Nestled in a sprawling 25-acre campus in Salem, Tamil Nadu, stands Narasu's Sarathy Institute of Technology (NSIT), a NAACaccredited engineering college affiliated with Anna University, Chennai. NSIT owes its vision to Late ‘Narasu's’ R.P. Sarathy Ayya, born in Salem in 1931. A successful industrialist and philanthropist who has various businesses, he expanded his business empire, diversifying into various industries like coffee, spinning mills, flour mills, jewellery, and more, with his dedication, hard work, and business acumen. He also won the highest and most honest taxpayer award Rashtriya Samman by the Income Tax Department for five years.

However, Sarathy's vision extended beyond business. He believed education was the key to societal development and contributed to various schools and colleges in and around Salem. At the age of 75, he decided to dedicate his time to educational activities and set out to start an engineering college to provide quality technical education and create employable and ethical engineers. Sarathy established NSIT in 2008 under Smt. Mahalakshmi Ammal Educational Trust, named after his beloved mother.

Over the past 15 years, NSIT has grown into a reputed institution offering Undergraduate programs in Computer Science, Mechanical, Electronics and Communication, and Electrical and Electronics Engineering, B.Tech in Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, and M.Tech in VLSI Design and Computer Science and Engineering. In addition, NSIT offers innovative certificate courses in Block Chain Technology, Advanced Python, Machine Learning, and other cutting-edge technologies. The institute conducts seminars and guest lectures on various topics, including Cloud Computing, Renewable Energy, Embedded Systems, and Web Designing, thus providing students with industrial exposure. “Our Bloom's taxonomy based teaching methodology, together with innovative tools and pedagogic practices, ensures practical knowledge and blended learning", adds B. Nitish Harihar, Chairman of NSIT.

Holistic Learning to Create Employable Engineers
NSIT believes in providing a holistic learning experience, which helps students excel academically and equips them with practical skills. Besides promoting quality enhancement processes like ‘Concept a Day’ where students present technical concepts to their peers and student clubs and professional organization memberships, NSIT encourages active participation in

industrial visits, internships, mini projects, work shops, sports, and extra curricular activities.

The training and placement cell at NSIT provides placement training right from the first year, covering communication skills, quantitative aptitude, GATE coaching, and mock interviews. ‘Memberships of CII and Salem Productivity Council help us understand industry needs and prepares our students to be employable engineers”, highlights Nitish. As a testament to these efforts, NSIT received the ‘Best Engineering College for Quality Placements & Industry Connect Award’ from K. Ponmody, Minister of Higher Education of Tamil Nadu, in 2022.

NSIT’s entrepreneur development cell helps students turn their innovative ideas into successful business plans. NSIT also fosters industry-academia collaboration through MoUs with core industries for live projects, internships, certification courses, and industry visits, resulting in around five to six student startups supported by the institute’s management each year.

State-of-the-art Campus & Experienced Faculty
NSIT's campus is a meeting point of innovation, state-of-theart facilities, experienced faculty, and motivated students. The campus includes a beautiful auditorium and sports facilities for cricket, football, volleyball, badminton, and more. WiFi enabled classrooms with projectors and interactive touch screens enhance the teaching-learning experience. NSIT's library houses over 25,000 books and NPTEL and NDLI content. As a registered center for Swayam online learning, NSIT encourages students and faculty to complete certificate courses annually. The experienced faculty members at NSIT, with over 50 percent holding doctorates, mentor students toward academic excellence. They engage in professional development through FDPs, workshops, conferences, and certifications and contribute to college events, funded projects, R&D, and CSR.

Guiding First-Generation Rural Students Towards a Bright Future
NSIT offers merit scholarships to high-achieving students in 12th grade, class toppers, sports achievers, and national/ international competition winners. To make education accessible to all, the institute provides fee concessions to single-parent families and differently abled students. NSIT also facilitates state and central government scholarships and guides first-generation rural students in applying for bank loans.

Consistently improving as an educational institute, NSIT now aims to achieve autonomous status and NBA accreditation. The institute’s vision includes securing IPR projects and funded centers of excellence along with campus automation for attendance, fee payments, and transparent student-friendly systems. On the alumni front, NSIT shall continue conducting regular alumni meets to encourage them to graciously contribute through guest lectures, placement referrals, and recruiting their juniors for entrepreneurial ventures.

Today, NSIT stands tall as a testament to Sarathy's legacy. His unwavering commitment to quality education, hard work, and business ethics continue to inspire students and educators alike. As the sun sets over the campus, the spirit of NSIT, fueled by the vision of its founder, shines bright, illuminating the path of knowledge and excellence for future generations.