Overview
SAS is located on Rajiv Gandhi Salai (Old Mahabalipuram Road) about 50 kms from Chennai in lush, sylvan surroundings, far from the madding crowd. Having said that, it is not too far from the IT Corridor and TIDEL Park where IT giants such as Wipro, TCS, INFOSYS and Cognizant, to name a few, have their offices. Chennai is the Detroit of South Asia with several automobile giants like Hyundai, Ford, Mahindra and Nissan–Renault. Besides these, there are also manufacturing plants making auto-ancillary components for 4-wheelers and 2-wheelers like the TVS group of companies and Simpsons. The strategic location of these companies is helpful to Arts and Science students for training as well as placements. In addition, there are also automobile testing centers located here. The recently proposed southern economic zone in Sholinganallur on the I.T Corridor is sure to attract more investments from both within the country and overseas. Many MNCs have their offices in Chennai. All of these factors certainly provide greater opportunities for young and enterprising engineers.
Combining old with the new, the ancient port city of Mahabalipuram with its world- renowned sculpture and architecture drawing tourists from far and near is only 7 kms from the college. Historical monuments and sightseeing spots are also found in abundance in the vicinity. The ancient Murugan temple town of Thiruporur is also situated nearby. Chennai boasts of the second largest natural beach in the world - the Marina. It is an attraction which draws huge crowds every evening especially in summer. In the recent years medical tourism has brought in a lot of tourists from abroad seeking economic and effective medical treatment in the several reputed hospitals in Chennai like the Apollo Hospitals, MIOT Hospital, the Madras Medical Mission, Lifeline Hospital and the like. The world class treatment and facilities offered at these hospitals have drawn the greatest attention both nationally and globally. Chennai is one of the 4 major metropolitan cities in the country. It has a number of industrial estates like the ones at Guindy and Ambattur besides the electronics estate in Thiruvanmiyur. The city is also famous for its shopping malls and plazas and the numerous theme parks which are an attraction for tourists. The Crocodile Bank and Boat House at Muttukadu, both on the ECR are tourist spots attracting the young and old alike.
Chennai is the cultural capital of India with music and dance an integral part of life. The December music season brings tourists and expatriates from far and near. It offers Carnatic music and dance programmes to the connoisseur of art and culture. Weather-wise, December and January are the best months in Chennai. Films are very popular in Chennai with the world of politics and films converging, to the extent of boasting of 3 Chief Ministers from the film world. Kollywood in Chennai is another name for Kodambakkam where the film studios are established. Film institutes, film schools and dance schools abound in Chennai.
Chennai is well connected by road, rail and air with all the main cities and towns in the country and its airport is one of the busy hubs on the world map. Chennai is situated centrally and is a gateway to various southern tourist destinations in Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Well connected to other states in India – North, East and West, one can visit any corner of the country from Chennai. Chennai boasts of world class educational institutions. There is a lot of scope for higher studies and research for students. Chennai has a number of research institutes where a lot of new research is promoted. Institutes like the Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar, the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, DRDO, IGCAR and the M.S Swaminathan Research Foundation are some of the research organisations of great repute.
