The Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Group, located in Perambalur, is acquiring Shri Andal Alagar College of Engineering (SAACE), a private institution situated in Chengalpattu that was established by the late actor and politician Vijayakanth. Although the exact value of the transaction remains undisclosed, sources indicate that it may exceed ₹150 crore.
Recently, the JJ College located in Tiruchi was taken over by Sowdambika institutions. In a similar vein, a prominent college in Salem was acquired by an institution based in Coimbatore. Approximately twenty years ago, the Jeppiar group took over Maamalan and SRR institutions.
Sources indicate that the trend of larger colleges acquiring smaller ones is likely to persist, as there is a significant number of such institutions within the state, and the smaller establishments struggle to maintain their operations.
The AICTE-approved Shri Andal Alagar College of Engineering (SAACE) provides a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. These courses encompass specialisations such as Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Information Technology, Power Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, among others. According to online sources, the institution offers approximately 400 seats for admissions.
Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Educational Empire stands as one of the largest multicultural educational centers in South India. It offers a wide array of educational programs ranging from Arts & Science and Engineering to advanced research in Medical Sciences. The group has established campuses in Perambalur, Trichy, and Chennai.
The primary campus located in Perambalur encompasses an area of 450 acres, which includes various institutions and hostels, according to the information available on the college’s website.
Tamil Nadu boasts one of the largest numbers of colleges in the nation. Under the auspices of the Department of Collegiate Education, approximately 1,632 Arts and Science colleges are operational, comprising 172 Government colleges, 161 aided colleges, and 1,299 self-financing colleges, as stated in the Tamil Nadu Higher Education Department Policy Note for the academic year 2025-26.
Additionally, the State is home to 463 Engineering and Architecture colleges, which include 11 Government colleges, 20 affiliated with Anna University, three aided colleges, and 429 self-financing institutions. Each year, approximately 150,000 engineering seats are offered in Tamil Nadu.