Private engineering colleges excel in filing patents

From 1996 to 2015, Anna University affiliated engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu filed 337 patents of which 30 were granted till date. Coimbatore region topped the list with 222, followed by Chennai (108), Tiruchirappalli (4) and Madurai (3). 

The Thandalam based Rajalakshmi Engineering College leads the list in Chennai zone with 19 patents and St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, Semmancheri, ranked second with 14. 

Commenting on research and filing of patents in her college, Dr Thangam Meganathan, Chairperson, Rajalakshmi Engineering College said her college was involved in various research projects from the institution’s inception. “Our students,  especially post-graduates, work with the faculty on research leading to patents. We have a dedicated patents cell and research advisory board, which helps students and the faculty file patents,” she said. Commenting on patents and research in private institutions, Prof. S Vaidhyasubramaniam, Dean (Planning & Development) at SASTRA University, Thanjavur, said higher educational institutions provided an intellectually fertile ground to germinate ideas, processes & projects that have a bright future potential. 

“Hence there is a growing need to build safeguards for intellectual protection. This is a welcome signal that needs to be nurtured leading to a successful patent grant. 

SASTRA University successfully secured a US Patent in 2015 for its idea to transmit secure information through traditional Rangoli (Pullikolam). This patent application was made in 2009,” he added.