R&D sector in India is all set to witness some robust growth in the coming years. According to a study by management consulting firm Zinnov, engineering R&D market in India is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 14 percent to reach $ 42 billion by 2020. Though the growth of this market is highly based on the organizations accumulating engineers but the foundation for doing any research is set up from educating the minds. There comes the role of educational institutes such as M.S Engineering College. "Our institute is working on sponsored projects of Rs. 2 crores," mentions Dr. K. S. Badarinarayan, Principal, M.S Engineering College. Established in 2002, the four major activities that differentiate and steer the growth of this institution are academic excellence, R&D, consultancy & training and internal collaboration.

The R&D Department of the institute has a special centre to carry out funded research works known as Centre of Excellence (CoE). This centre deals with projects in underwater communication, visual information systems, renewable energy sources, smart systems, neuro engineering and data analytics with funding and support from leading MNCs and research organizations. CoE promotes interdisciplinary research and develop technologies that can provide solutions to societal needs. Every year this centre proposes 25-30 projects that are taken up by UG and PG students and grants of Rs. 50,000 is provided to each project for successful completion. IPR cell at R&D centre supports students in patent search, drafting and filing of application. Development of smart systems for monitoring the thought process in physically challenged persons, bio inspired models for autonomous navigation, under water sensors for directional sensitivity and real time virtual lab are some major research projects undertaken by students of the institute.

The training and consultancy cell provides necessary inputs, industry relevant training and opportunities to closely interact with industries, researchers and leading organizations to be abreast with current industry requirements. Every faculty member is trained according to industry requirements and these trained faculty members provide training to industry persons under Corporate Training Programs. MSEC recruits faculty members with multi disciplinary skills and encourages them to pursue research of national importance. Having faculty strength of 125, every department has more than 15 faculty members with an average experience of six years. The Faculty Research Empowerment (FRE) Scheme supports faculties to submit a proposal to management to setup lab facility in their area of interest and a grant of Rs. 5 lakh is provided to each faculty to setup the research lab thereby encouraging more research activities. The faculty members take up consultancy projects such as intelligent inverters for smart grid, data analytics for E-learning courses, 2D/3D imaging for smart cities, E-learning resources for electronic product design. The centre is also working on nano bio sensors for prostate and cervical cancer in association with international universities and other institutions in India.

"We have introduced an Incubation Promotion program which incubates three companies every year," claims Dr. Badarinarayan. The Cell has received a grant of Rs. 50 lakhs in support with DST under IEDC scheme, to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. Every year the institute conducts MSEC technology incubation fest and invites students to participate in design competition. The best projects are evaluated and a fund of Rs. 5 lakhs is provided for students to convert their project ideas to commercial viable products. Silk reeling machine, Softwash and FreshOMeat are the some of the most successful organizations incubated and established in the market. MSEC has signed MOUs with 20 leading institutions in India and one of the leading international Universities. Students and faculty members are encouraged to apply for sponsorship programs and avail the support to travel abroad to enhance their skills under faculty-student exchange program.

MSEC maintains MOUs with National Entrepreneurship Network and has formulated NEN cell having student members. MSEC-NEN cell conducts awareness program on entrepreneurship every academic year and conducts workshop on creativity, innovation, business plan proposal writing, digital marketing, frugal innovation, managing business, small and medium enterprise, successful entrepreneurship and other topics. The institute holds nodal centers offering VLSI and Embedded Systems Design Course. Industry-academia meet has been organized and industry experts from Robert Bosch, Cypress Semiconductors, FTD Solutions, and leading industries are invited to campus to provide inputs on expected skill requirements from industry. Thus, MSEC conducts pre – placement training program which includes quantitative skills, verbal, aptitude, analytical, logical, reasoning, group discussion and mock interviews. Prominent recruiters such as IBM India, System Controls, Mico Bosch visit the campus every year and recruit students offering average and highest annual remuneration of Rs. 2 lakhs and Rs. 3.25 lakhs respectively.