum design, conduct of common semester examinations, and award of degrees in engineering and allied disciplines for affiliated institutions across the state.
Academics
The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in engineering, technology, architecture, management, and related disciplines, along with research programmes leading to the doctoral degree. The B.Tech programme follows a credit-based semester system common to all affiliated colleges. The university also conducts the M.Tech, MBA, M.Arch, and Ph.D. programmes through its constituent and affiliated institutions.
Administration
The university is governed by a Vice-Chancellor appointed under the provisions of its enabling Act, with the Governor of Kerala serving as the Chancellor. Statutory bodies such as the Board of Governors, Academic Council, and Finance Committee oversee academic, administrative, and financial matters.
Significance
APJ AKTU is one of the largest affiliating technological universities in southern India by number of affiliated colleges. By centralising the academic and examination system for engineering education in Kerala, it has standardised technical education delivery in the state and serves as the principal recognising authority for engineering degrees awarded by Kerala-based institutions outside the autonomous and deemed-to-be-university categories.
Related Topics
- A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
- Education in Kerala
- University of Kerala
- Cochin University of Science and Technology
- Mahatma Gandhi University
- List of universities in Kerala
- Thiruvananthapuram
References
- Wikidata entry: Q18387794
- Government of Kerala, Department of Higher Education.