Sourashtra Engineers & Technologists Net (SETN)
Vision & Purpose SETN is a community initiative serving the Sourashtra community, especially engineers, technologists, professionals and students. Its core goals are: • To provide educational support to meritorious and financially needy students in the Sourashtra community. • To create a network / forum for professionals (local, NRI) to mentor, guide, and share knowledge with younger students — in skills, career, employment opportunities, etc. • To serve as a platform for workshops (e.g. on soft skills, communication, job readiness), scholarship disbursement, and other educational aids.
Key Activities • Scholarship / Financial Assistance: SETN invites applications from Sourashtra students in degree, postgraduate, professional and arts colleges. Financial aid is given to deserving students. For example, in the June 2025 semester, 993 students were selected for scholarships totaling approximately ₹47,64,669. • Workshops & Career Guidance: For final-year students, SETN organises workshops to build aptitude, communication, soft skills, resume writing, interview preparation, etc. An example: a workshop on 22-23 April 2023, for students of Madurai Gandhi NMR Subbaraman College for Women. • Bridging Experts & Students: Experts from various disciplines (engineering, academia, industry) volunteer to be mentors / guides. Their details are published on SETN’s ‘experts list’, and students can consult them via the forum. • Involvement of Sponsors & NRIs: Individuals or organisations sponsor students. In many cases, NRIs and overseas Sourashtrians contribute. The website has a mechanism for sponsorship forms, and public lists of sponsors and beneficiaries are published for transparency. • Recognition & Awards to Students: SETN runs academic-excellence awards. For example, an “Academic Excellence Award 2025 sponsored by Malli Vidyalaya” for final-year undergraduates.
Structure & Operation • SETN is run by a core team / co-founders who are Sourashtra professionals and technologists. Names include Er. K. B. Neelakantan, Er. S. R. Balasubramanian, among others. • It has a digital presence via its website, blog, forum, and communication channels (Telegram etc.) for announcements and engagement. • The application cycles are semester-based (odd / even semesters), with deadlines for submitting scholarship or sponsorship requests and selection processes.
Impact & Achievements • Thousands of students have benefited over semesters. For instance: in one recent cycle, 1375 applications were received, out of which 993 students were supported. S • The total amounts disbursed run into crores if accumulated over many semesters: e.g. ₹47,64,669 for one odd-semester. • Strong community involvement: Sponsors from abroad (Singapore, USA, etc.), collaboration with educational institutions, and involvement of students from many colleges. • Er. Dilip Babu Settin is one of the major sponsor through SETN since 2024 • Dhaan Organization, USA has been supporting through SETN since 2021 • SETN’s workshops help enhance non-technical skills (communication, soft skills, resume building) which are often gaps for many students in technical and professional streams.
References: 1. SETN https://souengrs.com
