Mumbai University Institute of Chemical Technology

Infobox_University
name = Mumbai University Institute of Chemical Technology


established = August 4, 1936
type = Public
director = Professor J. B. Joshi
city = Mumbai
state = Maharashtra
country = INDIA
motto = Nurturing Brains Developing Minds towards a developed India.
undergrad = Info. needed
postgrad = Info. needed
faculty = 103 (sanctioned), 63 (At Present)
campus = Urban, 16 acres
website = [http://www.udct.org/ www.udct.org]
University Institute of Chemical Technology (UICT), Mumbai, India, is India's premier chemical engineering and technology research institute. Previously known as the University of Mumbai Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT), it was renamed as (UICT) on 26th of January 2002 in view of its autonomous functioning from the University of Mumbai. In a recent survey conducted by Prof. Jude Sommerfield of the Georgia Institute of Technology, UICT placed 1st amongst the top chemical engineering schools in India. The UICT produces nearly three times the number of high-impact research as its nearest rival, IIT Kanpur, and has been the top-ranking Indian chemical sciences institute since 1965.

Chief Distinctions

The number of research articles published per faculty member of UICT is greater than any other research institute in the world. In 2003, UICT was awarded the Indian Mercantile Chamber (IMC) Bajaj Quality Award. Headed by the renowned engineer Prof. J. B. Joshi, UICT has produced many notable alumni including Padmavibhushan Prof. M. M. Sharma; Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, Director, Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (India); Padmashree Dr. Paul Ratnaswamy, Mr. Mukesh Ambani, CMD, Reliance Industries Limited; Dr. Anji Reddy, Founder of Dr. Reddy's labs, Padmashree and Businessman of the Year 2001 by Business India amongst several others. Several awards and honors have been bestowed on the faculty, alumni and the students of UICT. These include Fellows of the Royal Society (2), Bhatnagar awardees (3), Fellows of the Indian National Science Academy (11), Fellows of Indian Academy of Sciences (13), Young Scientists Medal of INSA (3). Highly coveted Civil Honors such as Padmavibhushan (2), Padmabhushan (5) and Padmashree (8) have been bestowed on UICT faculty and alumni. Prof. M.M.Sharma former Director of UICT has also received the Life Time Achievement award by the Indian National Academy of Engineering.

Faculty

UICT faculty members obtain several research grants through national institutions and international collaborative research programs. International collaborative programs are a common feature in UICT. Indo-US, Indo-French, Indo-EU, Indo-SA, Indo-Netherlands programs have been instrumental in producing several outstanding research contributions in both fundamental and applied science. Some of the important on-going international collaborations include [http://www.akzonobel.com/com/ Akzonoble] , Ensic-Topulouse, [http://www.purdue.edu/ Purdue University] , [http://www.bham.ac.uk/default.asp University of Birmingham] , [http://www.huntsman.com/pu/ Huntsman Polyurethanes] , [http://www.rug.nl/corporate/index Groningen University] . Some of the important collaborators of UICT include the Department of Atomic Energy, India; Dr. Homi Bhabha Research Centre (BARC), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), [Biorad] and Reliance Industries Limited. .

Industrial consultancy is another unique feature of UICT faculty members. The core goals are as follows: to realize and utilize the fruitful research at the implementation stage, to focus the research to the directly relevant areas with potential commercialization, solve specific technical problems faced by the industry, nurture industry-academics interactions and attract competent and highly qualified technocrats to occupy faculty positions at UICT. Interestingly, many faculty members pay out their salaries through the one-third share of the consultation fees to the University.

The UICT faculty and alumni have been associated with the central and state governments. UICT provided the first central minister Shri Manubhai Shah, Minister for Heavy Industries in the cabinet of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The alumni participate in several Government committees like those of Department of Biotechnology, Department of Science and Technology, MHRD, AICTE, etc. The involvement of UICT in framing of National policies can be judged from the fact that alumni and faculty have been members of such bodies as the Planning Commission, Scientific Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister, to the Cabinet, to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. Thus, the UICT enjoys a prominent position in Academic, Industrial and Government circles.

Notable alumni

*Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries Ltd.
*Dr.Anji Reddy, Founder, Dr. Reddy's Labs, Padma Shri
*K.H. Gharda, Founder, Gharda Chemicals
*Man Mohan Sharma - Fellow Royal Society, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Sir S.S. Bhatnagar Prize
*R.A.Mashelkar, Director General, CSIR, Fellow Royal Society, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Sir S.S. Bhatnagar Prize
*N.S.Sakhseria, Managing Director, Gujarat Ambuja Cement
*V.B.Samant, President and CEO, Vical, former COO Merck Vaccine Division (PharmaVoice interview April 2006 http://pharmavoice.com/search/details.asp?art_id=633)
*H.N.Sethna, former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission
*B.D.Tilak, former Director National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Padma Bhushan, Sir S.S. Bhatnagar Prize
*V.G.Rajadhyaksha, former Chairman Hindustan Lever, former Member Planning Commission

Campus

UICT is spread over 16 acres. The main building faces Nathalal Parikh Marg and has a beautiful architecture with fine dressed stone. The lush green gardens of the UICT are a matter of pride especially to the UICT gardeners. UICT gardens have bagged several prizes at the City level. Other buildings, three boys hostels, one ladies hostel, faculty and staff apartments are located behind the main building, the backside boundary runs along Kidwai Road. In a nutshell, the UICT has a penchant for excellence and its grand portico symbolizes Portals of Excellence.

Library

Being located in the heart of Mumbai city, Professor M.M. Sharma Library attracts a variety of readers, students, scholars, technologists and industrialists. The library has a specialized collection in the field of chemistry / chemical engineering / chemical technology and possesses some of the rarest reports and books. It has 38200 books, 25290 journals and 10000 standards and subscribes 120 international and 25 national journals. In addition there are 3000 theses, 925 reports, 16000 microfilms/ microfiches and 30 CD-ROMs. It has MOU with BONET for participating in exchange program devised by MISSAT, DST, New Delhi.

Hostels

Several on-campus hostels provide accommodation to students from all educational streams. Hostels enhance manyaspects of the college atmosphere.

There are 5 hostel buildings which cater to the students' need of accommodation.
* Old boys hostel
* New boys hostel(G+7)
* New Girls hostel
* Post Graduate (P.G.) hostel
* Old Girls Hostel has been converted into an open hostel for everyone.

Old Boys Hostel

The old boys hostel was established in 1952. With a capacity of about 160 students and four faculty flats, it has been a home for some of the finest brains of the nation. It has 48 single seated rooms and same number of double seated rooms. Recreational facilities such as T.T. room, Carrom room, Reading Room, TV room, Library have been instrumental in developing students as all-rounders. Other facilities include Washing Machines, Geyser, Solar water heater, etc. The hostel is managed by hostel committee headed by the Warden, Prof. V.C.Malshe, who himself is a past resident of this hostel and now lives in one of the flats. The students of this hostel as well as New Girls hostel enjoy their food in 'A mess'. Wadekar aka 'Mama' has been serving the mess since 40 years. He is the senior, beloved veteran.

UICT: Ranking by Georgia Institute of Technology

Publications and Research Rankings Of Indian Chemical Engineering Schools During The Period Of 2001-2006, as reported by Prof. Jude Sommerfeld, Georgia Institute of Technology

External links

* [http://www.udct.org/ Official UICT website]
* [http://www.udctalumni.org/ Official UICT Alumni Association website]
* UDCT Community Websites

* [http://rangotsav.googlepages.com/ SCT Dept technical event RANGOTSAV website]

** [http://www.udct.org/info/spirit-vol1-issue1.pdf/ The Spirit: Official Newsletter of UICT Premier Issue Oct 2006.]