About ICT | ictalumni.org

About ICT

Institute of Ceramic Technology (ICT)

Institute of Ceramic Technology (ICT) established in 1965 was inaugurated by the then Honorable Minister of Industries & commerce for Tamil Nadu. The institute was offering certificate course in Ceramic technology for the first two years since its inception, and from 1968 institute started offering Diploma course in Ceramic Technology. This transformation was initiated to reinforce and strengthen the demands that were increasing in the field of Ceramic, Enamel, Glass, refractories etc.

The ICT formed in the midst of a Ceramic Industrial Estate at Vriddhachalam was unique as this was administered by the Department of Industries and Commerce for the development of small scale ceramic industries in this part of Tamil Nadu. Notable among them was the Tamil Nadu Ceramics Ltd(TACEL) , comprising of a famous art pottery, a Sanitary Ware manufacturing facility, and Stoneware pipe producing unit , all were functioning adjacent to the Institute. The products manufactured in these facilities were in huge demand in India and exported to different countries till late 90’s. These factories under the scope of the Tamil Nadu Government employed about 2500 people, and were all producing man made products. Within a vicinity of 25Km from Vriddhachalam, two other reputed industries M/s Neiveli Ceramics and Refractories Ltd(NEYCER) and Seshasayee Industries Limited (SIL) functioned at Vadalur. All this gave the ICT students the advantage and the opportunity of having practical nuances of ceramics and the various processing techniques adopted for manufacturing of traditional, structural and advanced ceramic & refractory products.

The institute offers only Diploma in Ceramic Technology as a sandwich technical course. As part of the curricula the students after completing the instructional (institutional) course have to undergo in-plant training in ceramic industries to possess practical knowledge. The curriculum provides the students with a broader overview of basic information and principles necessary for an understanding of Ceramic materials and their production. The curriculum has been designed to include study on related subjects like Chemistry, Geology, Ceramic engineering, Pottery technology, Enamel, Fuel Technology, Furnace Engineering, Instrument technology, etc. and management subjects like Business Administration, Book Keeping and Factory Laws. This gives the students acquired knowledge to set up their own units and also increases their employability within the ceramic industries. The uniqueness of this course study is the equal weightage given to the practical demonstration of the various techniques in the ceramic technology processing. During the final year the student has to undertake and complete a project as partial fulfillment of the course work. Until 2017 thousand plus students have successfully passed out of this Institution since inception. Some of ICT Past Students have enhanced their educational qualifications and have obtained post-graduation and doctorates in Ceramics by undergoing research in the electronics, advanced ceramics, functional ceramics, Glass technologies, advanced refractories, specialty materials and the likes.

The institute also has a Hostel where the outstation students are accommodated. A staff quarters within the Industrial Area also exist to house the staff members and their family. To give equal opportunity and women empowerment initiated by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the Institute started intake of women candidates into the Diploma course since 1993. ICT undertakes testing activities to support the small scale industries of the Industrial Area. Due to the continuous demand in the ceramic industrial section, the intake of the students has increased over a period of time and since 2006 every year 50 students (10th pass) and 10 students (+2 pass) are admitted in the first and second year (lateral entry) respectively.

The Institute has the pride of having its alumni employed in leading Ceramic industries and premier National and Industrial Research Institutions throughout the country and a sizable numbers of the alumni are well placed in different parts of the world. ICT alumni have been successful entrepreneurs not only with in Vriddhachalam Industrial area, but also outside the state and few have been notable industrialist outside the country. Meritorious awards and prizes were instituted and given to outstanding students by leading ceramic industries like W.S. Insulators, Neycer, Kuttalam Charities, (Gold medal award instituted by our alumni Mr. Raja and others) during different period of time to encourage the students.