Alagappa Chettiar College of Engineering and Technology (ACCET-Karaikudi) is an autonomous (with effect from 2009) college of engineering in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India. Established in 1952, it is under the control of the government of the State. The college is a member institute under the TEQIP - Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme in India (11 colleges were selected from Tamil Nadu). Dr. R.M. Alagappa Chettiar founded Alagappa Chettiar Educational Trust with the aim of developing the backward area of Karaikudi into a centre for higher education. On 21 July 1952 ACCET started with three faculties - Civil, Mechanical and Electrical and Electronics Engineering. The foundation tablet for the main building of the college was laid by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the President of India, on 19 February 1953. The college has become a constituent college of Anna University from 2001. The college has been recognized as a research centre and about 25 scholars are pursuing research. Postgraduate courses were offered from 2002. "ACCET on the map". Wikimapia. Wiki. http://wikimapia.org/108847/Alagappa-Chettiar-College-of-Engineering-and-Technology-ACCET-Karaikudi. Retrieved 2008-10-28.