The College is named after the famous illustrious son of India Dr. Sir M. VISVESVARAYA who was both an Engineer and a Statesman. He was known for his impeccable manners, disciplined behaviour and meticulous work. His contributions to the national development in the filed of Economics, Industry, Irrigation, Agriculture and Education etc. are unparalleled. It is no surprise that the Govt. of India honoured him with the highest Civilian Title "Bharath Ratna".

Sir M. Visvesvaraya was born on 15th September, 1861 at Muddenahalli, a small village in Kolar District, Karnataka State, India which is close to the College. He had his initial education at Chickballapur, graduated from Central College, Bangalore and had his engineering education at Pune. He came first in first for the whole of Bombay presidency for which he was awarded JAMES BERKELEY Medal for his achievement. He joined service as Asst. Engineer in P.W.D ., Bombay Govt. and raised to the position of Superintending Engineer and took voluntary retirement. He then worked as Special Chief Engineer in Hyderabad, Chief Engineer and Secretary, P.W.D., the Govt. of Mysore and then as Dewan of Mysore. After relinquishing the post of Dewan of Mysore in 1918, he served in different parts of India in various advisory capacities for over 4 decades. He breathed his last on 14th April, 1962.

His contribution to the development of the nation include establishment of Deccan Club at Pune; Improved water supply and drainage system at Sakkur; Introduction of block system of irrigation; Development of Automatic Sluice gates; Solving water supply problem and improvement of drainage system at Aden; Providing filtered drinking water to Pune; Providing modem system of sewerage for Hyderabad city; Construction of Railway lines in Mysore State; Construction of Krishnarajasagara reservoir; Establishment of State Bank of Mysore; Mechanical Engineering school, Commercial school and Industrial schools in all district Head Quarters; Kannada Sahithya Parishath in Bangalore; Starting of Mysore University (first of its kind in any princely state), Starting Iron and Steel works at Bhadravati and other small scale industries such as Sandal Wood Oil, Mysore Sandal Soap, Sericulture; Central industrial workshops; Public libraries; Hydro electric power at Jog Falls; Introduction of Village improvement schemes and rural industrialization schemes and Jayachamarajendra Occupational Institute etc.

He was honoured with honorary membership of London Institution of Civil Engineers C.I.E. (Companion of Indian Empire); K.C.I.E. (Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire) etc,. He was awarded several honorary doctoral degrees like D.Sc, LLD., D.Litt., from various Universities in India and fellowship of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

The Institution takes it as a great honour to be named after him and tries hard to emulate his principles.