European Study Tour

European Study Tour to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in January 2019

A group of 45 members consisting of students from the various colleges of the Pillai Group of Institutions along with a few faculty members went on an educational tour to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in January 2019. The tour was led by Dr. Daphne Pillai. In Paris the students visited the Notre Cathedral, Les Invalides, Military Academy, Champ De Mars, Arc De Triomphe, Champ Elysees, Grand Palace, Parliament House and the Orsay Museum. The highlight of Paris was the visit to The Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum. The students also attended a session at the acclaimed Leonardo Da Vinci University.

In Brussels the students visited the Train Museum / Auto World (Manufacturing Unit) and the Atomium.

In Amsterdam, the students visited the Royal Coster Diamond Factory (Manufacturing Unit) and the Clog Factory at ‘De Zaanse Schans Wooden Shoe Workshop (Local Manufacturing Unit) & Clog Museum, Windmills at Zaanse Schans, Zaans Museum & Verkade Pavilion. The highlight of Amsterdam was the visit to Heineken Factory (Manufacturing Unit) and Yakult Factory (Manufacturing Unit) for a customised tour and a visit to Madurodam.

It was an enriching and learning experience for the students as they explored foreign cultures and witnessed first hand the myraid influences of history on these world famous cities.

European Study Tour to Italy in January 2018

A group of 40 members consisting of students from the various colleges of the Pillai Group of Institutions along with a few faculty members went on an educational tour to Italy in January 2018. The tour was led by Dr. Daphne Pillai. The tour covered the cities of Rome, Florence, Pisa, Bologna, Turin and Milan. The tour consisted of industry visits to the Ducati factory, Gelato ice-cream factory, traditional pizza making factory and the Ferrari and Lamborghini museums.

The students also attended a session at the acclaimed School of Management & Economics at Turin.

The students also visited the Colloseum, Trevi Fountain, Roman Forum in the city of Rome, Vatican City, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Duoma, Uffizi Gallery and Palazzo Vechio in Florence.

European Study Tour to Spain in February 2017

A group of 45 students from the various colleges of the Pillai group of Institutions along with a few faculty members went on an educational tour to Spain in February 2017. The tour was led by Dr. Daphne Pillai. The tour covered the cities of Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona.

The tour consisted of industry visits to the world famous Dannone factory, Chemo factory among others. The students also attended a talk on Entrpreneurship by Prof. Balvinder Powar at the IE University, a top international university in Spain recognized worldwide for its quality in teaching and learning.

The students also visited the City of Arts and Science in Valencia, and some iconic buildings and churches famous for its Gaudi Architecture, the Olympic Stadium, Ramblas Area and the Barceloneta beach.

The students also witnessed a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch one of the world’s greatest football teams, FC Barcelona play live at the Camp Nou Stadium on the 19th February, 2017.

European Study Tour to Italy, France, Switzerland and Spain in June 2016

Mahatma Education Society’s, Pillai Group of Institutions organized an International Industrial Visit to Europe from 12th to 23rd June, 2016 for its Engineering and Management students. Students from Mechanical, Automobile, Electronics Engineering and Management students visited four countries – Italy, France, Switzerland and Spain. The group of students, 27 in number was accompanied by the Principal, Ms. Nivedita Shreyans – PRO, MES., Mr. Padmakshan P. – Sports Incharge and Ms. Swati Ghosh – Placement Incharge of PiMSR.

During the visit, the students got an opportunity to visit many automobile museums and factories. Prominent among them were the high end automobiles of Ferrari, Lamborghini and the Ducati in Modena / Bologna, Italy. They could get a comprehensive view of the technological development in the field over the last so many decadesup to the latest LaFerrari, the first mild hybrid from Ferrari, providing the highest power output of any Ferrari whilst decreasing fuel consumption by 40 percent; Lamborghini cars including the Miura S and its iconic “eyelashes”, the 350 GT, the Countach S, the Jalpa, the Espada, the Sesto Elemento, the Reventón and the other exclusive supercars. Students also witnessed the fascinating inside view of the production facility step by step of the Ducati bikes.

The students also got an opportunity to stand beside the operator and follow the entire manufacturing and testing of ARDUINO circuit boards at System Elettronica at Strambino, Turin. Arduinois the system of microcontrollers revolutionizing the maker movement and pioneering the concept of openssource hardware in Electronics and is extremely popular with electronics students and enthusiasts. The students could follow the entire production and testing process starting from mass produced copper sheets and leaving identifiably as Arduinos, colored blue and white. They could see the circuit design etched, components mounted with automated pick and place machines in a nearby facility, while the electronic infrastructure is finished by hand, each board tested and then the products packed.

Our next destination was Geneva, Switzerland where we were taken around in a guided tour of the Palais des Nations, the United Nations office at Geneva. It was overwhelming to see

The Broken Chair, a monumental sculpture in wood by the Swiss artist Daniel Berset, constructed by the carpenter Louis Geneve left a deep impression in the minds of the students. It symbolises opposition to land-mines and cluster bombs, and acts as a reminder to politicians and others visiting Geneva.

The students could also ascend the Aiguille du Midi, Europe’s highest cable car, and a manmade wonder of the world, for spectacular views of Mont-Blanc.

Our next destination was Tolouse (France) where students were taken to a enthralling world of aeronautics, a guided tour of mock up centre of A 330XWB, A 350 and A 380 Airbus. The entire assembly line of both Airbus 330, and 380 could be seen by the students. The entire tour was conducted under the direct supervision of Mr. Francis Meyselles, International Director, Asia Pacific. This helped us access to areas normally inaccessible to a general visitor. The visit opened a world of knowledge and potential opportunities to all the students.

The final destination of our trip was Barcelona Spain, famous for its football club. The students visited the Camp Nou and the FC, Barcelona museum. The students also visited the Estrella Damm beer factory. In addition to the brewing process, the business and technological arrangements with other breweries were also elaborated. The tour ended with a visit to the Catalunya F1 circuit where students were taken to Formula racing car track. Mr. Albert official from F1 circuit Catalunya explained the students about the event management strategies adopted during the, “The day” event. The group was taken to various strategic locations on the track like the commentary room, the control room during the race, the media interaction room, the winning podium after the race. Students also got a chance to see live bike racing pre-qualifying round. It was a very exciting experience for the students.

The whole tour was highly rewarding technically and intellectually. Students also had lot of fun elements during sightseeing along with the study tour. It was a great combination of practical knowledge based study tour, and also exploration of various countries in the world in Europe.