In the year 1946, the name of the institution was changed to The Central Polytechnic, Madras and the institution was then conducting seven full-time diploma courses of three years duration each in Civil Engineering Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Sanitary Engineering Printing Technology Cinematography and Sound Engineering Fisheries Technology and Navigation. The Printing Technology section was developed into a full-fledged Institution under the name of "Regional School of Printing, Madras" and separated from the Central Polytechnic during the academic year 1958-59. The Cinematography and Sound Engineering section was reorganised and developed into a full-fledged Institution called "The Institute of Film Technology, Madras" during the academic year 1960-61. In the beginning, Madras Trade School was located in a rented building. In course of time, separate building for the Institution was constructed and the Institution moved to its own building at Broadway, in the year 1924. Till the academic year 1957-58 the Institution was functioning at Broadway, Madras. Owing to the rapid expansion during the Second Five-Year Plan, the Institution had to be shifted in the year 1958-59 to Guindy, near the Industrial Estate, where new building was constructed at a cost of about Rs.14 Lakhs. But with further development of the Institution and expansion of its activities during the Third Five-Year Plan, the need for more spacious building and playgrounds etc., was felt, and only of land was available at Guindy which could not permit additional buildings being put up. Therefore, lands to the extent of 40 hectares were initially acquired in the present premises at Adyar, for construction of new buildings. This further led to the acquisition of another 3221 hectare to accommodate other technical institutions such as the Institute of Leather Technology, Institute of Textile Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, and the Institute of Film Technology, various other buildings have also been built during the year 1960-64. The Central Polytechnic College consists of the following buildings constructed at a cost of Rs.72 Lakhs: 1. Central Polytechnic Main Building 2. Workshops 3. Nehru Auditorium 4. Hostels to accommodate 250 students The well known director Shankar is an alumnus.
The Canada India Institutional Cooperation Project is a major Human Resource Development Project launched during the year 1991 through a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Govt. of Canada and the Govt. of India. The main objective of the Project is to train the staff of the Polytechnic Colleges to improve the quality and enhance the quantum of the human resource potential and to achieve development in Polytechnic Education System. The project was initially funded by the Canadian International Development Agency and initiatives formulated and executed jointly by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges and the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India. When the Project came to an end on 31 March 1999, the State Project Coordination Unit was formed and SPCU is taking steps to achieve holistic development in Polytechnic Education System. At present, 105 Polytechnic Colleges are participating in this program. Various job-oriented, need-based training programs are offered by the =Canada India Institutional Cooperation Project Polytechnic Colleges under Continuing Education Programs. It now offers short-term courses in:
