University College of Engineering Kakinada (Autonomous), JNTU Kakinada was originally 'The College of Engineering, Vizagpatnam' at the time of its establishment in the year 1946 by Government of the Composite Madras State.

During World War II, after the bombing of Visakhapatnam by the Japanese planes on April 6th, 1942, the Andhra University was shifted to temporary premises in Guntur for the academic sessions to continue without interruption. During that transplantation phase, the University received permission from the Madras Presidency for opening the much sought after engineering college. The college was opened in sheds at Kakinada as an expedient measure.

Prof. A. Viswanath, MSc (Engg) (Lond)., First Principal (July 1946 - March 1947), from our college, he was transferred to Arthur Hope College of Technology, Coimbatore as the 3rd Principal (Apr 1947 - Sep 1950). Under his able guidance, a new research scheme "Development of heavy duty parts of internal combustion engines by precision casting, lost wax and centrifugal processes." sanctioned to the Arthur Hope College of Technology, Coimbatore by the Indian Council of Scientific & Industrial Research on March 18, 1950.

Prof. VH Sadarangani, BSc(Edin)., MIE., Second Principal (Apr 1947 - 1952), interestingly, earlier he was Second Principal (Dec 1946 - Apr 1947) for Arthur Hope College of Technology, Coimbatore.

It is now a sprawling campus of 110 acres, green with mango trees in the fast developing Port city of Kakinada. Kakinada has a rich political literacy and cultural heritage passed on through generations. This college became a constituent College of the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad w.e.f 02-10-1972. The College has become autonomous in the year 2001. On 20th August, 2008 it became a constituent College for the newly established JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY KAKINADA.