Sona Group Of Institutions Bags Three National Awards

The Sona Group of Institutions in Salem has achieved an impressive milestone by securing three prestigious national awards in the education sector.

The National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR) set up by the Union Ministry of Education in 1967, recognised both Sona College of Technology and Thiagarajar Polytechnic College as ‘Outstanding Institutions’ for their notable contributions to engineering and polytechnic education.

NITTTR is a deemed-to-be university for enhancing the quality of technical education in polytechnics and engineering colleges.

Additionally, Dr A Gandhimathi, a faculty member from Thiagarajar Polytechnic College, was honoured with the National Teachers Award 2024 for her exceptional contribution to teaching English to Polytechnic students with Tamil as their mother tongue and medium of instruction in school.

These accolades reflect the unwavering commitment of the Sona Group to excellence in education and the development of skilled professionals ready to meet the challenges of the modern world.

National Teachers Award 2024: Dr A Gandhimathi Honoured by President Murmu
Dr A Gandhimathi, an English language faculty member from Thiagarajar Polytechnic College, Salem, has been awarded the prestigious National Teachers Award 2024 by President of India Mrs Droupadi Murmu. The award ceremony, held on Teachers Day, September 5, 2024, in New Delhi, was attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, his cabinet colleagues and senior government officials. Dr Gandhimathi’s innovative teaching techniques have not only inspired students but also earned her recognition for unique student-centred approach that has contributed to a 99% success rate among her students.

Dr Gandhimathi, one of 16 recipients from engineering colleges and polytechnics nationwide, expressed her gratitude, saying, “Being honoured by President Murmu is the greatest recognition I could ask for. This award reminds the teaching community of our higher purpose—preparing young talent.”

Dr Gandhimathi had the privilege of meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spoke about the transformative role of teachers in nation-building. His words reinforced her commitment to making a lasting impact on her students. “His emphasis on the importance of mother tongue and English proficiency in education deeply resonated with me,” she said.

Having earned her doctorate in English Literature, Dr Gandhimathi is celebrated for her pioneering efforts in initiatives like the Student-Centric Learning and Tech Talk programs, which have made a profound difference in both the classroom and the wider community. In addition to her teaching, she has excelled in professional development, completing nine NPTEL courses—earning four Gold and two Silver medals, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning and excellence in education.

With a doctorate in English Literature from Periyar University, Dr Gandhimathi has authored 22 research papers and published 10 articles.

Sona College of Technology: Outstanding Engineering Institution Award
Sona College of Technology, Salem, was awarded the Outstanding Engineering Institution Award for 2023-24 by NITTTR from the Governor of Punjab Gulab Chand Kataria. The award was presented on September 7, 2024, during NITTTR's 57th Annual Day celebrations in Chandigarh.

The honour recognises the institution's exceptional learning environment, research focus, and industry-academia collaborations. Professor Dr SRR Senthilkumar, Principal, who received the award from the Governor of Punjab, emphasised the role of collaboration and faculty efforts in achieving this recognition.

In addition to this accolade, Sona College recently achieved high national recognition in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), being placed in the Top 11-50 band for Innovation Institutes and the 151-200 band among engineering colleges. The college was also granted NAAC A++ accreditation with a CGPA of 3.65, a distinction earned by only a handful of institutions nationwide.

Chairman C. Valliappa added, “This award validates its leadership in innovation and research and the efforts of our faculty and their commitment to preparing professionals who will excel in new-age technologies.”

Thiagarajar Polytechnic College: National Award for Outstanding Polytechnic Institution
Thiagarajar Polytechnic College, Salem, received the Outstanding Polytechnic Institution Award for 2023-24, presented by NITTTR during the same ceremony on September 7, 2024. Principal Dr V Karthikeyan accepted the award from the Governor of Punjab, in the presence of Dr. Binod Kumar Kanaujiya, Director of the National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar and Dr B BR Gurjar, Director, NITTTR.

This national recognition highlights the polytechnic’s commitment to academic excellence, innovative teaching, and student success.

In addition to this honour, Thiagarajar Polytechnic College is one of the few institutions to be granted mentorship status under the CII-AICTE program, a prestigious initiative aimed at enhancing institutional quality through industry mentorship. This status reflects the institution's strong focus on industry-relevant education, ensuring that its graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of the modern workforce.

Dr Karthikeyan, reflecting on the award, stated, “Our 150-plus faculty members have continuously worked towards nurturing well-rounded professionals. This recognition further strengthens our resolve to maintain the highest standards of education.”