The 145th Syndicate held on 27.02.2002 resolved to establish "Centre for Engineering Partnership" as an autonomous centre of Anna University Chennai. Afterwards the 184th Syndicate held on 12.10.2007 resolved to change of nomenclature of the "Centre for Engineering Partnership (CEP)" as "Centre for Affiliation of Institutions (CAI)", Anna University, Chennai - 600 025 consequent on the conversion of the University from Unitary to Affiliation type of University based on the item No.07.05.01 passed during the 7th Executive Committee meeting held on 21.09.2007. The primary function of the Centre is to facilitate granting of affiliation and to process other allied matters pertaining to the Engineering Institutions in Tamilnadu under its jurisdiction encompassing Chennai, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Thiruvannamalai, Vellore and Villupuram districts of Tamilnadu. Anna University of Technology Trichy and Anna University of Technology Coimbatore were established during the year 2006 comprising the engineering institutions situated in the respective districts. Thereafter, in the year 2007 Anna University of Technology Tirunelveli and in 2010 Anna University of Technology Madurai were also established comprising the engineering institutions of the respective districts. Further, in 2010 Anna University of Technology (AUT), Chennai - 113 was established. After the formation of AUT, affiliation work by CAI was closed during 2011.The Government of Tamil Nadu having decided to provide uniform professional education, the five AUT's (Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai and Tirunelveli) were merged with Anna University, Chennai during 2012.

       The Centre for Affiliation of Institutions was established with the objective of enabling the engineering colleges under its jurisdiction to achieve academic excellence by guiding them to equip themselves with qualified faculty members and state-of-the-art infrastructural facilities so as to produce competent engineers to meet the local and global requirements.

       The main activity of Centre for Affiliation of Institutions (CAI), Anna University (AU) is to verify the fulfillment of norms for the grant of affiliation to the Technical Institutions throughout Tamil Nadu under the jurisdiction of Anna University, Chennai.

       The administrative activities of the Centre are monitored and regulated by an Executive Committee whose members are nominated by the University. The Vice-Chancellor, Anna University Chennai is the Chairman of the Executive Committee. The role of the Executive Committee is to approve/ratify/plan the actions and financial matters of Centre for Affiliation of Institutions.

       The Vice-Chancellor has also nominated members in the Standing Committee on Affiliation (SCA) to scrutinize the inspection reports, suggest criteria and to make decisions on the grant of affiliation for the affiliated engineering colleges.

       The Unit officer of CAI is the Director who will be reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, Anna University. The Deputy Directors at Chennai, Regional Centres of Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai and Tirunelveli with supporting staff members will be assisting the Director in the activities of the Centre.