Delhi College of Engineering (initially established with the name- Delhi Polytechnic) came into existence in the year 1940 to cater the needs of Indian Industries for trained manpower with practical experience and sound theoretical knowledge. The Delhi Polytechnic consisted of a technical high school and specialized senior departments.

Prof. Walter William Wood, the father of technical education in India became the founder Principal of Delhi Polytechnic. The National Diploma awarded by the Delhi Polytechnic was considered equivalent to B.E. Degree by the then UPSC.

Affiliation to Delhi University
Prof. D.S.Kothari, the then Dean Faculty of Science Delhi University was on the Advisory Body of Delhi Polytechnic. He took initiatives and introduced B.E. Degree courses of 4 years duration after pre-engineering/ I.Sc. /F.Sc./ Ist yr. pass in B.Sc of Delhi University. The Delhi Polytechnic was affiliated to Delhi University and B.E. Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Textile Engineering was awarded to the students under Faculty of Technology, University of Delhi since 1952. B.E. degree in Civil Engineering was introduced in 1955.

A New Beginning
Up till 1962, the college was under the direct control of Ministry of Education, Government of India. In 1963, Department of Arts became College of Arts and Department of Commerce & Business Administration was converted to several institutes of Commerce & Secretarial Practices. Fragmentation of Delhi Polytechnic ultimately left behind an engineering institute alone. In 1965, the Delhi Polytechnic was renamed as Delhi College of Engineering and became the first engineering college of Delhi.

The journey of engineering education continued and the intake of the college was enhanced from 200 to 250 that year. Professor S.C. Sen, the then Principal, led the college successfully to become a unique institute of higher technical education and research.1972 exhibited an enormous growth in the academic activities of the college under the leadership of Professor R. C. Narayan. B.Sc. (Engineering) course of 5 years duration was introduced in Electronics & Communication Engineering. All the departments started M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs.

The year  1979 brought a change in the engineering curriculum. Introduction of 10+2 system demanded a change in the duration of B.Sc. engineering courses, which was reduced from 5 years to 4 years and the degree was renamed as B.E.

Department of Physics started M.Sc. course in Applied Physics in 1981 while Department of Chemistry started M.E. in polymer technology in 1985.

Since 1998, the department is offering four year B.E. course on Polymer Science & Chemical Technology. The department is also offering course on M.E. Polymer Technology since 1986. The department admits a few research scholars with scholarships from Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India. The annual intake of B.E. students is 40 which is likely to be increased to 60 in the next session. The annual intake of regular M.Tech. students is 18. Both B.Tech. & M.Tech. courses are interdisciplinary to prepare the technical manpower for chemical and polymer industry.

The department has 15 well-established laboratories on Applied Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Polymer Synthesis, Polymer Testing and Characterisation, Polymer Processing, Chemical Technology, Chemical Reaction Engineering, Textile Technology, M.E. Lab, CAD Lab, Research Labs, etc. B.Tech. and M.Tech. students carry out their minor/major projects in these laboratories jointly with experts from industry and teachers of the department.

The department has undertaken a few sponsored projects funded by AICTE, CSIR, UGC, DRDO, DST etc. The department has produced about 40 Ph.D.'s. The teachers of the department have published nearly 140 research papers in national and international journals. The faculty has written text books on Applied Chemistry, Latex Technology and Polymer Composites. The department had organised Curriculum Development Workshops in 2004, 2007, 2009 and has continuously updated B.Tech. and M.Tech. syllabi.

The department conducts annual technical festival TATVA in which the students and experts from industry participate in academic deliberations to enhance Industry-Institute interactions. Such useful interactions help the students for industrial trainings and job placements. The department has established world-class laboratories for undertaking joint research projects with industry, national and international universities. The department teachers undertake consultancy projects.

Each year, a few students of the department visit foreign universities for industrial training during summer and winter vacations.

Currently, the department is undertaking R & D projects in the areas of Biopolymers, Nanopolymers, Conducting Polymers, Polymer Blends and Composites, Bioactive compounds, etc. Recently, the Department has undertaken a India-Japan joint research project on conductive helical materials for technological applications. The Department has international student chapter of society of Plastic Engineers, USA, so that students interact with global scientists and industrialists in area of polymer science and technology. Dr. Archana Rani, Senior Lecturer, has filed two patents on synergistic anti fungal compounds.

Website: www.dce.edu

Contact Address: Delhi Technological University
Formerly Delhi College of Engineering,
Shahbad Daulatpur,
Main Bawana Road,
Delhi-110042.
India

Tel: 011-27871018

Fax: 011-27871023

Email: mail@dce.edu / dtuadmission2010@gmail.com

Office Bearers:

Vice Chancellor: Prof. P.B. Sharma
Administrative officer: Dr. K. Singh