SINHGAD INSTITUTES: Affiliated to excel in academics

With over 90,000 students, Singhad Institutes, founded by Prof M N Navale in 1993, are setting a benchmark in education. It has gradually grown into a vibrant centre of excellence.
The institute has 12 campuses in Pune, Mumbai and Solapur with 85 institutes and 26 schools offering quality courses, and covers a variety of disciplines like Engineering, Management, Pharmacy, Architecture, Computer Applications, Law, Health Sciences, Hotel Management, Junior and Senior Colleges, and Education.
Sinhgad Institutes have been approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi, COA, PCI, MCI, DCI, NCI, OT / PT council and BCI for various professional courses. All courses offered are affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University, Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education, Mumbai University, Solapur University and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik.
Excerpts from an interview with Prof Navale:

Elaborate on the current education scenario in Pune.
A diverse city, Pune is the cultural and educational capital of Maharashtra, and is also known as the Oxford of the East. A massive industrialisation drive and booming IT sector saw people from all parts of India make Pune their home. Great infrastructure, picturesque locales, superior connectivity and good healthcare turned Pune into one of the most favoured destinations to live.
Students from all over the country flock to Pune to pursue their dreams. From engineering to law, the city offers renowned and world-class education ?in every discipline. Savitribai Phule Pune University is recognised as a prestigious centre of excellence. Prominent affiliated colleges include the College of Engineering, Pune, established in 1854; and the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College.

Are NRIs showing interest in these educational institutions? What are the popular courses they opt for?
 
The facilities in Pune are comparative with the best in the world and most Pune institutions are very rich in intellectual capital. Pune today is one of the most favoured education destinations in the world.
A large number of students come here from various parts of the world, including the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific region and from various parts of Europe. We have seen a distinct rise in students coming from the Gulf over the last five years.
NRIs and foreign students come to India for both graduate and postgraduate education. These include Engineering, Medical, Pharmacy, Architecture, Law and Management (BBA / MBA / BMS) education.
Increasingly, many students are doing doctoral studies in Pune with world-class facilities being provided by the likes of Sinhgad Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
 
Is Pune also emerging as an international education hub in India? If so, what are the reasons?
 
Currently over 15,000 international students from over 100 countries study in Pune in various institutions under the aegis of Pune University. The continued support of the government, Ministry of External Affairs and the education department is propelling this number further every year. The progressive academic infrastructure and research facilities make Pune a unique education destination.
Pune is a highly developed industrial city, which is coming to be known as the IT hub of western India. The city has immense career opportunities and growth prospects. A combination of culture and business is a highlight for this city, encouraging many youngsters to make it their home.
The developing cosmopolitan outlook of this city helps foreign nationals feel at home. With many natives settled in various neighbourhoods and a host of restaurants serving authentic world cuisines, Pune will never make you miss home. With great infrastructure, a warm culture and mouthwatering delicacies, Pune continues to be a hot favourite amongst international students.
 
What are your plans for expanding your offerings for NRIs?
 
Sinhgad Institutes are reaching out to the entire world with quality education delivered with a holistic vision. We have a dedicated facility known as Sinhgad International Students Centre that helps foreign students and NRI applicants right from application and admission to graduation.
Sinhgad Institutes promotes inbound and outbound international education initiatives, including a host of student and faculty exchange programmes with international universities based in Europe and the US. We have signed an MOU with UCLA's Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, and Harvard Business Publishing to enable learning at their campuses.