developing projects leading to publications in national/international journals and conferences. Established an RandD centre at the institution level to promote research and innovation among the faculty and students. The centre helps in developing co-operative and complimentary research among various Departments under BMSCE to explore advanced technologies. The centre acts as the liaison between the university (VTU and Mangalore University) and the research centres at BMSCE. The centre also guides and facilitates in writing of project proposals, and scientific papers leading to publication as well as in identifying the research outcomes of research for filing patents. Since academic autonomy, the institution has provided with an excellent opportunity to create, revise, redesign or introduce innovations in the curriculum. Threading this path, the Institution foregrounded the concept of research amongst the students from the first year of their program. The centralised labs and design centres titled propel labs were established for nurturing research from the first year of engineering. These labs are broad based and not confined to a single area/discipline. Student groups (multidisciplinary) work on various engineering projects in these labs - concept to designing the prototype. The Propel labs are open for students of all disciplines with no terms or conditions attached. Each Lab is headed by a faculty and supported by competent technical staffs who volunteer to act as mentors for the students and ensure that students conduct the research. Creative thinking skills of the students and mentoring by faculty guides result in the development creating systematic processes and products. These research labs help the students to build prototypes which enable them to participate in competitions both in India and abroad. Student Life Utsav Annual Cultural Fest Utsav is the cultural and signature festival of the BMS College of Engineering. It is usually held towards the end of August every year. Started in 1973 by a group of students, it has attracted considerable media attention and numerous sponsors over time. There are participants from institutes in other states like IIT Madras and IIT Bombay. Some of the events that pulled the crowds on day two were the rock concert and gaming competitions. Bands like Parousia, Escher’s Knot, The Bicycle Days, All the Fat Children, Requiem and Solder were among those that entertained the city’s rock music fans. The fest also features events like western and Indian dances, quizzes, technical events, theatre, Mad Ads, face painting, debate, dumb charades and rangoli.