The Indian engineering education industry is transforming, especially in states such as Telangana. Earlier dominated by rote learning and congestion, engineering colleges are now shifting towards student-centricity through experiential learning, skills acquisition, and international exposure. Hyderabad, the technology capital of Telangana, has emerged as a center for innovation-based education with its close proximity to Hitech City, startup culture, and international IT enterprises. Today, students are no longer content with merely earning a degree, they want industry-skilled employees, global exposure, and all-around development.

In this changing scenario, student support mechanisms have become the differentiator. From research affiliations and merit scholarships to mentorships and start-up incubation, visionary institutions are establishing avenues for academic and personal development. Hyderabad Institute of Technology and Management (HITAM) is one of those institutions that has been a pioneer in this transformation. With a close focus on experiential learning and student well-being, HITAM has created a model where education is not only instructed but enacted. “Engineering education must prepare students for life, not just jobs. That’s what we aim for at HITAM”, says Dr Sohum Sohoni, Director, Hyderabad Institute of Technology & Management.

A Vision-Driven Institution of Excellence
Founded in 2001 as the Royal College of Engineering, Hyderabad Institute of Technology and Management (HITAM) was conceived by Prashant Arutla, a budding entrepreneur driven by his family’s legacy of public service. Hailing from a lineage of freedom fighters such as Arutla Ramachandra Reddy and Arutla Kamala Devi, Prashant established HITAM with the purpose of changing the fortunes of rural and lower-middle-class youngsters through quality engineering education. First situated in Medak, the organization shifted to Madchal for ease of access and still maintains its initial social mission.

HITAM is affiliated to JNTU-Hyderabad, approved by AICTE, and accredited by NAAC with A+ grade, with several BTech programs also NBA-accredited. The institution provides undergraduate courses in Computer Science (with AI/ML and Data Science), Electronics and Communication, Electrical and Electronics, and Mechanical Engineering. The distinguishing factor for HITAM is its Integrated Twinning Program (ITP), a special academic program in which the students spend three years at HITAM and the last two years in the United States universities. The five-year route results in a BTech from JNTU as well as an MS from a U.S. university at a much lower cost than conventional international education.

HITAM’s engineering orientation is extremely experiential. From the very first year, students solve real-world problems through initiatives such as the EPICS collaboration with Purdue University. The college practices ‘Doing Engineering’, a methodology of learning where theory and practice are integrated through and through over the four years. Faculty development is yet another pillar of HITAM’s quality assurance. One-third of its faculty members are PhD holders, and another third are working towards it.

Additionally, the college invites subject-matter experts and industry specialists on a regular basis to support practical learning. Interestingly, HITAM has collaborated with Aalborg University in Denmark, which is a world leader in problem-based learning, to educate its teachers in contemporary teaching methods. “We set high standards and provide the appropriate support systems for our students and faculty to meet those high standards”, says Dr Sohum Sohoni.

Modern Infrastructure, Industry Links, & Entrepreneurial Spirit
HITAM provides not just a functionally state-of-the-art campus but an eco-friendly one as well. The first ISO-certified and LEED Silver–rated institutional green campus in India, it features IoT-equipped labs, libraries, hostels, Wi- Fi areas, auditoriums, and recreational spaces. An activity block with separate areas for IoT, robotics, and inter-disciplinary projects adds to learning-by-doing. A new hostel and renovated auditorium have also been recently added to accommodate the increasing number of students. The college has a number of Centers of Excellence and Student Skill Development Centers (SSDCs) that are department-specific. These centers supplement the gap between classroom teaching and practical needs, making the students employable in India as well as foreign countries. Industry interaction is a part of the HITAM culture. The college has entered active MOUs with IIIT Hyderabad, TASK, Tractix, MEIL, and others to enable internships, live projects, and placements.

AI, Data Science, and IoT students work on advanced projects on a regular basis, and collaborations with University of Alabama and IIIT-Hyderabad provide access to aerospace and AI research. Entrepreneurship is not only promoted but institutionalized. HITAM has an in-house Section 8 company to finance student startups for equity. T-Hub, one of India’s largest startup ecosystems, has the incubation center working hand in hand with it. Innovations such as the AquaSkimmer, an environmental boat to harvest plastic trash, and a smart aquaponics system have been given state accolades and commercialization funding.

Also, HITAM is among only four Indian institutions chosen for the Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP) by the United States’ National Academy of Engineering. The program fosters cross-disciplinary problem-solving and international collaboration. HITAM has already graduated three batches of students under GCSP, a notable milestone worldwide for the college.

At HITAM, education is not a product, it’s a process of transformation rooted in purpose, integrity, and impact

Future Vision
In the future, HITAM is seriously striving to be granted university status, which will give more freedom in curriculum planning and in aligning with industry needs. The administration looks forward to the day when HITAM achieves its goal of serving as a role-model institution while still retaining its lean, student-centric culture and providing personalized attention, even as the institution grows in quality and with international partnerships. Infrastructure growth in the future involves state-of-the-art labs, a Miyawaki forest for well-being and sustainability, and upgraded residential facilities.

A big push is also being undertaken to increase the Integrated Twinning Program, whereby more students receive international exposure at limited additional cost. The institution still focuses on inclusive, value-based education that combines academic excellence with social responsibility.

Awards & recognitions
• Governor’s Award for the Aquaponics Project
• Intinta Innovator Award