The Department of Civil Engineering was established in 1961 as one of the pioneer departments of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Regional College of Engineering & Technology (SVRCET). Initially, Bachelor of Engineering programme was offered by the department. The nomenclature of the programme was changed to Bachelor of Technology in 2002 after conversion of SVRCET to Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat (SVNIT) as a premier technical education institution. The B. Tech. programme in Civil Engineering is accredited by the National Board of Accreditation, New Delhi in TIER I category of institutions. The syllabus of the under graduate programme in Civil Engineering is designed to inculcate the core theoretical and practical fundamentals of the subjects along with professional ethics and human values.
In addition to the under graduate programme, the department also offers post graduate programmes with specialisations in Water Resource Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Urban Planning, Transportation Engineering & Planning, Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Technology & Management. The research programme leading to doctoral degree is also offered in diverse areas of civil engineering. The department is hosting about 112 full-time research scholars in addition to part time research scholars. Very soon, department will host the post-doctoral research fellows to boost advance research. The Department of Civil Engineering at SVNIT Surat focuses on an overall inclusive growth of students to make them professionally competent and socially relevant.
One of the unique features of the UG programme is opportunity to study final year at Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-Bombay) under early induction in M tech & PhD program. The Department of Civil Engineering, SVNIT Surat has entered into an MoU with the Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay to facilitate five (max) students of B Tech Civil Engineering programme at SVNIT to IIT Bombay for their final year study. More than 20 students have been benefited by this scheme since 2015 and doing exceptionally well in the field of research and development.
All these academic activities of the department are effectively handled by 46 faculty members; including adjunct, guest and visiting faculty members; with specialization in various areas of civil engineering.
The Centre of Excellence in 'Water Resources and Flood Management' is established under the aegis of the Department of Civil Engineering, wherein the high-end research and development activities related to Hydraulics, Water Resources Engineering and Flood Management are undertaken to benefit the society at large.
The department has also been recognised for its academic, research and development activities at the regional, national and global levels. The department has hosted one DST Inspire fellow and presently hosting one DST Inspire Fellow. The department has research collaborations with Queensland Technical University Australia, University of Salford Manchester, London South Bank University London, Royal Academic of Engineering UK, Technical University Munich Germany, University of North Carolina Charlotte USA, Toronto Metropolitan University Canada, and Florida Atlantic University USA. The department has signed MoUs with national laboratories like CSIR- Central Road Research Institute, CSIR-Central Building research Institute and major industrial groups like L & T. The graduates of the department at bachelor, master and doctoral programs have explored advance career opportunities in premier technical institutions and organisations in India and abroad.
The faculty members are contributing towards development of codes of practices published by the Bureau of Indian Standards and Indian Roads Congress. The department has very active and successful professional association with several government and industrial organisations through extension activities like research projects, consultancy assignments, training programmes, workshops, conferences and advisory services. Department is also facilitating activities of various professional societies like Indian Building Council, Indian Plumbing Association, Indian Concrete Institute, Institute of Urban Transport (India) and Indian Green Building Council.
The faculty of the department are recipients of renowned awards and fellowships. The department has an impressive publication record in peer reviewed international and national indexed journals and conferences.
After completion of challenging and eventful journey of six decades with the help of immeasurable contribution of its students, staff and faculty members, department is looking forward for newer challenges and opportunities to show its mettle for solving developmental issues related to environmental conservation, economic efficiency and social equity.
